9. Bobby Portis Jr.
Bobby Portis has changed the narrative of him as a player in Milwaukee. These days, the Bucks reserve big man is viewed as a winning player and key ingredient for a contending team.
He won a championship in his first season with the Bucks and helped fill in for Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. The following offseason, Milwaukee gave Portis a $50 million contract, rewarding him for his play and attitude, both on and off the floor.
He’s been the perfect teammate for Milwaukee, as we’ve seen him fight for his teammates and stand up to opponents, when they’ve done unnecessary histrionics that were below the belt.
Oh, the irony.
Portis started with the Bulls in 2015 and showed real promise, albeit in limited minutes. However, in his second season, he ultimately turned his back on his teammate in practice.
He and Nikola Mirotic were challenging one another and doing a little jawing, up until Portis swung and hit Mirotic in the face, leaving him unable to get up. Mirotic suffered a concussion and fractured face and was out indefinitely.
In turn, Portis was suspended.
Several years later, the Bulls traded Portis, as President of Basketball Operations John Paxson explained that he didn’t see value in paying Portis when the team still needed a starting caliber small forward.
Portis clapped back on Twitter after the trade with three letters: ‘Lol’.
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) February 8, 2019
Later on, Portis took another swing at the Bulls, explaining that he was happy to be in Washington and play for a team that wanted him.