Chicago Bulls 2015 Draft Grade: Bobby Portis

The Chicago Bulls were considered one of the deepest teams coming into the 2014-15 season. However, injuries once again played a factor, as the starting lineup played just 21 games together. And while the Bulls did win 50 games and advanced to the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year, they would eventually bow out to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

That being said, the Bulls are still a few players away from being a legitimate title contender. And one of the ways the team was looking to take the next step was through the draft.

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Although there was a glaring need for a backup point guard, or a defensive-oriented wing player who could allow Jimmy Butler to rest in spurts, the Bulls opted to go in a different direction by selecting Bobby Portis, a 6’10” power forward from the University of Arkansas. Portis was named SEC Player of the Year in 2014-15 and became the first player in school history to record 1,000 points and 500 rebounds as a sophomore.

But the question is, does Mr. Portis have the potential to make an impact on a Bulls roster that already has a loaded frontcourt? Let’s take a look at the tale of the tape and find out.

Strengths

Two of the most important attributes an NBA forward must possess are scoring and rebounding. And from a first glance, it appears that Portis fits this mold perfectly. During his sophomore season at Arkansas, Portis averaged 17.5 points and 8.9 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per contest.

Along with that, every team needs a player who can provide second-chance scoring opportunities, right? Well, Portis ranked 10th in the country in offensive rebounds, averaging 3.7 per game. In other words, Portis has the potential to be for the Bulls what Tristan Thompson was for the Cavaliers this season.

Provided by Sports-Reference.com/CBB: View Original Table
Generated 6/26/2015.

Another positive attribute Portis brings to the table is that he has a decent jump shot for a big man. Not only did he shoot a respectable 54 percent overall, he also posted a 46.7 percent conversion rate from beyond the arc, albeit the sample size included just 30 attempts.

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It is also worth noting that Portis connected on 43.5 percent on his jump shots ranging from 17 feet to the three-point line. And if he continues to improve his perimeter game, the Bulls will have another player off the bench who is capable of scoring from multiple spots on the floor.

But if you think that Portis is a one-dimensional player, your assessment would be incorrect. From a defensive standpoint, Portis has the ability to use his size against interior players and his quickness to stay in front of opposing guards as well. And being that Portis plays with great intensity, he has the potential to be a good fit with a Bulls team that prides itself on playing hard-nosed defense on every possession.

Weaknesses

While Portis is a capable scorer and a decent rebounder, there are a couple of areas that could be cause for concern at the next level. For example, although Portis does finish well around the rim, as his 64 percent conversion rate indicates, he does not have an array of great post moves. And because of that fact, he is often forced to rely on contested fadeaway jump shots in situations where he is not able to get by his defender.

Another area of concern is rim protection. Although Portis is regarded as a good defender in space and on the perimeter, he is not a great shot blocker by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, he averaged just 1.7 blocks on an adjusted per-40 minutes scale. And while Fred Hoiberg is expected to implement an up-tempo offense next season, it will be difficult for Portis to earn significant playing time if he is unable to be a defensive force in the paint.

Overall Analysis

Despite the lack of a post game and shot-blocking ability, Portis is a player who has a great motor and does not need the basketball in his hands to be effective. Even more importantly, general manager Gar Forman had nothing but good things to say about him, as reported by Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson:

"“He’s a guy we think really fits the makeup of our team. We’ve had people just rave about his work ethic, how hard he plays, his makeup and character. And we really like his game. He’s a big who can play inside and outside.”"

And coach Hoiberg added this assessment, per ESPN’s John Greenberg:

"“I think, first and foremost, he moves very well for a kid his size. He’s over 6-10 and he runs the floor extremely well, which is important with the pace we’re going to want to play with. He’s good in the pick-and-roll. The thing I’m excited about is his ability to play all over the floor.”"

In the final analysis, it appears the Bulls made a good choice with this pick in spite of the talent they currently have in the frontcourt. And with Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson at less than 100 percent, Portis may be given an opportunity to show what he can do sooner rather than later.

Final Grade: B

Next: 2015 NBA Draft: Who Are The Biggest Winners And Losers?

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