Bobby Portis returns with a new mindset

After missing the first few weeks of the season due to a suspension, Bobby Portis finally played on Tuesday night. He showed everyone why he has potential.

Wow. Bobby Portis is officially back.

When Nikola Mirotic and Portis decided to fight each other in the middle of October, nobody came out as a winner. Scratch that, Lauri Markkanen came out as a winner. Bobby Portis was suspended a total of 8 games, and Mirotic was diagnosed with broken bones in his face that will cause him to miss approximately 6-8 weeks.

With Portis out, the Bulls we’re forced to start first round draft pick Lauri Markkanen. Turns out, that was a blessing in disguise. Lauri has played like a top 3 pick, and odds are the Bulls couldn’t be happier.

Despite the great play of Markkanen, the Bulls were the definition of thin up in the front court. Cristiano Felicio has been playing just over 16 minutes, not producing much other than an atrocious 2.4 fouls per game.

Last week, everybody knew this day was coming. Bobby would get his chance to play, while the victim would continue to miss games. Veteran center Robin Lopez had some choice words about the situation, more or less saying it was a steep slope that nobody wanted to climb.

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On Sunday, coach Fred Hoiberg made it official when he stated that Bobby Portis would indeed be the first big man off the bench behind power forward Lauri Markkanen.

Tuesday night the Bulls had traveled to Canada once again, only this time, Bobby Portis was with them.

Despite Chicago losing a close one against the Raptors 119-114, Portis was the star. Just as when the fight happened, all eyes were on him and what could be. He would finish the contest with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Most importantly, Portis played with a ferociousness that the team had been lacking throughout the early parts of the season.

Next: Should the Bulls trade for Jahlil Okafor?

The Chicago Bulls desperately need a second tier rotational player to tie them over until Zach Lavine turns during the early stage of 2018. Can Bobby Portis be that guy? The verdict is still out, but from the early results, it looks as if he could be.