Milwaukee Bucks

Kenyon Martin questions Team USA adding Bobby Portis: ‘There’s other players that can suit USA Basketball a little better’

Published by
Mike Battaglino

Kenyon Martin Stook the news of Bobby Portis joining Team USA at the upcoming FIBA World Cup and used it as an opportunity to question the selection. In addition, he pitched the idea of his son Kenyon Jr. being on the team.

“Bobby Portis is a solid NBA player,” the elder Martin said. “But I just look at the past, man, and being the decisions USA Basketball made before. Taking nothing off of Bobby Portis’ plate, but I just don’t — I think there’s other players that can suit USA Basketball a little better.

 

“They gonna throw Bobby out there, listen, if they gonna throw Bobby Portis in that show, I wanna see K.J. on there.”

Portis, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, is one of six players who has committed to play for Team USA. The list includes Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets and Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.

Portis, 28, is the oldest of the six and perhaps the most unlikely choice. Still, he averaged 14.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game for the Bucks this season and was third in voting for Sixth Man of the Year behind winner Malcolm Brogdon of the Boston Celtics and Immanuel Quickley of the Knicks.

Portis reportedly has an interest in joining the Lakers to be reunited with head coach Darvin Ham, who was formerly an assistant coach for the Bucks. Portis could get some information on the Lakers from Reaves, who also has an interesting offseason coming up as a restricted free agent.

The guard raised his stock significantly with an improved second season in the NBA and could make even more of a name for himself if he happens to excel on the international stage.

The younger Martin, a 22-year-old forward for the Houston Rockets, averaged 12.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season, his third in the NBA.

The FIBA World Cup will begin in late August. The American team will be coached by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose NBA squad was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs this year.

Training camp for Team USA is scheduled to begin in early August in Las Vegas, and an exhibition schedule will precede the tournament.

Mike Battaglino

Mike is a veteran journalist who has focused on New York sports. He has covered the NBA and NFL for almost three decades and is still waiting for the next championship for the Knicks and Jets.

Published by
Mike Battaglino

Recent Posts

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

21 hours ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

22 hours ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

3 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

4 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

5 days ago

Shannon Sharpe implies Jamal Murray defers to Nikola Jokic like Kobe deferred to Shaq: ‘Murray is more than capable’

An ankle injury has kept Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic sidelined for more…

6 days ago