Bucks' Bobby Portis wants to 'talk real talk' on new podcast, and show people who he is off the court

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If you didn't know it was a podcast, you'd think you were listening in on good buddies kicking back and relaxing. And that's exactly how the Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis wants his new show to sound.

While some pods have more of an interview-style format, Portis is aiming to make his an authentic conversation, where hosts and guests can "talk real talk."

In fact, that's what the show's title, "Keep it a Buck," stands for.

Portis wants it to be entertaining, a "safe haven" for him to be his "true, authentic self," and motivational, especially for the next generation.

"I just think it's important to pass down what you've learned for the next generation, so they don't make the same mistakes you did," said Portis, 28. "Things happen fast in this league, things happen fast in life in general. You don't want that time to pass by that you could've made up."

Portis is co-hosting the show — produced in partnership with PodcastOne — with two best friends he grew up with in Little Rock: Daouda Berete and Anthony "AB" Black.

"Just something that I always wanted to do," Portis said. "Be an owner of something, have something that I can be my true, authentic self on. And then, having two of my friends along the way with me to be on this path with me as well, it's just a great thing ... Just blessed to be able to have a podcast."

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How Bobby Portis' podcast came about

Portis and his friends first started talking about doing a podcast together six or seven years ago, but Portis wasn't very familiar with the format.

But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Portis got "intrigued" by podcasts and "really got inspired" to have his own.

Portis' favorites? "I am Athlete," founded by former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall, as well as "The Pivot Podcast," hosted by former NFL athletes Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor and Ryan Clark.

"I like those two podcasts because they actually give guys like myself and even the younger generation, just give everybody those little gems that can help your life," Portis said.

Through their new show, Portis and his co-hosts plan to pass the wisdom they've excavated throughout their lives on to others.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) celebrates a basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Washington Wizards 123-113.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) celebrates a basket during the second half of their game Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Washington Wizards 123-113.

Co-hosts are longtime friends who 'just know Bob'

Portis and Black met playing basketball around second or third grade.

"Probably my longest friend that I have," Portis said. "I don't think I've known anyone else that long."

Portis and Berete played basketball with or against each other for years. On the podcast, Berete said he cried after Portis' team beat his in the first round of the playoff championship when they were in middle school.

The two would go on to win multiple high school state championships together, Berete said on the show. He said it's weird witnessing Portis go from barely being able to dunk to being an NBA star.

"The memories are endless," Berete said on the pod. "You guys know league Bob but, I tell him all the time, it's hard for me to realize he's a celebrity. 'Cause I'm like, I just know Bob."

Portis wants listeners to get to know that him, too.

"For guys that don't know me or know just the basketball side of Bobby Portis," Portis said. "I think off the court, I'm a pretty cool dude, a real genuine guy, who lives and grinds every day for the right reasons."

'Keep it a Buck' will feature guests from all walks of life

Portis plans to have on guests from all walks of life so that listeners from different backgrounds will be able to connect with them and learn from their experiences.

"Obviously everybody's world success routes is different," Portis said. "Whoever our guest is at the time, they might have similar backgrounds and they can relate to that person. Just try to give kids those little gems that can kind of help change their paths in life."

"We come from humble backgrounds," Black said on the podcast. "I can't just say I was poor. Ain't nothing like that. Mom's always kept us with whatever we needed. Made sure we got to practice. All that stuff."

While Portis didn't want to drop names, the show has "quite the guest list that's coming." The second episode featured famous shooting coach Chris Matthews, who Portis said is "a big reason" his game has "taken off the way it has."

"Coming from where I come from, not really knowing my biological parents, that's like my why. Why I got the edge," Matthews said on the podcast. "He (Portis) got that edge 'cause of where he come from. Like that grit, that toughness. And he uses that on the basketball court. And I use that with my training. Everybody that's watching this, just continue to push yourself. But never get content."

The crew talked with Matthews about his basketball career, how he got into training, working with superstar clients, his creative content and brand, and his forthcoming documentary about his "real" life story.

"I've seen a lot growing up, but I'm not the type that I'm on Instagram like trying to: 'I come from this, you know, I'm from the projects. I was on EBT,' " Matthews said on the show. "But I am from that. And that's why I go so hard and that's what makes me who I am. And to go back to basketball, that's where my grittiness comes from ... I really wanted to make it out of my situation in life, you know what I mean, the right way."

The crew also discussed how basketball helped add structure to their lives, how to deal with hate on social media, and the league nowadays, among other things.

While the show will be basketball-centric, all the guests won't be. They'll include leaders in business, music, fashion and entertainment.

"I just got a safe haven for myself to come on here and have anybody that I want to interview, talk about any hot topics that I want to talk about and just have fun with it," Portis said.

Where to listen to the 'Keep it a Buck' podcast

A new "Keep it a Buck" episode — ranging from around 40 minutes to over an hour — will drop every week.

On the first episode, the crew reminisced about growing up and playing basketball in Little Rock. They talked about how practice alone isn't enough to make it far in basketball and the importance of establishing a routine and sticking to it — no matter what kind of game you just had.

They also discussed how social media has evolved during their lifetimes, the power it has, NIL (name, image and likeness) deals and more.

The podcast can be viewed on YouTube, or listened to on a variety of platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. For more on the pod, people can visit its Instagram and TikTok pages.

"For it to finally be here, I just can't wait to keep it going," Portis said. "Obviously, it's gonna take time and take patience and all of those things. But I think it'll all be worth it."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis launches 'Keep it a Buck' podcast