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KC Article on Portis

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Don Tiny

Post subject: KC Article on Portis

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 3:41 pm

Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 11:10 am
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Location: Rock Ridge (splendid!)
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bobby-portis-progress-bulls-spt-0103-20160102-story.html

Bulls didn't hand rookie Bobby Portis a rotation spot, he earned it

In the first half of the Bulls' Friday victory over the Knicks, Bobby Portis wandered out of bounds after a teammate was called for a foul, muttering.

"C'mon BP, block that (expletive)," Portis said.

Yep, Portis refers to himself in the third person even when talking to himself.

Actually, Portis' habit of doing so in media sessions — delivered more playfully than boastfully — has dropped of late. But that's about the only drop in production when it comes to Portis, who has played himself into the Bulls' rotation.

Portis' second career double-double in seven games has capped quite the stretch for the No. 22 pick in last June's draft. The 6-foot-11 big man has averaged 11.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in that span.

No wonder coach Fred Hoiberg said Portis will get minutes even when Joakim Noah, who could be cleared for contact in practice Monday, returns from his left shoulder injury.

"Bobby can play man," Jimmy Butler said. "He's talking a lot of trash in practice too. I don't think he lets the rookie card get to him. And he listens. When he makes a mistake, he's asking a question. You don't find that in rookies. They just think they know it all. That kid is going to be good for a really long time here."

This has benefits beyond on-court production. Portis' rookie-scale contract — annual salaries between $1.4 and $3.4 million over the next four seasons — will be ridiculously affordable in light of where the NBA's influx of money from the new TV contract spikes the salary cap.

This cost control for a young, talented big man also provides insurance if the Bulls deal the expiring contracts of either Noah or Pau Gasol before the February deadline. An Eastern Conference executive said trade chatter involving the Bulls is quiet for now.

That Portis has a long way to go defensively and only has one block in the last seven games underscores the value of keeping Noah. Not to mention the omnipresent worry of the Bulls' injury bug.

If the Bulls choose to keep five big men this season, Nikola Mirotic will log most of his minutes at small forward or have his role reduced. This is for sure: Portis' ability to shoot and run the floor check two of the boxes on Fred Hoiberg's preferred offensive traits.

"He's definitely a confident guy. He's not shy. He plays with a lot of heart. And he just goes," Gasol said. "It has been great to see. It has been a plus for us when we need him. I commend him for being ready."

Portis has become a clear fan favorite based on signage and loudness of his ovations upon entering games. He also has emerged as somewhat of a media darling, though his Friday postgame session proved one of his most subdued.

Still, he revealed he feels his comfort level in taking the NBA 3-pointer — he's 5-for-11 — has been his biggest improvement. And he still produced several quiet gems. To wit:

• On if facing touted Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis fired him up: "Every basketball game amps me up. I love the game of basketball. One thing I've learned is if you love the game of basketball, it will love you back."

• On his recent production: "I don't try to look at numbers. I try to look at wins."

• On Hoiberg saying he will stay in the rotation: "It really means nothing. I still have to come to work every day and work as hard as I can to get better. I still have to earn my stripes. That's something about the Bulls that I like. They don't just put rookies out there. They make you earn your keep."

• On running the floor: "Growing up, I really couldn't shoot that much. But being able to run was something I always had. I try to utilize it in the NBA because some bigs don't really like to get back. I can help our team get easy transition baskets just by me running. I might not get the ball. But it can lead to my teammates getting a layup."

• On rookies being timid: "I feel like that's a stereotype. I feel like that's what the world thinks they're supposed to do. I feel like you're a basketball player. Just because you have rookie labeled to you doesn't mean you can't play basketball. At the end of the day, it's basketball and I have confidence."

• On teams bypassing him in the draft: "That's five, six months ago. I really don't think about it anymore. Every now and then it crosses my mind and I get mad a little bit. But it's cool. I'm in a great organization with great players around me. Great team, great coach. It was even great for me to sit on the bench and have to earn my keep rather than getting thrown in the fire and have to be that guy."

And then Portis answered one final question about talking to himself on the court and admitted he does so to hype himself up.

Thankfully, he dropped two third-person references in answering.

_________________
Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

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bigfan

Post subject: Re: KC Article on Portis

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:09 pm

Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Posts: 40983
Location: Chicago
pizza_Place: Lou Malanati's

Kc sucking the new guys dick. Might need an autograph for his neighbors, bosses kid or something.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

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St. Louis Bull Man

Post subject: Re: KC Article on Portis

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 3:23 pm

Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:31 am
Posts: 1871
pizza_Place: Le Grand Pizza

The kid is so much better than the aging eggshell that is Noah it's barely arguable. All he has to do is learn that ultra deliberate chest pass of Noah's. (not)

And I don't buy in to that drivvel our announcers keep spewing about Noah's "energy". Fuck that energy shit, we need some talent.

Rose and JN have to go. They've been given their shot and have failed miserably!

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spmack

Post subject: Re: KC Article on Portis

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 3:28 pm