On the same day that the NBA released the first half of the schedule, often-injured Bulls veteran Otto Porter Jr. insisted that his goal this season was to make sure he’s involved in as many of those games as possible.
No biggie, you say?
Well, the numbers scream something very different.
Since Porter was acquired from Washington during the 2018-19 season, the Bulls have a .286 winning percentage. When Porter actually takes the court in something other than street clothes, however, that percentage goes up to .414. The problem? The small forward is mostly in those street clothes.
In the 93 games the Bulls have had since acquiring Porter, he’s played in just 29 of them. Let it sink in that he’s made about $1.3 million per appearance as a Bull. Then take a deep breath and factor in he just exercised his $28.5 million option for one more go at it.
No wonder Porter and his health was a key topic on Friday.
“Yeah, just really focus on the healthy aspect part of it,’’ Porter said of this season. “Making sure I get my body right, knowing it could lead up to a big season this year with the Bulls where we’re looking forward to doing big things.
“I mean I’m just really focused on this year. Like I said, you can’t really change the past, and for this upcoming season, I’m just looking forward to it.’’
What new head coach Billy Donovan has to navigate is making sure Porter is there to impact games, but also keeping an eye on his minutes so they have him available for as much of the season as possible.
“I think for Otto with the amount of time that he’s missed, certainly him being healthy is the most important thing to our team,’’ Donovan said. “But he’s been back here, he’s been working, which has been great to see. I’ve always felt like even before, his time in Washington, he’s smart, he’s got a really good feel of how to play. He can make a shot, he’s a good passer. He’s just a guy that’s not been available very much since he’s been here. The more we can keep him healthy, keep him ready, I think that really, really helps the group.’’
That’s why he could start the season coming off the bench or at least with a minutes restriction out of the gate.
Fine by Porter.
“As far as the minutes and such, that’s totally up to Coach,’’ Porter said. “I told him that I would play whatever he wanted me to do, play however many minutes. It’s totally up to him, and I’m definitely down for doing that.’’
And to the schedule …
It’s not a kind start of the season for the new-look Bulls now that the first-half schedule was released.
Yes, Atlanta was very winnable in past seasons, but this is a new-look Hawks team that could offer up trouble on Dec. 23, when the Bulls tip-off the season at the United Center.
They then host Indiana and Golden State in back-to-back games, before taking a three-game trip that will have them play the Wizards twice and then Milwaukee.
Then it’s Dallas, at Portland, at Sacramento, and to Los Angeles to play both the Lakers and the Clippers, before returning home to host Boston and going back on the road to play Donovan’s old Thunder team, and Dallas.
That’s 14 games against teams that were all playoff teams or have legitimate playoff hopes this season.
As far as some games to circle in February? How about hosting the Knicks and Tom Thibodeau on both Feb. 1 and Feb. 3, and then welcoming Zion Williamson and the Pelicans to town on Feb. 10.
