Bobby Portis has made it quite clear that he's fully embraced this new chapter of his career after being traded to the Miami Heat. And heading into his first season with the Heat, Portis has set out a very lofty goal for himself.
During a recent training camp interview, Portis said that he wants to win the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award. It's certainly a high bar to set for himself, but if he's even able to put himself in the conversation for such an honor, it'd help push the Heat one step closer to winning a championship this season.
“I feel like I can win 6th man of the year. That’s my goal this year. To be the best player off the bench this year.”
A huge season from Bobby Portis could help elevate the Heat
Portis throwing his name amongst the best players off the bench in the NBA isn't just going to help him accomplish this individual goal that he's set out for himself, but it would also help the Heat in a very significant way.
Especially considering that one of the big criticisms of the Heat, even after the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo, has revolved around their lack of depth, or about whether the team has a strong enough supporting cast, if Portis were to have a Sixth Man of the Year-worthy season, it'd certainly help change some of those perceptions around the Heat.
It could also make life a lot easier for head coach Erik Spoelstra as he searches for the right rotations (especially while balancing load management) in the regular season.
With Tim Hardaway Jr., a strong Sixth Man of the Year award candidate a year ago, already on the roster, and Pelle Larsson, an emerging young player, also in the fold, there's a path where the Heat could have one of the stronger three-headed bench mobs in the league.
Again, that's if Portis does come through with this bold proclamation.
At that point, the Heat, health permitting, would naturally go from a potential Eastern Conference dark-horse contender to a very legit threat. Assuming Giannis and Bam Adebayo can click fairly easily within Spoelstra's scheme, Portis making this type of individual leap could make a real difference for this team that almost every national media member seems to be doubting.
If the Heat suddenly have one of the better benches in the league, there's a path to this team becoming one of the more dangerous threats in the East (especially if their starting 5 can remain healthy). And just maybe, the Heat could be on a path to fast-track their path toward a champioship with Giannis.
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