Portis hurt again: Injury-plagued season setting Bulls up for draft lottery
When the Bulls began their rebuilding project, it seemed impossible to replicate the much-publicized "Process" executed by the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers got so many high draft picks because they stayed bad, thanks to both missteps and poor fortune. They muffed a few early draft picks (see Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor), then lost Joel Embiid for two years and Ben Simmons for one year due to injuries.
Typically, teams make some good draft picks and get better. That's what the Bulls expected to happen this season during Year 2 of their rebuild.
But the injuries keep piling up. Bobby Portis is the latest casualty, expected to miss 2-4 weeks with the sprained left ankle he suffered with about two minutes left in Wednesday's loss to Brooklyn. Portis already missed 23 games this season with a right knee sprain.
Zach LaVine was already sidelined by a sprained ankle and will likely be out for another week or two. Backup guard Cameron Payne also missed Thursday's practice with a calf issue.
"I try not to think about it," coach Jim Boylen said Thursday at the Advocate Center. "To be honest, what breaks my heart is guys getting hurt. It's tough on them. It's their career, their life. Injuries are difficult. The personal part of it really bothers me."
There was a symbolic sidebar to the latest injury-marred loss. The Bulls (7-25) fell behind Phoenix for the worst record in the NBA.
Let's face it, as frustrating as this season has been for the Bulls, there could be a nice payoff if they end up in a position to draft Zion Williamson or R.J. Barrett next June.
The worst record won't make any difference. With anti-tank rules coming to the draft lottery next year, the bottom three teams will all get a 14 percent chance of landing the top pick. Needless to say, the Bulls are headed for a front-row seat at the lottery and maybe Williamson will end up being the Bulls' Ben Simmons.
But there's still a long way to go this season. It will be interesting to see if Jabari Parker returns to the court with Portis back on the sideline. Parker dropped out of the playing rotation last week amid reports the Bulls are looking to trade him. He wasn't at the last two games due to a stomach virus, but participated in Thursday's practice and spoke to reporters.
Asked if he's ready to play, Parker answered, "Yeah, for sure. I always love to play the game and I want to be prepared to play how many minutes you want me to play."
Parker hasn't been a great fit on the Bulls roster, since they already had Portis and Lauri Markkanen at power forward. But he is the team's second-leading scorer at the moment at 15.2 points. Parker said Boylen had not yet talked to him about his role.
"No, but what's more important is me trying to get back in game shape," Parker said. "Who knows if I play tomorrow, but I'm just trying to get back into that game shape."
Boylen was noncommittal about putting Parker back on the floor.
"We'll see how he's feeling. But he's a part of the team and he needs to be ready to play," Boylen said. "We're down a guy. Next guy has to step up. We'll figure that out and see how he recovers from today and go from there."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls
Scouting report
Bulls vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. Friday at the United Center
TV: NBCSCH • Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Outlook: The Bulls lost 97-91 to Orlando last week in Mexico City as center Nikola Vucevic produced 26 points and 10 rebounds. ... Since winning two games in Mexico, the Magic (14-16) lost Wednesday at home by 39 points to the Spurs. ... After Vucevic, Orlando's top scorers are PF Aaron Gordon (15.6 ppg), SF Evan Fournier (15.1) and SF Terrence Ross (13.9). Rookie C Mo Bamba is averaging 6.8 points. ... The Magic has lost five straight at the UC.
Next: Cleveland Cavaliers, 6 p.m. Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena
- Mike McGraw