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Chicago Bulls: What Does the Future Hold for Bobby Portis?

By Matthew Squires

Mar 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) reacts during the second half against the LA Clippers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) reacts during the second half against the LA Clippers at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The former 2015 SEC player of the year, Bobby Portis, is showcasing his talent as of late for the Chicago Bulls.

It is nearly night and day regarding Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis’s play before and after the deadline. The former Arkansas Razorback has helped the Chicago Bulls to a 3-2 record since the break. Bobby Portis was losing minutes to Nikola Mirotic and Paul Zipser during the early parts of the season. Since coming into the league, he has never met a shot he does not like.

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Bobby Portis has played very well since the trade deadline. Now he is taking smart and efficient shots, which is a breath of fresh air. With consistent minutes, he is averaging 23.0 minutes, 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds a game while shooting 40% from three. On March 2, Portis even finished at a plus-21 against the Warriors!

He is not the future starting power forward for the Chicago Bulls, due to his small stature. But there is not a player on the roster to fill that void. Unfortunately, Portis does not have enough strength to take the constant pounding NBA power forwards take, but he is quick enough to switch pick and rolls and guard more agile players on the perimeter.

Portis has the body type to play small forward but the skill set to play the power forward spot due to his versatility. The second year player adds an element to the Bulls’ offense that Taj Gibson did not: three-point shooting. With Portis’ ability to knock down the three at a decent clip, the offense opens up for slashers like Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade to get to the rim.

This fits well into the pace and space offense Fred Hoiberg’s wants to run. Portis is one of the few players that can play in the type of system Hoiberg wants to run.

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Portis is under team control for another three seasons after this season, so there is time for him to develop into a special player the front office imagine he could become when they drafted him.

If Bobby Portis continues to play consistently well, he will prove to the front office that he is part of the Chicago Bulls’ future.

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