Bobby Portis suspended

[Voyageur]

The NBA suspended Bobby Portis for 25 games. He was using the pain killer, Tramadol. It's effective for pain, take my word for it. I take it myself every day. In fact, I take three tablets most days, and if the pain isn't too bad, I might take one or two sometimes none but that's rare. I take Tramadol 37.5/Acetaminophen. It works for the sciatica, and arthritis in my lower back. I do not get a high from it whatsoever so it isn't some designer drug to get high on. It just relieves some heavy-duty pain. Even still while using it, I have pain that makes it difficult for me to walk, or even just stand up from a sitting position.

I wonder what type of injury pain Bobby is dealing with. It could be something serious enough that without the painkillers he wouldn't be playing.

 

[weeds]

My wife had some dental work done and the dentist prescribed tramadol saying she was very definitely going to need it. She never took one of them because she read it was highly addictive, an opiod and a controlled substance. That's just her though.

I thought Portis got in Dutch for a second drug...??? OK, I got it kinda right but still twisted it.

Milwaukee's Bobby Portis suspended after he mistakenly took painkiller Tramadol rather than Toradol

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug program.

apnews.com

 

[Heyjoe4]

My wife had some dental work done and the dentist prescribed tramadol saying she was very definitely going to need it. She never took one of them because she read it was highly addictive, an opiod and a controlled substance. That's just her though.

I thought Portis got in Dutch for a second drug...??? OK, I got it kinda right but still twisted it.

Milwaukee's Bobby Portis suspended after he mistakenly took painkiller Tramadol rather than Toradol

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug program.

apnews.com

Portis was taking Toradol, a potent but non-narcotic painkiller. He was tested as positive for opiates because he took Tramadol. The drugs sound alike, problem is Bobby didn't have an Rx for Tramadol. He supposedly took one from an assistant who did have an Rx, thinking it was Toradol.

It sounds like a stretch, but I believe him. What I wonder is if the league would give him a pass if he had an Rx. Finally, Tramadol is one of the weaker opiates. Trust me, that's not the op*iate to take to get high. It certainly can be abused, but anyone looking to get high would aim for oxycodone or oxycontin or dialudid, or something much stronger. Bobby Portis is not a drug abuser. He couldn't play at such a high level if he were, or not for long.

Anyway, a 25-game suspension seems like a lot under the circumstances.

 

[Voyageur]

My wife had some dental work done and the dentist prescribed tramadol saying she was very definitely going to need it. She never took one of them because she read it was highly addictive, an opiod and a controlled substance. That's just her though.

I thought Portis got in Dutch for a second drug...??? OK, I got it kinda right but still twisted it.

Milwaukee's Bobby Portis suspended after he mistakenly took painkiller Tramadol rather than Toradol

The NBA has suspended Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug program.

apnews.com

I've been told Tramadol can be addictive. For some reason that hasn't been the case for me. I only take it when the pain is too much. I can take large amounts of any OTC pain med and get the same results, but the quantity isn't a safe amount. Taking 3 each 650mg Acetaminophens three times a day is way too dangerous for internal organs.

Every once in a while, I take a day or two where I don't take any of them, and on most days instead of taking the 3 prescribed, I only take two.

 

[AKCheese]

Disregard

 

[Heyjoe4]

I've been told Tramadol can be addictive. For some reason that hasn't been the case for me. I only take it when the pain is too much. I can take large amounts of any OTC pain med and get the same results, but the quantity isn't a safe amount. Taking 3 each 650mg Acetaminophens three times a day is way too dangerous for internal organs.

Every once in a while, I take a day or two where I don't take any of them, and on most days instead of taking the 3 prescribed, I only take two.

Sorry to hear about your back V, specifically the pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. I've had that on my left and right side. One time it was due to a bulging disc that resolved after two months. The second time I had a ruptired disc at S1/L5. I had surgery to drill holes in S1-L4 to give the sciatic nerve more room due to stenosis, and at the same time the disc fragment was removed.

That was about 10 years ago. I maintain a strong set of core muscles - and that's all standing between me and at least three-vertebrae fusion. I do not want fusion surgery.

 

[Voyageur]

Sorry to hear about your back V, specifically the pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. I've had that on my left and right side. One time it was due to a bulging disc that resolved after two months. The second time I had a ruptired disc at S1/L5. I had surgery to drill holes in S1-L4 to give the sciatic nerve more room due to stenosis, and at the same time the disc fragment was removed.

That was about 10 years ago. I maintain a strong set of core muscles - and that's all standing between me and at least three-vertebrae fusion. I do not want fusion surgery.

I don't blame you for not wanting fusion. Very few people that I know who have had it are satisfied with the results.

Since I last posted, I haven't taken any Tramadol. After the first of the year the tablets I've been getting are hard to get so I've been toughing it out using Tylenol once a day. I go back to my doctor on the 9th of July so I'll find out if he has an alternative for me.

I never became addicted to Tramadol at all. My wife is taking it now and she can take it or leave it, often choosing Tylenol instead. I don't know but based on our experience it doesn't appear to be highly addictive. But, that said, to the next person, it could be different.

My sciatica isn't nearly as bad lately for some reason. I think it's because I've been more active, and walking a lot more even though it's extremely difficult.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don't blame you for not wanting fusion. Very few people that I know who have had it are satisfied with the results.

