Another pieces of the Bulls of the future has been slowly taking shape and he comes in the form of rookie Bobby Portis.

Portis has always been regarded as a promising player of the future but the problem is that head coach Fred Hoiberg was unable to find the proper time to field him and give him the proper minutes.

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But after the Bulls 108-81 triumph over the Knicks on Friday, Portis was again a picture of promise after racking up impressive numbers (16 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists).

Could his emergence be a sign of things to come? Does it threaten the regular spots of other veteran forwards like Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol or even Nikola Mirotic?

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If the last five games are to be a basis, it could be a possibility.

Portis has always been known as someone who could play and his toughness and willingness to mix it up has all the more backed up that claim.

With his rise, the Bulls future has of course become brighter. He is another player that could very well dislodge some of the veterans in the foreseeable future and Hoiberg just doesn’t want to think about it right now.

Either that, or he just doesn’t want to divulge what his plans are. But sooner or later he may have to.

Noah has been out of the rotation. but likely to be returning soon. Giving the 22nd overall draft pick of the 2015 NBA Draft the exposure from hereon will work to Chicago's benefit, though one has to wonder how Portis will fare in key games.

As far as Portis is concerned, he admits he has a long way to go.

"I still have to come to work every day and work as hard as I can to get better, and I have to come in and still earn my stripes,” Portis said via ESPN.

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