This is a huge blow for the Milwaukee Bucks. Bobby Portis Jr. has been suspended for 25 games after violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy by taking the drug Tramadol. This news comes as the Bucks are fighting their way back toward the top of the Eastern Conference standings after a slow start to the season. Portis, a key part of the Bucks rotation, will now miss most of the rest of the season. Let’s look at Portis’ suspension and one key player who will need to step up in his absence.
After Bobby Portis’ Suspension, This Player Must Step Up
Bobby Portis Suspended for Tramadol
They are saying it was just an honest mistake. Supposedly, Portis took Tramadol unintentionally. He was dealing with an elbow injury and thought that he was using the NBA-approved Toradol. On accident, he ended up taking Tramadol, which he was prescribed but is on the list of banned substances by the NBA.
Portis put out a statement saying,
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation. During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I’m responsible for what I put in my body.”
It sounds like an honest mistake, but it will be a costly one. Portis is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds this season for the Bucks, on 46.3% shooting from the field and 36.4% from three. He has been a key part of the Bucks’ offense and identity since landing in Milwaukee in 2020.
Kyle Kuzma’s Time to Shine
The Bucks are certainly going to have to adjust to a Portis-less rest of the season. However, they recently acquired Kyle Kuzma in a trade with the Washington Wizards, and he is a perfect candidate to take on more responsibility. Kuzma had been wasting away on the Wizards while they tanked and was extremely excited to get an opportunity to play on a team that was trying to contend.
Portis’ suspension, however, throws Kuzma in the deep end quickly. Not only has Kuzma not needed to play important basketball for years, but he is now all of a sudden needed as an essential piece in Milwaukee.
Kuzma’s Slow Start in Milwaukee
It may take some time for Kuzma to get comfortable in a new system. He hasn’t played with other superstars since his time playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the Lakers. He had a great season last year. Kuzma was averaging 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game but has fallen off a cliff this year. Kuzma averaged 15.2 points while shooting a dismal 28.1 % from three this year for the Wizards.
His start in a Bucks uniform hasn’t been that much more impressive. He has only cracked the 20-point mark once in his first five games and is 7-for-25 from three. A new player on a new team certainly should get some grace to adjust, but with the Bobby Portis suspension, Kuzma is going to have to learn fast.
Photo credit: © Brett Davis-Imagn Images
