The Bulls acquired Otto Porter Jr. from the Wizards in exchange for Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker and coach Jim Boylen is happy with the transaction.
“He’s just a basketball player. That’s what we needed, that’s what we got,” Boylen said (via Mark Strotman of NBC Sports). “What that means is you can throw him out there and he can get somebody else going, he can get himself going, he can make shots off the move.
“I think he showed the whole thing tonight. He showed a lot of versatility. I’m really thankful he’s a Bull.”
Here’s more from the Eastern Conference:
- Magic coach Steve Clifford is using some his downtime to watch game tape of Markelle Fultz and analyze the point guard’s play, John Denton of NBA.com relays. Denton notes that Fultz will likely work with assistants Bruce Kreutzer and Steve Hetzel, two coaches whom Kemba Walker has previously credited with helping to improve his shot.
- While Clifford can understand how a change of scenery may help Fultz, the coach believes Fultz’s jump shot will ultimately determine his success with the Magic, as Denton passes along in the same piece. “How you fit with your teammates is a big deal, and the best players can play with anybody in any system,’’ Clifford said. “To me, if you want to say a different city, new start, different teammates, things like that [might help Fultz]. But, to be frank, the issue has been [Fultz’s] shoulder and his shooting and if you’re not a range shooter, you’re not going to be a good pick-and-roll player. With that part, we’ll see.’’
- Pacers forward Thaddeus Young was thrilled when he learned that the team was pursuing Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency in 2017, J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star writes. “I said Bogey is a walking bucket. He can score in different ways that people don’t even know,” said Young, who previously played alongside Bogdanovic in Brooklyn. “I learned a lot about Bogey. I’ll play any day with Bogey on any team.”
Wow Boylen! Porter is a basketball player!!! Did anyone not know that?
It was a dog whistle and a jab at Portis and Parker, because they were very vocal shlt-starters, drama queens, and distractions. Much more Parker than Portis.
What did that take, a short plane ride or layover for Steve Clifford to analyze the game tape?
Bogdanovic should get paid well on his next contract. A solid scorer who can light it up from three and can defend decently well. I kind of hope the Pacers keep him around but considering all the cap space that is going to be available this offseason, some team is probably going to panic and is going to overpay Bogdanovic after they miss out on one of the big stars.
J. Michael said last week the Pacers intend to re sign Bogdanovic this summer. I see them keeping Young too. The Pacers wanted to give minutes on the floor to Turner and Sabonis together, but it hasn’t worked out. I don’t see them paying both Turner and Sabonis $17mm a season. The Pacers said they offered a veteran and a young player for Mike Conley, but said Memphis wanted too much. I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered Sabonis and Aaron Holiday as part of the deal. Woj said he expects them to revisit it this summer.