Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the team has been in and out of peril this offseason. The rumors of his potential exit did not sit well with Bucks fans despite Antetokounmpo’s “all in” reassurance.
It all led to teammate Bobby Portis coming to the Greek Freak’s defense, trying to comfort the uneasy fan base. Appearing on ESPN Milwaukee, Portis handled the hot issue with ease.
“Yeah, I talk to Giannis all the time. That’s my teammate,” he answered after being asked about whether he’s been in contact with the Bucks’ superstar.
His demeanor while answering questions around Antetokounmpo’s trade rumors can be perceived as cold towards the idea, with Portis not wanting to beat around the bush.
“Giannis bleeds green. That’s all I can say,” he reaffirmed Antetokounmpo’s plans with a single sentence, trying to put an end to the constant media rumblings.
Giannis and Portis were central figures on the 2021 Bucks team that won it all. Fans want to see them recapture that glory. But roster shuffles and Damian Lillard’s recent exit have worried fans about whether another championship run will be possible in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era.
Portis is also posed with a similar question around the ceiling of this year’s Bucks.
“I mean, what’s wrong with our team? Why can’t we do it this year? The only thing wrong with us is people being hurt,” said Portis upon being asked how close this year’s roster is to 2021.
Fondly called ‘The Mayor’, he goes on to list the numerous injuries to him, Khris Middleton, and Antetokounmpo that derailed their chances in the years after the championship run.
Thus, he sees them as capable of achieving the same success that they did in 2021. For Portis, this year could very well be their year if they aren’t held back by injuries. He says that the team still has strong playmakers, strong dribblers, and players who are capable of creating their own shot. So it is beyond his understanding why there are any doubts around the Bucks’ ceiling this year.
“Business As Usual” For The Milwaukee Bucks
Portis’ reaffirmation comes almost a month after we reported on the Bucks’ President clarifying any doubts around Antetokounmpo’s future.
For the Bucks, any attempts from the Knicks or the Warriors will be thwarted. There is a unique bond between Giannis Antetokounmpo and his first NBA team, and it is still going strong.
It was earlier reported that the Knicks were holding back from signing Mikal Bridges’ $150M contract extension because they wanted to wait and see whether Giannis requests a trade. However, even they went ahead with the extension after realizing that the trade talks were nothing but media chatter.
The Warriors were also in the mix to bag Giannis Antetokounmpo and team up one of the best centers in the game with the arguably best shooter ever in Steph Curry.
But it looks like all these scenarios will be remembered as massive ‘what-ifs’ in NBA history because Antetokounmpo has happily accepted Milwaukee as his home for the foreseeable future.