Since I last posted, I haven't taken any Tramadol. After the first of the year the tablets I've been getting are hard to get so I've been toughing it out using Tylenol once a day. I go back to my doctor on the 9th of July so I'll find out if he has an alternative for me.

I never became addicted to Tramadol at all. My wife is taking it now and she can take it or leave it, often choosing Tylenol instead. I don't know but based on our experience it doesn't appear to be highly addictive. But, that said, to the next person, it could be different.

My sciatica isn't nearly as bad lately for some reason. I think it's because I've been more active, and walking a lot more even though it's extremely difficult.

Your wife and you are fortunate to take or leave narcotic pain meds. Addicts are born as addicts, and they simply can't take those meds.

Walking is strengthening your core muscles and improving your balance, so please do keep that up. And if you ever use a treadmill, please avoid the mistake of hanging on to the rails. I don't know why people do this, but I see it a lot at the gym. As soon as you gran the rails, the core becomes disconnected and you don't rely on natural balance.

Good job V and glad your pain is at least a bit better. I've been through four joint replacements since 2023 (both knees, right hip. left shoulder). I suffered needlessly and would have had the surgeries much earlier. Getting old is not for sissies.

 

[Voyageur]

Your wife and you are fortunate to take or leave narcotic pain meds. Addicts are born as addicts, and they simply can't take those meds.

Walking is strengthening your core muscles and improving your balance, so please do keep that up. And if you ever use a treadmill, please avoid the mistake of hanging on to the rails. I don't know why people do this, but I see it a lot at the gym. As soon as you gran the rails, the core becomes disconnected and you don't rely on natural balance.

Good job V and glad your pain is at least a bit better. I've been through four joint replacements since 2023 (both knees, right hip. left shoulder). I suffered needlessly and would have had the surgeries much earlier. Getting old is not for sissies.

Agreed. The "golden years" are actually rust.

 

[milani]

Agreed. The "golden years" are actually rust.

10 days ago my wife had her second major traffic collision in 6 moths in exactly the same location. The first was a broken ankle. This one produced a broken bone in the neck. Her golden years have become one of an Edsel.

 

[Heyjoe4]

10 days ago my wife had her second major traffic collision in 6 moths in exactly the same location. The first was a broken ankle. This one produced a broken bone in the neck. Her golden years have become one of an Edsel.

Yikes so sorry milani. I hope your wife is ok - but a broken bone in the neck (and ankle) are serious. Hopefully she makes a full recovery.

 

[Voyageur]

10 days ago my wife had her second major traffic collision in 6 moths in exactly the same location. The first was a broken ankle. This one produced a broken bone in the neck. Her golden years have become one of an Edsel.

I hope she's okay. Neck injuries can be a real ongoing problem. One suggestion. If she's been driving a black car get something else. They're the most often hit cars on the road.

 

[milani]

Yikes so sorry milani. I hope your wife is ok - but a broken bone in the neck (and ankle) are serious. Hopefully she makes a full recovery.

I am not sure if I can ever let her drive again. Being able to turn the neck is essential to safe driving. So that has to be achieved. She is normally a good driver, better reflexes than me. And that is why I would have her drive up to GB when we went to see a game. But with age people have to become smarter and more defensive. If it were not for the airbags she may have been killed twice.

 

[Voyageur]

I was looking at the projected lineup for this coming season. I found this on Google.

Projected Starting Five

• PG: Ryan Rollins – Expected to run the point after a breakout season, having averaged roughly 17 points and 5.6 assists.
• SG: Tyler Herro – Acquired in the Antetokounmpo trade, he brings high-volume scoring and perimeter shooting to the starting backcourt.
• SF: Jaime Jaquez Jr. – A strong two-way wing also arriving from Miami.
• PF: Kyle Kuzma – Expected to provide veteran leadership and scoring in the frontcourt.
• C: Myles Turner – Adds rim protection and floor spacing as the starting center. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Key Rotation & Bench

• Guard: Brayden Burries – The 6'4" lottery pick (No. 10 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft) out of Arizona is expected to see immediate minutes off the bench.
• Guard: Kasparas Jakučionis – A prized rookie guard acquired in the blockbuster Heat trade.
• Forward: Nate Ament – The No. 13 overall draft pick in the 2026 class will likely slot in as the primary backup power forward.
• Center: Kel'el Ware – Acquired in the blockbuster swap, he serves as the primary backup and future center. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

This is not a bad team but you could get younger and add draft picks and more youth if you choose. Potentially trading Herro, Kuzma, and Turner and their contracts to get young players with a future. That would mean you could still have:

Guards - Rollins, Burries, Jakucionis, Porter and Green.
Forwards - Jaquez, Dieng, Porter, and Prince. You could add another player to the mix who is young and developing.
Centers - Ware and Sims. Add a young development player here as well.

With the added draft power they could amass, along with the cap room going into next year, they could become a top 4 or 5 team in the East with an eye at moving even higher.

To be honest, I'm not going to miss Giannis or the drama that surrounded him. As far as his shooting, the only place he was truly effective was within 5 ft. of the basket. Outside of that he wasn't even close to a decent shot. On the free throw line, he was a disaster.

Yes, he had talent but they turned him into a one-trick-pony whose game had to be moving hard to the rim and hoping he didn't get injured.