Milwaukee, WI

Nickel: There’s a lot to appreciate about Bobby Portis this season, including how he reworked his jump shot

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

Nickel: There’s a lot to appreciate about Bobby Portis this season, including how he reworked his jump shot

There’s a lot to appreciate about Bobby Portis this year, and 82 things to appreciate about him this week. But there’s one thing that maybe has been overlooked a little bit this whole time he’s been in Milwaukee: his shot.

The 6-foot-10 power forward actually changed it a lot, with the help of someone he affectionally call an “OG.” Marcus McCarroll, who first met Portis almost 20 years ago, has two winter coats. One for his hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, and another for Milwaukee.

“The Arkansas one doesn’t work well enough in Milwaukee,” McCarroll said with a laugh.

In February during the all-star break, Portis didn’t rest – though he had every reason to. Instead, he met up with McCarroll, his longtime friend, mentor, fitness trainer and former youth coach. McCarroll came to Wisconsin to work with Portis, taking advantage of the down time by putting in the extra work, even if it meant sneaking out to the gym late at night after rest.

Bobby Portis played in every game this season

And that work is partly why, for the first time in his career, Portis played in all 82 regular-season games this season.

“It’s been cool, man, just to be available for my team,” Portis said after practice early this week. “Knowing that I’m going to be out there, ready to go.”

During the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season with the New York Knicks, Portis played all 66 games, but this year really stood out. For a Bucks team riddled with injured players, Portis was reliable, always there, always ready to contribute.

As the Bucks spent Tuesday and Wednesday preparing for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against Indiana on Sunday, they were without injured Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. So coach Doc Rivers focused on two scorers and playmakers, Khris Middleton and Portis.

More: Game times, schedule set for Bucks vs Pacers in first round of 2024 NBA playoffs

And Portis, who averaged 24.5 minutes per game, embraced the opportunity. He’s ready for the postseason. He credits the Bucks training staff, his work ethic and playing with Team USA in the national basketball program last summer as his reasons for playing in peak form all year.

“I’ve been hoopin’ since July,” Portis said, “you feel me; I’ve been hoopin’ for a minute. Came into training camp already ready to roll. I was in the best shape of my career. And I think it kind of showed throughout the season.

“You know I play hard, so … to play with energy every night. It was great.”

Putting in the work to improve his shot

But McCarroll emphasizes that Portis’ work journey goes way back before then, back to when he started strength training at age 15 seriously.

The best way to tell Portis’ progress, especially offensively, is in his shot. Portis used to sometimes put the ball almost over his head – in his college days, his early days as a pro and even when he got to the Bucks for his first season in 2020.

Now, Portis’ shot is pretty, whether coming from the post or outside. He’s shooting 40.7% on three-pointers and 54.5% on twos. Remember when he said he used to work on that baby sky hook to exhaustion until he hated it? Well it’s part of his shooting arsenal now.

“It was like a reverse process for us,” McCarroll said. “We had a trial and error, we were trying to understand the shot before, instead of studying the shot and trying to tweak it. We did it backwards, but I like it now.”

All that work took years.

“Absolutely had to tweak his shot just a little bit,” McCarroll said this week in a phone call. “He had the on-top-of the head release. And it wasn’t so much about his accuracy, but he would let it go at different points a lot of times, or he wouldn’t have his hips under the ball. So the timing mechanism was off a little bit.”

Portis and McCarroll sought outside help and opinions. They tried a lot of different things.

“We really focused on that that year that we came into Milwaukee to work on our shot,” McCarroll said. “It took years to get to that point where we could go in and change a shot, you know. I tell kids it’s hours and hours you got to put into it to make it feel natural and be able to do it repetitive times over and over and over and over and over again.”

Portis also does a good job of bending his knees with that shot, especially when he’s open.

“It’s more of a balance thing – I try to make sure that I’m on balance best as I can,” Portis said. “Shooting is all about form and balance, not leaning to the left or right.

“Nine years ago when I come into the league, it was kind of funky. I was bringing it over my head to shoot. … My form is way different.”

Nickel: Cool, calm and collected, Bucks coach Doc Rivers adapts to a practice without Giannis and Damian Lillard

Rivers, who has openly coached Portis from Day 1, it seems, on how he wants him to approach his shooting against various defenses – and not rushing – also seems impressed by Portis. He said he always thought highly of him, but coaches and players form opinions about others in the league, and those opinions could be misguided at times.

“It’s an example of you don’t know a guy until you play with him or coach him. I knew he could shoot; I didn’t know he could shoot, you know what I mean?” Rivers said.

NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award

As for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award, Portis will probably get a lot of votes again this year. Will it be enough to finally win it? That’s unclear.

