Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Game Outlook

By Daniel Coughlin

November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) moves the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) moves the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Julius Randle vs. Bobby Portis

So a big problem that emerged from Saturday night’s contest with the Clippers was centered around fourth quarter rotations.

Robin Lopez has been a stud for the Bulls this season, but he has some major deficiencies when he’s forced to venture away from the rim on defense. Fred Hoiberg knows this and soon the rest of the league is going to catch on, if they haven’t already. Doc Rivers figured out the hole in the Chicago defense last night and used Marresse Speights to absolutely punish the Bulls with 11 points and two huge offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter.

Next: Tale of Two Bigs: Portis and Felicio

Portis has a lot of potential to be a terrific shooter, from 3-point range and inside, and the athleticism to be a strong defender. The problem is that he is still very much in that developmental phase of his career and isn’t strong enough in either aspect of his game. Despite that fact being apparent, Hoiberg rolled the dice with Portis, keeping Lopez on the bench for most of the fourth quarter. Hoiberg needs to figure out a good combination and Nikola Mirotic isn’t the answer. Maybe it’s time we get to see some Lopez-Cristiano Felicio closing lineups. Felicio is an offensive crater, but the rest of the team doesn’t suffer when he’s on the floor. Chicago is a plus defensive team when he’s on the floor, which can’t be said for Portis. It might be time to give it a go.

Now, Portis might not be the answer that everyone is looking for right now, but he has massive potential to be involved in the most entertaining matchup against Los Angeles: Julius Randle.

Randle is a lot of fun. He’s also turning into a kind of oversized Matthew Dellavedova in how he irks opponents. He jawed with the all-time trash talking king, Kevin Garnett, last season. This season he’s been in it with DeMarcus Cousins and Tyson Chandler. He might not be making friends, but he’s bringing the fun for fans.

If we see another fourth quarter shift for Portis, you can bet that he and Randle will cross paths. That won’t go well for either player. Feels like there is an impending technical out there somewhere for one of those two bigs when they place on Sunday. Of course, that might be completely wrong. Only one way to find out and hopefully it will be just enough of a distraction to take the focus off Portis being in a closing lineup while Lopez and Felicio sit on the bench.

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