The floor has collapsed and we’re underground now

Just when we thought the Bulls’ dysfunction couldn’t sink any lower…

According to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic were involved in an altercation during practice that resulted in Mirotic being hospitalized with a concussion and a maxillary fracture. A scrimmage grew increasingly more hostile, then led to punches being thrown and Mirotic on the ground for several minutes. Mirotic will be out indefinitely (several weeks, minimum), and Portis will almost assuredly be suspended.

It’s no surprise that the Bulls making news for less-than-ideal reasons, but intra-team violence? Really? Portis is entering his third season, Mirotic his fourth. They’re not 19-year-olds who’ve never been in the league, and even if they were, this type of childishness would be inexcusable. It’s the same refrain for the Bulls: they continue to be the biggest obstacle between them and success. This time, there are just more broken bones.

Mirotic’s absence will hurt the team, not that they were going to win many games anyway. Portis being sidelined will mean less depth, but it’s not as if he was much of a positive anyway. He seems to fit best on offense as a backup center, but he’s so terrible on defense that he eliminates any advantage his 3-point shooting might add. His future in Chicago could very well be in doubt after something like this, but that’s purely speculation.

Lauri Markkanen, get laced up. You’re the new starting power forward for the Chicago Bulls.