By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Bobby Portis is no stranger to international ball, even if that’s his first time with the national team of the USA in a FIBA tournament.
Being a teammate of Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Milwaukee Bucks means that he knows and understands that basketball is a global game and it’s time for him to step on the international court as the US faces New Zealand on their first game for Group C (14.40 CET).
A gritty player fits the FIBA rules and the style of play.
“Sometimes in the NBA some players might get away with a little flopping and things like that”, he admits as the USA needs to re-establish itself in the tournament after the 7th place finish in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
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“This is a totally different team, not one guy who played in that FIBA World Cup team is on this team and we are just trying to re-identify ourselves, play for each other, play for the name in front of the jersey and that’s the biggest things in those tournaments”, Portis added.
And after all, the Bucks forward is already an international brand himself, having a fan club at least in Greece, due to his relationship with Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in the Bucks.
“Giannis and Thanasis are like my brothers and, during the season, I go through my social media and I see tons of fans from Greece, tagging me in photos, DMing me, so it’s pretty cool to see fans from all over the world being fans of myself”.