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Chicago Bulls Talk: Is 2018 the year of Lauri Markkanen?

By Juan Hernandez

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls talks to the media during NBA All-Star Media Day as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls talks to the media during NBA All-Star Media Day as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lauri Markkanen is coming off an excellent rookie season and performed better than most people had expected. The Chicago Bulls rebuild could end sooner than expected if they unleash Lauri Markkanen in the 2018-2019 season.

For Chicago Bulls fans that are still bitter about falling in the lottery, just remember who the Bulls were able to choose last year with the seventh pick. The Bulls aren’t in the worst spot in the world. This year’s class will definitely have a player or two that we will look back at and go: “How did he fall to (insert number here)?” (See Donovan Mitchell.)

Whoever the Bulls choose at seven will hope to make an immediate impact on an already solid young core with Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and Lauri Markkanen. All three of those players have shown flashes in their short time with the Bulls. The one that Bulls fans are most excited about is the sharpshooting big man out of Finland.

Markkanen finished the year averaging 15.2 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds. He was chosen for the NBA All-Rookie First team which is no joke this year when you look at the talent pool to choose from. He did this averaging just under 30 minutes per game on only 12.7 shots per game. Increase those minutes to 34-35 next year, and the shots to 16-17 and you’re looking at a leap from starter to future all star.

But that’s the key: the coaching staff needs to spend the offseason finding ways to get Lauri the ball. There were too many times last year in which Lauri was matched up with either a smaller or weaker defender and was not fed the ball. Some of that was just Lauri being young and still feeling out his role in the league, but a great deal of it was poor execution by the offense. With the skillset Lauri has, he could develop into one of the biggest mismatches on the court.

Markkanen will only get better

There aren’t many players with Markkanen’s size that can do the things that he can. A 7-footer that can pass, dribble, and shoot is an incredible asset in today’s NBA. There obviously are some improvements that Markkanen must make as well in order to take his game to the next level such as:

  • Improvement in rebounding position
  • Getting stronger
  • Knowing where to be on defense

Let’s not forget that Lauri is newly 21 years old so his basketball IQ and his strength will naturally increase as he becomes more familiar with the NBA game. He has all the physical tools that he needs in order to dominate, so it’s all just a matter of time before he really starts making a difference on both ends of the floor.

Next: Does Antonio Blakeney deserve more playing time?

Based on interviews that I’ve seen, Lauri is already a very respected player in this league and has the full support of his teammates and peers. He checks off all the boxes that you need in order to become a superstar and I think it’s only a matter of time before that happens.

2017 was the year that Lauri Markkanen was introduced to everyone. 2018 will be the year Lauri Markkanen officially arrives.

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