Earlier this week, the Chicago Bulls had to deal with an internal ordeal involving an altercation between forwards Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic that landed the latter in the hospital needing surgery to repair maxillary fractures and treat a concussion.
Former Bulls big man and current San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol has given his perspective on the situation as he told K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune that he was surprised by how things unfolded between his two former teammates.
“I was surprised it got to that point—basically out of hand,” Gasol said at the Spurs morning shootaround. “Sometimes, there are tensions between teammates and especially at the same position you’re competing and fighting for minutes. But you should never let it escalate to a fight or someone throwing and delivering punches to a teammate.
“I know both guys and I know they’re both highly competitive. They’re young guys who both want to play minutes. But that’s not the way to do it.”
Pau Gasol also stated that he has spoken to Nikola Mirotic since the injury and stated that the 26-year-old is recovering at home. The two have played together on the Spanish national team over the years.
Mirotic is expected to miss the next four to six weeks from the injury while Bobby Portis is serving an eight-game suspension for his actions in the incident. The 22-year-old Bulls forward had issued a public apology on Saturday where he voiced his regret for his actions while voicing that this isn't the type of person he is.
Ultimately, this is a situation that will have to play itself between both players to make amends once Nikola Mirotic returns to the Bulls.
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