Bobby Portis still isn’t sure what he is.
Is the second-year Bulls big man supposed to be the energy guy off the bench? Is he just a young player getting scattered minutes as he develops? Or is he a bigger version of Tony Snell – yet another Bulls project picked in the first round [22nd overall] that is struggling to find a direction?
Whatever he is through the first six games definitely has a rip cord attached to it.
In the season-opening win against Boston, Portis earned the DNP CD [Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision]. Since then he only saw substantial minutes in the Wednesday loss in Boston, putting in 11 minutes of work and helping the Bulls overcome a fourth-quarter deficit before coming up short.
On Saturday, it was a quick hook again by coach Fred Hoiberg, as Portis played six unimpressive minutes in the second quarter and was yanked. He did score 16 points in that loss, but all in mop-up time.
“I had high expectations to play more, but it’s not my turn yet,’’ Portis said. “Basketball, sometimes you want things to go your way, but they haven’t gone my way so far. At the same time, I’ve been working hard as I can every day just to be ready for when Coach Fred and his staff calls my number. I’ve been doing everything in my power to get minutes, but at this point it hasn’t come. But I know it’s a long season and it will come at some point.’’
One thing Portis won’t do is ask the coaching staff why the lack of playing time.
“I don’t feel like it’s my choice to ask why I’m not playing,’’ Portis said. “As a player you just go with what the coaches have, and thus far I can’t complain with anything. The guys [in front of me] are playing well, so there isn’t anything to complain about. I’m a team guy always first, so that’s the important thing with this.’’
As a rookie last season, Portis played in 62 games, starting four, while averaging 17.8 minutes, seven points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
He was forced into action because of all the injuries the Bulls suffered last season, as Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic each missed time.
Through the early part of this season he’s averaging 8.6 minutes of playing time, and while he’s had several good moments, there are a number of growing pains still being displayed by the 21-year-old.
Portis playing time, or there lack of, led to Hoiberg discussing how he weighs development with also making sure that his team is trying to win games.
“Those [young] guys are going to get their opportunity,’’ Hoiberg said. “Different things happen throughout the course of the year. Those guys have to step up and take advantage of their opportunities when they present themselves. It’ll keep happening.’’
The coach did, however, admit that they can only get so much from practice.
“Nothing compares to that game action,’’ Hoiberg said. “That’s huge for these guys. Obviously, the nerves are a lot different when you’re out there in a game situation. They are trying to keep themselves ready. If we don’t have a long or live practice, those guys play three-on-three after it’s over to hopefully keep their conditioning and timing.’’
Once D-League play starts up, Portis can obviously see some playing time there if need be, but until then it’s a waiting game.
“That’s all I can do,’’ Portis said. “Wait and keep working.’’
