Bobby Portis might be the reason Taj Gibson could be packing his bags and leaving Chicago before the trade deadline, but that doesn’t stop Gibson from acknowledging Portis’ toughness.
Bobby Portis with 12 and 9 in 27 minutes: “Taj told me to be a dog, just be myself.”
— Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) December 29, 2015
I believe Taj Gibson just called Tyrus Thomas "Tyrus Thompson." Even more odd: He cited him as vet influence during his rookie year.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 29, 2015
“My rook is making me better in practice. I’m guarding him every time. He’s a young guy, but he’s so eager. He challenges you every day. It’s like I’m going against one of the old time Boston Celtic players; so much aggression and trash talking. I love it, but he’s still a rookie. He’s going to make mistakes, still have to tell him to be aggressive, know the (defensive) coverage." - Taj Gibson on Bobby Portis
“Rookies always work their way in on this team, from Jimmy, myself, Joakim, everybody, earn their minutes. Bobby is earning his minutes, doing it the right way, coming to practice and busting his tail, putting the work in, never complaining and that’s the right way. There might be criticism for not coming in and playing early like other guys. But he is being molded the right way and you see tonight it’s going to make him an ever better player later in the season.” - Taj Gibson on Bobby Portis
Just how Ben Wallace and Brad Miller were mentors for Joakim Noah, or Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas were mentors for Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis has an array of big men on the Bulls roster to look up to as mentors. Whether it's Gasol's skill, Noah's energy, or Gibson's craftiness, Portis has everything he needs to help develop his game.
