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Chicago Bulls: 2015-16 Season Awards

By James D. Tillman III

Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) talks to forward Doug McDermott (3) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) talks to forward Doug McDermott (3) against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Bulls beat the Raptors 109-107. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Bobby Portis (5) is defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago won 105-102. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of The Year: Bobby Portis

The Bulls had every intention on shoring up the backup point guard position heading into last year’s draft. However, when Bobby Portis was still on the board at No. 22, the front office decided that he was a player they could not afford to pass on.

Portis reinforced that notion, as he posted averages of 14.5 points and 8.7 rebounds during the 2015 Summer League tournament. And during his rookie season, he averaged 7.0 points and 5.4 rebounds on 43 percent shooting while playing just 18 minutes per contest.

On an adjusted per-36 minutes scale, those numbers improved to 14.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per outing.

Like his former teammate, Joakim Noah, Portis plays with tenacious energy at both ends of the floor; he is comfortable playing around the rim and he has improved his mid-range game as well.

During this year’s Summer League tournament, Portis was Chicago’s leading scorer, with averages of 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. As a result of his outstanding play, he was named to the All-NBA Summer League First Team.

Portis exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign, and he should play an even larger role in the rotation next season.

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