Bulls' home losing streak hit 10 as Parker puts on a dunk show
Bobby Portis had been on a mild tweet storm since being traded from the Bulls.
Here's an example: Somebody tweeted that it will be easier to find another Portis than find another Lauri Markkanen. Portis retweeted and commented, "They won't."
Someone else tweeted a line about John Paxson thinking Portis is just a backup big man who's not worth the money (the fan's words, not Paxson's). Portis added, "Lmao right" with several laughing emojis.
Portis got a chance to explain himself after helping the Washington Wizards roll past his old team 134-125 at the United Center on Saturday.
"I was just being sarcastic and just having fun," Portis said, wearing a red suit after the game. "Twitter, I just use it for having fun, just expressing myself a little bit. No bad feelings."
Portis didn't shoot it well (4-for-11), but finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks. The other player sent to Washington in that trade, Jabari Parker, opened some eyes with his performance. Parker scored 20 points and threw down 6 dunks.
Parker seemed more energized than he ever did in a Bulls uniform. On consecutive possessions in the first half, he drove through traffic for a two-hand dunk, then threw down a one-hander over the top of Markkanen.
"He looked energized," Zach LaVine said of Parker. "I think they put him in the right position to be successful.
"It's weird, you spent so much time with them, you're on the plane with them, in practice with them. You know all their tendencies. It's a lot of emotions, but I'm happy for them. I see how passionate they are and how they're using them over there is really nice."
The Bulls started off hot, hitting their first five shots of the game. Newcomer Otto Porter Jr. hit his first basket as a Bull at the United Center just 16 seconds into the contest. The game quickly turned, though, and the Bulls struggled to keep up on defense.
Bradley Beal led Washington (24-32) with 31 points, while backup guard Chasson Randle added 20 and hit 8 of 10 shots.
"We're looking for consistency," Bulls coach Jim Boylen said. "A lot of time, I thought our energy was low. I thought at times our commitment to the defensive end was poor."
After the game, Portis relived his experience of getting traded about an hour before the Bulls played New Orleans on Wednesday. He walked out of the building without saying much to anyone.
"I took it really tough," he said. "I didn't see it coming. I was seeing other things on Twitter. It started as rumors. I never thought I'd get traded, but that's basketball. I think I did a good job of just taking it the right way, moving on. I'm with an organization now, they really like me.
"I was hurt the first 48 hours, but when I got to the game yesterday, those emotions went away."
The Bulls played a tribute on the video board during the game's first time out, before either Portis or Parker checked in. Portis admitted getting emotional as he watched from the bench.
"It was very weird. Hearing the starting lineups, hearing their famous song," Portis said. "I'm just imagining getting ready to play somebody else and not the Bulls. It was a very weird moment for me.
"I don't have anything bad to say about anybody here. Everybody treated me really well, with open arms and treated me like family. This is a great place to play for anyone who wants to come play here, because they'll treat you like family.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls