Former Bears Olin Kreutz Fred Miller can relate to Bobby Portis
Nikola Mirotic
The Bulls proceeded delicately  working with the NBA to determine a suitable suspension for Portis  finally arriving at eight games. They considered the version of events at practice that preceded Portis’ punch  which by several accounts implicated  Mirotic  as an aggressor. They respect  Mirotic ’s reluctance to interact with Portis  even as management supported the third-year forward by allowing him to practice during the suspension. They balance the likelihood  Mirotic  will need to be moved to another team with the reality  he  can’t be traded until Jan. 15 because of language in  his  two-year  $27 million contract.
At this point  it would surprise me if  Mirotic  ever puts on a Bulls uniform again. A trade or buyout of  his  $12.5 million salary looms. The most important step toward returning is one Mirotic has shown little interest in taking: Hashing it out with Portis in person — the way Kreutz and Miller once did with the Bears after their flare-up at an FBI gun range.
“One would think that  Mirotic  and Portis would work things out and grow closer (but) maybe football players are different ’’ said Miller  happily retired and living in Texas. “Football players are very group-oriented and believe in the team mentality.’’
Ironically  as a team  the Bulls likely will benefit long-term from this awkward experience. The absence of Portis and  Mirotic  opened up playing time for rookie first-round pick Lauri Markkanen  who has taken advantage enough for coach Fred Hoiberg to project superstardom. And Hoiberg  who still was searching for credibility as his third season began  has demonstrated a stronger voice leading a young  developmental team learning  well  how to roll with the punches.
With Bobby Portis back  Bulls supporting him and  Nikola Mirotic  becomes tougher »
Here’s when Bobby Portis and  Nikola Mirotic  should play »
Bulls will follow  Nikola Mirotic's  lead »
The Bulls proceeded delicately  working with the NBA to determine a suitable suspension for Portis  finally arriving at eight games. They considered the version of events at practice that preceded Portis’ punch  which by several accounts implicated  Mirotic  as an aggressor. They respect  Mirotic ’s reluctance to interact with Portis  even as management supported the third-year forward by allowing him to practice during the suspension. They balance the likelihood  Mirotic  will need to be moved to another team with the reality  he  can’t be traded until Jan. 15 because of language in  his  two-year  $27 million contract.
At this point  it would surprise me if  Mirotic  ever puts on a Bulls uniform again. A trade or buyout of  his  $12.5 million salary looms. The most important step toward returning is one Mirotic has shown little interest in taking: Hashing it out with Portis in person — the way Kreutz and Miller once did with the Bears after their flare-up at an FBI gun range.
“One would think that  Mirotic  and Portis would work things out and grow closer (but) maybe football players are different ’’ said Miller  happily retired and living in Texas. “Football players are very group-oriented and believe in the team mentality.’’
Ironically  as a team  the Bulls likely will benefit long-term from this awkward experience. The absence of Portis and  Mirotic  opened up playing time for rookie first-round pick Lauri Markkanen  who has taken advantage enough for coach Fred Hoiberg to project superstardom. And Hoiberg  who still was searching for credibility as his third season began  has demonstrated a stronger voice leading a young  developmental team learning  well  how to roll with the punches.
With Bobby Portis back  Bulls supporting him and  [TGT]  becomes tougher »
Here’s when Bobby Portis and  [TGT]  should play »
Bulls will follow  [TGT]'s  lead »