Losing stings. But when you think you’re taking lip from a 42-year-old guy off the bench on top of losing, things can get ugly.
Former Hog and current Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had such an exchange Wednesday night.
During the second quarter of the Bucks’ eventual Game 5 loss to Miami, benches cleared when Portis and long-time Heat center Udonis Haslem traded words. Officials stepped in before things became too chaotic, but the heat was clear.
Udonis Haslem had some words for Bobby Portis during the first half đź‘€
UD picked up a tech from the bench.pic.twitter.com/mdecoRbDes
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) April 27, 2023
The Bucks were eliminated about 90 real-time minutes later. Portis may have entered miffed considering Milwaukee was the No. 1-seed in the Eastern Conference.
Portis averaged 14 points and almost 10 rebounds a game during the regular season. A technical foul to him was the last thing Milwaukee needed.
Haslem is in 20th year in the NBA. You don’t have a career that long without knowing a thing or two about the mental aspect. Especially true when you haven’t played in more than 16 games in a season since 2016 and haven’t been a regular starter since 2013. Literally 10 years.
Regardless, the Gator beat the Hog on Wednesday.