Hoiberg promises to find time for Portis
A good problem to have is still a problem.
The Bulls' big man logjam has gotten more complicated thanks to the strong play of 6-11 rookie Bobby Portis. During the Bulls' three-game win streak, Portis averaged 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and shot 61 percent from the field.
Portis has already become a fan favorite, drawing loud cheers when he checks in. He outplayed 7-3 New York rookie Kristaps Porzingis on Friday at the United Center and had an eye-popping plus-minus rating of plus-30 in 30 minutes of action.
After the game, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg was asked if Portis has played well enough to earn consistent playing time even when Joakim Noah returns from a left shoulder injury. Hoiberg didn't hesitate with his answer.
“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “We're going to continue to find minutes for Bobby. He's playing too well. He's playing with confidence. He rebounds the ball. He plays with a toughness and a swagger and that's what you want. Bobby's not going to back down from anybody and he continues to show that night after night.”
Hoiberg is probably looking forward to pairing Portis and Noah on an ultra-energy reserve unit with Aaron Brooks and Doug McDermott. Portis believes his primary role is to bring positive energy off the bench and he delivered this week.
Portis, 20, runs the floor well, works hard under the basket and isn't afraid to get the crowd going. Instead of waving his arms, the way Noah might do, Portis stuck his index finger in the air Friday and swirled it in a circle to get fans at the United Center cheering.
Portis also does plenty of talking on the court, mostly to himself.
“Yeah, all the time. ‘C'mon, BP. C'mon, BP. Do something, BP,'” Portis said with a smile. “That's something I've always done my whole life. I'm not going to be quiet on the court. I have to talk to hype myself up, just me personally.”
Portis had an exchange with Carmelo Anthony at one point, after Anthony got a foul for pushing Portis into a teammate.
“It's basketball. Things happen and people talk a little bit of smack,” Portis said. “That makes the game that much better. That makes the game competitive and that's why I feel like we play this game, just to have that edge and try to be better than one another.”
The most surprising part of Portis' game might his polish. He does a number of things well and plays to his strengths. He's not afraid to shoot the ball, but doesn't force things.
His faceup jumper is reminiscent of San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge. Portis can score in the post. He also gets his share of baskets through running the floor or grabbing offensive rebounds. That versatility is surprising for a guy who played two years in college at Arkansas and was still available with the No. 22 pick of the first round.
Hoiberg was already prepping for more Portis time before Noah got hurt. Against Brooklyn on Dec. 21, he started Nikola Mirotic at small forward, next to Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson. That can create odd matchups — such as the 6-10 Mirotic guarding Indiana's 6-3 Monta Ellis — and Gasol talked after Friday's game about Mirotic feeling more comfortable at power forward.
But with Portis playing well and Tony Snell's big games arriving infrequently, this starting lineup figures to stay in place for the near future.
Bulls fans are wondering if a trade is inevitable, but expect the team to be cautious. Both Noah and Gasol can be free agents next summer — Gasol has a player option — so with the future uncertain, this may not be the time to trade Gibson, and the Bulls probably aren't ready to give up on Mirotic's potential.
• Get the latest Bulls news via Twitter @McGrawDHBulls.
Bulls scouting report
Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
TV: WGN
Radio: ESPN 1000-AM
Outlook: The Raptors (21-13) have won two in a row since losing to the Bulls at the UC last Monday 104-97. SG DeMar DeRozan leads Toronto at 22.9 ppg. He's scored at least 20 points in 11 of the last 12 games. The one miss was when he had 19 against the Bulls. PG Kyle Lowry is averaging 20.6 ppg, with C Jonas Valanciunas at 12.1 points and 9.2 rebounds. The Bulls have won six in a row against the Raptors and have a four-game win streak in Toronto.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center on Tuesday, 7 p.m.
— Mike McGraw