Despite his criticisms from the Milwaukee Bucks fan base over the last year, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been careful to not say the wrong things or to even come off as disrespectful to the franchise. Bobby Portis, on the other hand, hasn't shied away from speaking his mind.
During a recent training camp interview with 5 Reasons Sports, Portis opened up about how he feels his move from the Bucks to the Heat has been a breath of fresh air. In his answer, there's somewhat of a subtle shot (especially if you dig deep enough) at the Bucks.
“It suddenly hit me not playing with Milwaukee no more after playing with them for 6 years, felt like a breath of fresh air coming to an organization that’s all about the right things, that has a winning culture, a winning mentality, that’s what I want to be apart of. I’ve been a winner my whole life so coming to this franchise was a blessing”
It's his praise of the Heat that could come off as a slight jab at the Bucks, especially when he says "it's a breath of fresh air," talks about the Heat as an organization with "winning culture," and the fact that the Heat is "all about the right things."
It's certainly a sentiment that Giannis may also be thinking, but one that he would never admit. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Giannis and Bobby are getting a crash course on Heat culture
It's just not in Giannis' nature to come out as blunt as Portis just did, but that doesn't mean there isn't a culture shock taking place. You hear it in his words too, even if he isn't as direct. On the second day of practice, Giannis admitted that he's “never been a part of something like this."
That's the type of short comment that speaks volumes.
It's not what Portis said, but it's obviously toeing that line. Clearly, both Giannis and Portis (and likely all the other new players on the roster) are getting a crash course on the way Miami does things. Or, in short, Heat Culture.
For better or worse, there's a different intensity inside the Heat organization. There are higher expectations. A greater standard. It's not for everyone, but clearly Giannis and Portis are presumably embracing everything that's come with it. Perhaps most importantly, it seems as if they are fitting right in.
And Portis made that pretty clear with one of his most recent comments. Again, it could very well be a thought or feeling that Giannis shares, but one that he'd never admit. That's completely fair; there's no knocking that.
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