“I’m cool with who I am and I impact winning at the highest level,” he said.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee teen gets life in 2024 shooting deaths of 2 St. Anthony High students

Published

7 hours ago

November 17, 2025

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Milwaukee teen gets life in 2024 shooting deaths of 2 St. Anthony High students

A Milwaukee teenager convicted of killing two St. Anthony High School students will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Circuit Judge Laura Crivello handed down the life sentence for Moses Martinez on Nov. 14. Martinez filed papers that same day signaling his intent to appeal the conviction, online court records show.

Martinez was 17 when prosecutors say he fatally shot Diego Herrera-Mejia, 16, and Isaac Rodriguez, 15, on the 800 block of West Manitoba Street on June 15, 2024.

In August, a jury found Martinez, now 18, guilty of two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless injury and fleeing police.

The state dismissed charges of driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent and misdemeanor possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.

Here’s what prosecutors say happened to Diego Herrera-Mejia and Isaac Rodriguez

Family members told police investigators the two teens were walking with a few friends and cousins on Manitoba Street when “some guys on a scooter” came up to them and tried to provoke them.

A third person, a 14-year-old girl, also was shot, but survived the attack.

Martinez was arrested two months after the shooting.

Diego and Isaac, friends since middle school, were set to begin their sophomore year together in the fall at St. Anthony, on Milwaukee’s south side.

According to a criminal complaint, a 14-year-old girl told police she was part of a group that was walking away from a party when two teens approached on a scooter.

At some point, one of the two teens pulled out a gun and started shooting at the group, hitting Diego and Isaac, the complaint says. The girl also was injured by gunfire but survived.

Why was this case important?

Martinez’s trial offered the latest evidence of Milwaukee’s ongoing struggle with a swell of juvenile crime involving guns and homicides.

There have been 128 homicides reported in the city of Milwaukee in 2025 as of Nov. 13. During the same period in 2024, the year Diego and Isaac were killed, there were 117 killings reported in the city, according to Milwaukee police statistics.

There have been 20 homicides reported in Milwaukee since January involving victims 17 and younger, compared with 17 during all of 2024, department statistics say.

In 2023, there were 16 child homicides reported in the city.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@gannett.com.

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Milwaukee, WI

5 things to know and do in Milwaukee the week of Nov. 17

Published

1 day ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

5 things to know and do in Milwaukee the week of Nov. 17

by Chesnie Wardell, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
November 16, 2025

It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.

The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works is hosting a public meeting for the Hopkins Street Protected Bike Lane and Street Improvement Project from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Moody Park Pavillion, 2201 W. Auer Ave. You will learn about the project and give feedback. More information here.

Residents have the chance to explore hands-on training, academic support and housing opportunities with the Milwaukee Job Corps from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6055 N. 91st St. You will meet representatives and learn how to start career paths with manufacturing, technology, welding and other occupations. Bring a résumé and dress professionally. More information here.

SPARK! is a program that offers nature-based activities and experiences to adults with memory challenges and their caregivers. The next free session is from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd. Registration is required. More information here.

In honor of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 732 S. 21st St. Attendees will tour the youth shelter space, meet staff and learn more about the services provided. More information here.

Join the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center for an open dialogue and reflection about the history of Thanksgiving and the traditions of gratitude. The culture night is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St. A traditional meal will be served. More information here.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Admirals beat Stars, Haider picks up first AHL win

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2025

Press Room

Milwaukee Admirals beat Stars, Haider picks up first AHL win

article

Courtesy: Milwaukee Admirals

MILWAUKEE – Admirals netminder Ethan Haider made life “ruff” for the Stars as Milwaukee got back on the winning track with a 3-1 victory over Texas on Saturday night – the team’s first Sendik’s Dog Day of the season.

By the numbers:

Texas took an early 1-0 lead as Kole Lind scored on their first shot of the game 1:16 into the opening period, but that was all the Stars would get as Haider backboned the Ads defense, turning aside the next 22 shots and helping to kill off all four Texas power-plays.

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Haider stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced to pick up his first AHL win.

The Admirals would score the game’s final three goals beginning with Reid Schaefer’s first of the season at 11:04 of the first. Ryan Ufko carried the puck from the top of the right circle around the Texas net and had his wrap-around attempt denied by netminder Ben Kraws, but Schaefer pounced on the rebound and scored into an open net.

Jordan Oesterle’s seeing-eyed shot from the left point with less than two minutes to go in the first found its way through traffic and over the shoulder of Kraws to give the Admirals the lead at 2-1.

Jake Lucchini’s second goal of the week and third of the season at 6:59 of the second period gave the Ads some insurance. The play started when Milwaukee came 3-on-3 into the Texas zone and Cole O’Hara left a drop pass for Lucchini, and he ripped it blocker-side for a 3-1 advantage.

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Schaefer and Oesterle each finished with a goal and an assist in the contest to pace the offense and help Milwaukee to their eighth win in their first 12 games of the season.

What’s next:

The Admirals are back in action with a pair of games next weekend in Henderson against the Silver Knights. Their next home game is against Iowa on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.

The Source: The Milwaukee Admirals provided this report.

Milwaukee AdmiralsSports

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