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Washington Wizards big man Bobby Portis made history on Friday night.
Barely more than 24 hours after being traded from the Chicago Bulls, the Washington Wizards' newest big man dropped 30 points on 12-of-18 shooting in 27 minutes off the bench during his team's 119-106 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Such an awesome performance would be notable by itself considering the circumstances surrounding his debut in the nation's capital. But combined with the 33 points he scored in his last game with the Bulls, Portis has etched his name in the history books.
Bobby Portis had 33 points in his final game as a Bull and 30 points in his first game as a Wizard.
He's the 1st player in NBA history with back-to-back 30-point games for different franchises within a season. H/T @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/XpsHmKYNy1
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 9, 2019
But he wasn't the only player the Wizards acquired in the Otto Porter trade, nor the only one who acquitted himself well on Friday night. Jabari Parker stuffed the stat sheet for Washington with seven points, 11 rebounds, a career-high tying nine assists, and three steals while going 3-of-6 from the field. Needless to say, Scott Brooks had to be happy with the contributions of his team's newest players.
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Portis certainly was.
"I think the Wizards got a steal with me and Jabari…"
DAMN Bobby pic.twitter.com/JDvZlnox06
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) February 9, 2019
Frankly, it must feel freeing for Portis and Parker, especially, to be playing for a team other than Chicago, even if the Wizards aren't some bastion of strategic mastery or unflappable locker-room culture. Bulls coach Jim Boylen got off on the wrong foot with his team after replacing the ousted Fred Hoiberg in early December, immediately implementing old-school practice and training regimens that nearly caused a revolt by the players. At least Portis was consistently getting on the floor; Parker was first fazed completely out of the rotation, then brought back in, and finally benched for his final two games with the Bulls.
The grass isn't always greener. Given how well Portis and Parker played in their Washington debuts, though, it certainly seems like they're happier with their new team.
