Dunn, Portis will return Monday; Boylen clarifies controversy
The Bulls will be the closest they've been all season to full strength Monday night. Both Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis will return from knee sprains against Sacramento at the United Center.
Dunn has played in just one game this season and has been out since Oct. 22. Portis played in the first four games of the season before being injured on Oct. 24.
The Bulls are still missing Denzel Valentine, out for the season after having ankle surgery. Otherwise, every player is available. Dunn and Portis are expected to come off the bench against the Kings.
In the meantime, coach Jim Boylen shared some more thoughts on Sunday's change of plans. Boylen had planned to practice Sunday, the day after a franchise-worst 56-point loss to Boston. Practicing after a set of back-to-back games is extremely rare in the NBA.
Before the start of practice, the players went to Boylen and asked to have a players-only meeting. Boylen agreed, the coaching staff also met with players and there was no formal practice. There were reports that some players discussed boycotting practice in a group text before ultimately deciding to ask for a meeting.
While speaking to reporters at Monday's shootaround, Boylen took exception to a question that referenced players pushing back against the practice plan.
"That is not true. I don't like that narrative. I don't want that out there. That's not true," Boylen said. "That is not true that they didn't want to have practice.
"The truth is we had a couple guys who thought a Sunday practice was excessive after the week we had. And they have to trust me if I bring them in here to practice, I'm going to manage their legs and manage what we're going to do. They didn't understand that. So I explained to them you have to trust that I'm going to do what's best for this team.
"What was best for this team was coming in, being together and growing. Some guys felt that was excessive. We cleared that up, and we're moving on. Please don't say 'they.' Because that's not how is was, OK?"
Veteran center Robin Lopez also spoke Monday and he acknowledged stating his opinion that the best course of action was for everyone to be at the Advocate Center on Sunday.
"I thought it was all done in an extremely positive way," Lopez said. "We were very direct with each other. We were very open. I think we came out the better for it. I think we're more understanding."
Boylen took over the head coaching job one week ago. It's clear many players did not agree with management's decision to fire Fred Hoiberg. Boylen understands the coaching transition, coupled with getting key players back from injury, could be a bumpy road at times.
"I think (Sunday's events) was a thing that had to happen with the change," Boylen said. "I think it's a blessing for where we want to go.
"Nothing grows without some sun, some shade, some rain and I'm encouraged, they're encouraged and we're going to try to respond, play better than we did in the last game, play more together than we did in the last game and represent 'Bulls' across our chest. The theme has not changed."
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls