NBA FINALS: BUCKS VS. SUNS

July 20, 2021

Bobby Portis

Milwaukee Bucks

Game 6 Postgame

Milwaukee Bucks 105, Phoenix Suns 98

Q. The Milwaukee fans have embraced you so much, chanting "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby," all game long. What was it like winning a championship in front of those home fans that have especially embraced you this year?

BOBBY PORTIS: Man, it's great. Coming into this situation, you don't know what you're getting yourself into. But to sacrifice, the adjustments -- life is all about adjustments. When you make a decision and do things, you have to really sacrifice in that role.

With me coming here, it's been great. Having great teammates like Giannis, Khris and Jrue and all the guys that really just believe in you and embrace you. Having great coaches that really put you in position to succeed. And then having the best fans in the world. We had 80,000, 90,000 to 100,000 people. That's unheard of, to have that many people here supporting and knowing it's a long time since the Bucks have been in this position. They never wavered. They came and supported us. It's a great feeling, man, to be called a champion.

Q. What do you know about the history, the basketball history here, and have you been here long enough to feel like this is a second home to you?

BOBBY PORTIS: Sure. I'm from Little Rock, Arkansas, and it has the same type of feel, not a big-city feel. I don't know what the population is here, but it feels like home to me and I would love for it be to home.

I know Sidney Moncrief from here. Fun fact: Me and Sidney went to the same high school. He's from Little Rock, Arkansas. We went to the same high school and went to the same college and I'm a Buck now. That's pretty cool.

Q. You told us from the moment you got here why you wanted to come. That's the idea, to be here, but I guess you heard me ask P.J., when did you maybe get a sense that this was the place to come to be sitting where you are?

BOBBY PORTIS: I knew it was the right place when I made the decision. I knew it was right with my agent. Fun fact, like fun little quick story. During free agency -- actually before free agency, the Knicks turned down my team option and they wanted to sign me to another deal and it was pretty nice money. But I wasn't really worried about the money. You know, sometimes money isn't everything. It's about happiness. That's one thing God taught me as a rookie: Happiness is what it is. I found happiness here. When I first got here, I felt welcome and I felt loved. The guys made me at home and the coaches made me comfortable.

It was a nice place, easy system for me to fit in. I get to be myself every day, just be energetic. Guys on my team, they are kind of quiet guys. There's not many guys like me that are outgoing and really bring what I bring to the table with energy and things like that.

I just thought it was a match made in heaven. I'm a guy that, whether I'm making shots or missing shots, I go out there and give 110 percent to the team. I put my body on the line every day, sacrifice. Being around these guys taught me a lot. I've learned how to win again. I haven't won in a long time, but it sure feels good now.

Q. You have a decision to make, business-wise and happiness-wise. Did you anticipate this is a place you want to stay for next year?

BOBBY PORTIS: I haven't really thought about it, but it sure is, man. I love the Bobby chants: "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby." I wouldn't trade that for the world. I'm from Little Rock, Arkansas. The population of my town isn't that big. I want to rep it through and through. Coming from where I come from, all the interviews I do, it's a blessing to be in this position, to inspire kids from where I'm from to one day be me.

It's always a long journey in this league, man. You never know what you're getting yourself into, but my journey has brought me to Milwaukee and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but right now, I'm just worried about being called a champion and knowing where I come from. This has been a long journey to get to this point. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Q. Brook was up here talking about the selflessness and sacrifices you all make. What was it like when you weren't getting your run or your minutes?

BOBBY PORTIS: When you're on a championship-caliber team, when you're on a team that has championship aspirations, sacrifice is the biggest thing. I'm a guy that always had featured plays on my other teams I played on. I got plays called for me on the block. I got plays called for me to shoot the ball. I ain't had one play all year. I always dig the sacrifice.

So when you want to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy or wear these hats or shirts and say you're the champion, no one can take that from you. You have to sacrifice and learn how to be a star in your role. I had to learn to play off guys and do things and really hit my shots because I go from getting 12, 13, 14 shots on teams I played on to eight, nine shots here.

You know, it's all about sacrifice in life, man. When you want to get something out of something, when you want to win in life and win in whatever job you're doing, you have to sacrifice. I learned that this year and I learned how to win again. I learned how to impact winning. Get big offensive rebounds, kick-outs, getting 50/50 balls, learning how to play defense. Guys really questioned my defense, but I don't think you're really going to be questioning that no more at all.