Bulls Envision Bobby Portis Adding Versatility To Frontcourt

By Cody Westerlund--

CHICAGO (CBS) – If nothing else, first-round draft pick Bobby Portis has already filled one void for the Bulls.

He's the team's sole proprietor of using the third person.

"I'm going to do the things Bobby Portis does well," Portis said in response to a question of how he'll fit in with his new team.

The Bulls introduced the 6-foot-11, 250-pound Portis to the Chicago media at the Advocate Center on Monday afternoon, four days after taking him with the 22nd pick in the NBA Draft following his sophomore season at Arkansas. There were a few immediate takeaways.

One, Portis has the potential to become an endearing character in the city's eyes. In addition to using the third person, he brought donuts to share with the media and others. His youthful exuberance also showed, as he already pointed out how excited he is to be in Chicago for the next "12, 13 years." That would certainly be quite the staying power.

At the same time, Portis is down-to-earth 20-year-old, one who used "yes, sir" and "no, sir" in his responses and who has a perspective some youngsters don't, having overcome violence and poverty while growing up in Little Rock, Ark., to reach this point.

He kept that in mind when asked if he was surprised he fell in the draft, as most experts pegged him to go higher and the Bulls said they projected him as a late lottery pick.

"As a kid, I've always been the guy that's always been picked last in any situation, whether it's five-on-five or pick-up," Portis said.

"I'm just blessed to be a Bull right now."

More than anything, Portis knows the role he wants to play. He even used the term "glue guy" to describe his game, though he was much more than that at Arkansas. In being named the SEC Player of the Year in 2014-'15, Portis averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting nearly 54 percent. He was also 14-of-30 from 3-point land.

In time, the hope for the Bulls is that Portis can bring them versatility. Chicago's limited defensively, with Pau Gasol's struggles in the pick-and-roll noticeable, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson's injuries hampering them as they are north of 30 and Nikola Mirotic still inconsistent defensively.

Switching the pick-and-roll was Golden State's formula for creating havoc defensively in its championship season, and while Chicago doesn't have the personnel to employ such a strategy with such conviction, having a player who covers more ground would prove beneficial down the line.

Of course, it's offense that new coach Fred Hoiberg really loves, and Portis can knock down jumpers as well as use his size to finish.

"I saw firsthand just how versatile he is," Hoiberg said, referring to a game last season when his Iowa State team beat Arkansas despite Portis' 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. "When he took us on the perimeter, he was hitting shots, hitting threes in a game against us this year. The thing I'm most impressed with is how he runs the floor.

"He was in a system that switched a lot, so he does guard perimeter players."

Hoiberg kept an open mind, saying that Portis will have the chance to earn minutes early, even if they're not expected by outsiders.

"The way I've always operated is to go into training camp with an open mind," Hoiberg said. "That's how it worked when I was a player, and I've always had the same thing as a coach, is to go in and let guys earn their minutes.

"I know he's going to work extremely hard."

Neither Portis nor Arkansas coach Mike Anderson, who was in attendance Monday, offered reasons as for why he slipped in the draft. Perhaps it was chance, perhaps the NBA's changing climate toward emphasizing floor spacing necessitated the run on guards and wings or perhaps only the Bulls so greatly valued Portis' skill set.

The Bulls just believe they got a player who fits the system, and so did Anderson after having the enjoyment of coaching him for two seasons.

"He will be sponge," Anderson said. "People are going to get excited about Bobby Portis. He's going to bring his hard hat every single day. When you think about Fred Hoiberg, when you think about the Chicago Bulls, it's a blue-collar town. Well, Bobby's a blue-collar guy at 6-11."

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.