Bobby Portis is the long-term answer at center for the Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks </a>are suddenly rolling. They are looking more like the reigning NBA champions, and the ever-growing impact of Bobby Portis has been a main factor why.</p> <p>Portis was among those injured to begin the 2021-22 campaign, but now that he’s healthy (and with Brook Lopez being sidelined with a back injury since opening night), the former Arkansas Razorback has blossomed in his promoted role with the Bucks.</p> <p>Since being inserted into the starting lineup, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/portibo01.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Bobby</a> has been a more efficient, consistent complement in the frontcourt, which has propelled Milwaukee to its current six-game win streak.</p> <h2>Bobby Portis is the long-term answer at center for the Milwaukee Bucks</h2> <p>As Bobby Portis continues to thrive as the starting center for the Milwaukee Bucks, his stellar impact could result in earning the long-term role.</p> <p>After becoming an <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"http://hoopshabit.com/2021/06/26/milwaukee-bucks-bobby-portis/">influential fan favorite</a> across the Milwaukee Bucks fanbase as an energetic and heartful spark off the bench during the championship run, Bobby Portis hasn’t slowed down one bit.</p> <p>He’s averaging a career-high 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range through 15 games this season.</p> <p>Portis has started 11 straight contests and is averaging 28.0 minutes per game overall. Last season, the passionate big man only started seven non-postseason games and averaged 20.8 minutes per game. His productivity, volume, and consistency have all taken a massive leap in his second year with Milwaukee.</p> <p>His presence at the starting center position has given this team a more explosive pop offensively and it continues to generate success as the Bucks follow this win streak. It raises the question of whether Portis should become the next established starting center for the Bucks in the foreseeable future.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Bobby vs. Brook </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438782" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-438782" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2188,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1329285627.jpeg" alt="Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks" width="3200" height="2188" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1329285627.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1329285627-768x525.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 17: Brook Lopez #11 and Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrate against the Phoenix Suns during the first half in Game Five of the NBA Finals at Footprint Center on July 17, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Bobby Portis is the long-term answer at center for the Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez is getting older</h2> <p>Brook Lopez has been starting at center for the last four seasons with Milwaukee and has been nothing but a key part of the system, schemes, and winning culture that has developed there since signing with the team in 2018.</p> <p>This organization wouldn’t have won its second title in franchise history without the cleansing defensive anchor. Nevertheless, Lopez turns 34 years old in April and will become a free agent in the summer of 2023.</p> <p>The Bucks must consider the future of the position and its core, and Bobby Portis is proving that he’s capable of taking over when the time comes. At just 26 years old, Portis is still drifting into his prime while also improving on both ends of the floor each year. Besides, the blue-collar player has seemed to have found a home in the blue-collar city of Milwaukee.</p> <p>Evidently, the relationship has become a perfect fit, and it only makes sense for Portis to stay with the organization with an advanced role for many years to come. Bobby chose to re-sign with the Bucks on a team-friendly deal and decline more money elsewhere this offseason, and will likely become a free agent once again next summer.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Proving his worth </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438784" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="size-full wp-image-438784" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1354803942.jpeg" alt="Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1354803942.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1354803942-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 20: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Orlando Magic at Fiserv Forum on November 20, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bucks defeated the Magic 117-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Bobby Portis is the long-term answer at center for the Milwaukee Bucks: Bobby is proving his worth</h2> <p>While he’ll make $4.3 million this season, which might be the best value contract in the NBA, Portis is expected to decline his $4.6 million player option for 2022-23 in favor of earning a major payday. However, the Bucks absorbed Portis’ Bird Rights after re-signing him, so they’ll be able to offer more cash than any other team regardless of their salary cap situation next offseason.</p> <p>Milwaukee is positioned to retain the services of Bobby Portis for the long-term future, and it may have been set up that way all along. Either way, Portis should stay with the Bucks for years to come and eventually become the starting center on a regular basis, as the relentless forward continues to shine in his elevated role.</p> <p>Portis may not be an effective defensive anchor like Lopez, but he’s more productive offensively and has built excellent chemistry with the star core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday.</p> <p>The Bucks are 8-3 with Portis in the starting lineup this season, with Bobby recently having his best game as a Buck on Wednesday evening against Detroit. That one included 28 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-14 fields goals and 6-7 from three across 31 minutes.</p> <p>Due to his increased production, solid efficiency, gradual two-way growth, complementary abilities, beloved relationship with the city, and with Brook Lopez reaching the older stage of his career, Bobby Portis could be the long-term answer at the starting center position for the Milwaukee Bucks.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best in the NBA" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/19/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-13/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/27/bobby-portis-milwaukee-bucks-center/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/19/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-13/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Giannis Antetokounmpo is still the best in the NBA </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">