Parker, Portis make emotional return to Chicago

Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis made an emotional return to the Windy City just days after being dealt from the Chicago Bulls to the Washington Wizards.

During a stoppage of play on Saturday, the Bulls honored both players with a tribute video.

"I don’t like to really show my emotions that way to the public. But it was a great feeling just to have a tribute video," Portis said, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "I feel like I put a lot of hours, time, blood, sweat, and tears into playing for the Bulls. It was tough for me. But I’ve moved on now. But I will never forget those three-and-a-half years I had wearing No. 5 for the Bulls."

Portis was drafted 22nd overall by the Bulls in 2015.

"I'm still from the city. I'm still from Chicago," Parker said, according to Sam Smith of Bulls.com. "So I'm always going to come back. That doesn't change as much. I'm rooted here. I don't forget where I come from."

For Parker, a Chicago native, the trade marked a disappointing end to a short stint with his boyhood club. The former No. 2 overall pick sat out of 12 games after Bulls head coach Jim Boylen removed him from the rotation in mid-December.

While Parker respects Boylen's decision, he felt he had more to give and admits it was difficult seeing their relationship go sour.

"I played more minutes on the No. 1 team in Milwaukee," Parker said, according to Johnson. "I was a big factor, especially in the playoffs. So just coming here and playing for the Bulls, it was just very surprising because I thought I’d be utilized just knowing the circumstances of where I came from."

Parker and Portis combined for 30 points, 17 boards, 10 assists, and four blocks off the bench in the Wizards' 134-125 victory.