Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: Little things worth appreciating for league’s strugglers

By Jacob Doole

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Justin Holiday #7 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during to the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on October 19, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 19: Justin Holiday #7 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during to the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre on October 19, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls shoots against Mike Scott #32 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls shoots against Mike Scott #32 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bulls (2-10): The Bobby Portis redemption tour

On October 17, Bobby Portis punched teammate Nikola Mirotic in the face during practice. That’s bad.

The hit left Mirotic unconscious, and he suffered a concussion and two broken bones in his face. Oh boy, that’s really bad.

Mirotic has since refused to talk to Portis, and has given the Bulls front office a “me or him” trade ultimatum, which they plan to ignore. This whole thing is seriously bad, guys.

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Fresh off an eight-game suspension, Portis is averaging career-high numbers in every major statistic despite coming off the bench. GOOD LORD THIS IS… wait, is that some good news?

Yes, the Bobby Portis redemption tour is underway. It’s only been four games, a ridiculously small sample size, but the early signs are promising for the Bulls and their practice provocateur.

In his first game back, Portis scored 21 points, pulled in 13 rebounds, hit three threes and had a positive point differential (plus-10) in a loss to the Raptors.

In his second game, he had another 20-point double-double and a point differential of just minus-six in an 18-point loss to the Pacers.

Through four games, Portis is averaging 15.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while shooting a scorching 46.7 per cent from behind the arc.

Some would say that those numbers, particularly shooting the ball, are not sustainable. But what if this is just Redemption Portis, a new and improved player out to set the record straight no matter what?

The good performances can’t end here; he has so much more to make up for. He broke his teammates face, for crying out loud! That has to be worth at least a full season of “I’m so sorry” games.

Redemption Portis is coming, and he’s coming with whatever the opposite of a vengeance is. Bulls fans should stay tuned to see just how far he’ll go to atone for his sins.

If he really feels bad, maybe he’ll drop 50 on the Warriors, or carry the team to the playoffs, or win an MVP and give it to Mirotic as a gift. You never know.

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