MIROTIC’S FACE IS HEALING, BUT RIFT WITH PORTIS ISN’T
With Mirotic back at practice, encounter with Portis looms
The two broken bones in Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic’s face were healed enough for him to practiceMonday.
The healing of his relationship with teammate Bobby Portis evidently is going to take more time.
Mirotic, who participated in his first practice since Portis punched him in the face Oct. 17, ran pre- practice sets with guards Zach LaVine and Jerian Grant and even took light contact.
And while there was still no timetable for Mirotic to return to games, coach Fred Hoiberg said it was definitely progress.
‘‘ As far as what he can provide on the floor, he’s obviously a guy who has a lot of experience playing at the professional level, a lot of years overseas,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘ He has had some really good moments in this league and given us some great production. Getting him back out here is certainly a step in the right direction.’’
There still has been no contact between Mirotic and Portis since the practice altercation, and the Sun- Times has reported that Mirotic and his representatives told the Bulls that Portis had to go or Mirotic would be willing to waive his no- trade clause so that he could be dealt.
So with Mirotic back at practice, how is this going to work?
‘‘ There will have to be some interaction at some point, obviously, now that they’re out there playing together,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘ They’ll be on the same team and playing against each other [ in practices]. So it is important to get those guys communicating, which I think we’re all confident will happen.’’
Maybe the two will be able to communicate about basketball issues on the court and leave it at that. That’s a scenario center Robin Lopez is prepared for, and he said itwouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
‘‘ That’s a possibility,’’ Lopez said when he was asked about Mirotic and Portis limiting any talk to basketball. ‘‘ If everything is going well on the basketball court, they’re doing their jobs, performing their duties, I don’t see why not. I would hope that it would go beyond that, but if it comes to that, I think it’s good.’’
Lopez pointed out he has had teammates he couldn’t stand and limited communication with them to the court.
‘‘ That’s something a lot of people have encountered in the league,’’ Lopez said. ‘‘ But we’re professionals for a reason, right?’’
As for the front office’s role in the situation, vice president John Paxson has stressed that the Bulls will do what’s right for the organization. So a scenario in which Mirotic or Portis is dealt remains unlikely, especially with no real market for either player.
Now it comes down to keeping an eye on the situation to see whether the relationship can mend itself enough for them to compete together.
‘‘ And I think that’s the job of all of us,’’ Lopez said. ‘‘ That’s a job for anybody that’s being part of a basketball team.
‘‘ We’re a step closer to being at full strength. I’ve had a locker next to Niko. I love being next to the guy. I love having him with us right now.’’