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Chicago Bulls: Bobby Portis breakthrough having massive impact

By Andrew Miller

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls in action during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 30: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls in action during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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Among the very few bright spots for the bottoming Chicago Bulls of late is the positive production of fourth-year forward Bobby Portis.

Since returning from an ankle injury he originally suffered against the Brooklyn Nets on Dec. 19, the former Arkansas Razorbacks forward and first round NBA Draft selection Bobby Portis is having a big impact on the rotation for the Chicago Bulls.

In a season where the Bulls can’t do much right on the court, and are just hoping for a good spot in the 2019 NBA Draft lottery, the rise of Portis is a noticeable bright spot. The Chicago Bulls sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings and aren’t really in contention for a playoff spot at this point of the regular season.

The past two outings for Portis saw him register at least 25 points in each game. One of those games resulted in a victory, and the other came in a close loss to the Charlotte Hornets in a night where star point guard Kemba Walker could do no wrong. In a 125-118 Feb. 2 win for the Hornets over the Chicago Bulls, Walker posted 37 points which was good for game-high beyond the 33 from Portis and 30 from big man Lauri Markkanen.

This big stretch for Portis within the past month isn’t the first breakthrough we’ve seen out of him. He’s posting a player efficiency among the best on the Chicago Bulls roster and in the top 30 percent of the entire NBA since the start of the 2017-18 regular season.

This shift in numbers for Portis started largely due to the spike in his usage rate since the start of last season. Portis has a usage rate of at least 26 percent in each of the last two seasons. The correlation in usage rate and production for Portis is a strong one since he’s now posting at least 21 points per 36 minutes while shooting at least 45 percent from the field in the last two seasons.

Moreover, Portis is doing a much better job of efficiently managing the possessions where he has the ball in hands for a good chunk of time. He’s averaging just two turnovers per 36 minutes and his turnover percentage sits well under 10 percent, which shows he’s reliable with the ball in his control this season.

The confusion behind the Bulls run of success while standing shooting guard Zach LaVine is out of the lineup could be answered by the elevated production of Portis recently. Portis has at least 15 points in five of his last 10 outings. He also did that with at least six rebounds and one steal on three occasions.

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If Portis keeps this type of production and efficiency for the Chicago Bulls, he could be a key piece of this rebuild moving forward and will see his value skyrocket. Portis is a much better than average forward with the ball in his hands and is getting his opportunity with the Bulls struggling in the East and dealing with a multitude of injuries.

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