Bobby Portis’ concern about Giannis’ brothers comes with a caveat

Veterans Center Bobby Portis is convinced that Milwaukee The Bucks will surprise the NBA in the 2025-26 season and talked about what it’s like to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo’s two brothers, Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo. Portis agreed to a three-year, $44 million extension with the Bucks over the summer, securing his immediate future in Milwaukee as Giannino’s future with the team — beyond 2026 — remains uncertain ahead of the upcoming season.

Portis turned having Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who tore his Achilles tendon, back, according to FanDuel TV’s Run It Back.

“Actually, it’s been great, especially with TA (Thanasis Antetokounmpo) coming back,” Portis said. “He just works so hard for the team that it probably just goes unwritten. Great locker room guy. Hard worker. His energy that he brings. Sometimes as the 13th, 14th, 15th guy on the team, you’re not expected to play minutes. So you have to add value in other ways on the team to bring value to the team, and his energy is like a different team.”

After Alex Antetokounmpo’s new contract with the Bucks, Portis says he’s known Giannis’ other brother for years.

“I’ve known Alex for about six years. Alex is a good kid,” Portis added. “So having those two guys in the locker room probably gives us a good chance of keeping Giannis, for sure.”

Bobby Portis warns the NBA about the potential of the Bucks in the 2025-26 season

Bucks center Bobby Portis is warning everyone not to count his team out as a 2025-26 championship contender. Portis says the Bucks are taking an underdog mindset into the regular season and are eager to prove themselves in the Eastern Conference.

“We have a team full of guys who are kind of counted out. We have a team full of guys who can play, but their names aren’t big. So they don’t get full respect from their peers and around the league from members of the media and things like that. We’ve been watching this meme all summer like if you put your finger over Giannis and you look at a team full, but I see a team full of dogs. I see the team full.

“I see a team full of guys who can do a lot of different things with the basketball. We’re going to surprise a lot of teams this season. When we fast forward a few months, they’re going to talk about us differently,” Portis concluded.

The Bucks will host the Wizards in the regular season opener on Wednesday.