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Bulls Believe They've Got Something In Cristiano Felicio

By Cody Westerlund--

CHICAGO (CBS) – With his rookie NBA season nearly completed, the origins of Cristiano Felicio's path to the Bulls remain murky.

Even to coach Fred Hoiberg.

As Hoiberg best recalls, he was watching a Bulls practice ahead of Summer League just weeks after he was hired last summer when he saw a 6-foot-11, 275-pounder who grabbed his attention because he was nimble and "huge." Hoiberg had to ask assistant general manager Brian Hagen just who the heck Cristiano Felicio even was.

"Obviously, I'd never heard of him," Hoiberg said. "He went out there, and the first couple days didn't really notice him much. And then he started doing things at that size that you just can't teach."

On Saturday night at the United Center, Felicio displayed promise to a national television audience and shared center stage for the first time in his NBA career. Registering a career-high 16 points on 7-of-7 shooting and playing in crunch time for the first time (in place of Pau Gasol), Felicio provided the spark Chicago needed to hold off East-leading Cleveland, 105-102, allowing the Bulls to keep their slim playoff hopes alive for at least 23 or so more hours.

During a decisive 15-0 early fourth-quarter run in which he was on the court with Jimmy Butler and three reserves like himself, Felicio was everywhere. He had a powerful dunk in traffic, flashed his touch with a soft lefty layup and exploded to block a Kyrie Irving layup attempt from behind.

So who is this guy? Well, the 23-year-old Felicio shared this much.

Like many Brazilians, he played soccer for a few years as a youngster. He took up basketball at 13, going all in because he was tall and his soccer team had asked him to play goalie – which can be viewed as an insult of sorts in a country that's produced some of the most skilled players in the sport's history.

At 18, Felicio said he moved from a smaller city to a bigger one as he pursued his basketball career. By 2013, he was playing for C.R. Flamengo in Rio de Janeiro. Sometime ahead of Summer League last July, the Bulls discovered him and invited him to Las Vegas. How exactly, neither Hoiberg nor Felicio could explain in short order Saturday.

Felicio just knew he had his chance. There were no promises made by the Bulls, but Felicio impressed quickly in Summer League practices and competition, and he was signed and received a training camp invite. And then he just kept working and latched on.

"I'd been trying for a few years now" to reach the NBA, Felicio said, adding he didn't ever receive serious interest from other NBA teams. "I'm glad I had the chance."

Injuries to several Bulls' big men – notably Joakim Noah and now Taj Gibson – created an opportunity for Felicio. On a team that's been exploited time and time again in the pick-and-roll, seeing Felicio fly around and disrupt foes has been like a Bigfoot sighting.

"I just try to bring the energy, a defensive mindset," Felicio said. "That's what gets me going."

At every turn in recent weeks, Hoiberg has been certain to laud Felicio.

"He's got great feet out there, and he's nimble," Hoiberg said. "And he's got excellent hands.

"Kid's got a chance to be really good. I'm happy for him. He's getting his chance, and he's taking full advantage of it."

If only the Bulls had collectively displayed Felicio's attitude for the first 79 games of this disappointing season, they wouldn't feel so helpless. With two games left, the tragic number of the Bulls (40-40) remains one. They'll be eliminated with one loss or one win by the Pacers (42-37), who host the lowly Nets on Sunday.

The end being nigh was too much late Saturday to think about for Hoiberg, who held out the slightest of hope.

"Hope for a miracle," Hoiberg said.

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.

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