Bulls fall to Portland as Rondo serves his one-game suspension

SHARE Bulls fall to Portland as Rondo serves his one-game suspension
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This Bulls team has its flaws.

Those have been on full display for all to see over the last week.

“The one thing I like about this group is I feel like we are better suited to handle adversity, bumps in the road that you have in an NBA season,’’ guard Jimmy Butler said recently, when talking about the make-up of the roster.

Butler’s assessment is about to be tested.

Before Monday night’s 112-110 loss to Portland, the Bulls announced that veteran guard Rajon Rondo was suspended without pay for that game because of “conduct detrimental to the team.’’

While coach Fred Hoiberg said it was an organizational decision, he would not offer details of what led to the suspension, insisting that it was a private matter and in the past.

Multiple sources, however, said that Rondo got into a “heated argument with [assistant coach Jim Boylen], and wouldn’t let it rest.’’

The incident occurred during the ugly loss in Dallas on Saturday, but then carried over into the locker room right after the game. Hoiberg did say that there was no physical confrontation to come out of the incident, but still the team thought it was enough of a distraction to go ahead and sit Rondo for the one game.

Hoiberg not only met with Rondo on Sunday to discuss the matter, but also spoke to him on the phone Monday.

The coach’s feeling was the relationship with the veteran was just fine.

“I’ll say this, Rajon, as we’ve all said, has been great,’’ Hoiberg said. “A great teammate. I’ve enjoyed the relationship that we developed, and again it’s not going to change moving forward.’’

The source said that it was his understanding that both Rondo and Boylen had spoken since, and put it to rest.

Not that Rondo being Rondo, however, should have snuck up on the Bulls, as he’s had run-ins that cost him game checks in Boston, Dallas, and his latest in Sacramento last season, after the NBA suspended him for using a homophobic slur toward referee Bill Kennedy.

But the Bulls did their best to take this case individually, rather than throw it on the Rondo resume of six previous suspensions. At least that was the attempt.

“‘Do’s’ been great,’’ Butler said. “I think this is just another bump in the road. He’s a phenomenal damn teammate and I back him on everything.

“These things happen, and when things happen you handle it the way you’re supposed to handle it. I think we all love Rondo. I know I do. He’s been a great mentor to me, he’s made me a much better basketball player.’’

Hoiberg also defended Rondo’s reputation.

“I would absolutely agree with what Jimmy said,’’ Hoiberg said. “Absolutely.’’

The Bulls signed Rondo to a two-year, $28 million contract in the offseason, and the 30-year-old was averaging 8.2 points and 7.2 assists.

He was scheduled to fly with the team to Detroit following the game with the Trail Blazers, but there’s no doubt that the Bulls (11-9) could have used Rondo’s services against Portland, especially late in the game.

Butler did his part scoring 26 points, while Dwyane Wade had a team-high 34, but with Rondo out Hoiberg was forced to start Jerian Grant (five points), and finish with reserve Isaiah Canaan, who scored 10 points.

Neither could slow Damian Lillard, who scored 11 first-quarter points and finished with 30.

“[Rondo’s] obviously very important with what we do in this building,’’ Hoiberg said. “That’s not the reason we lost [Monday night].’’

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