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Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons Lauri Markkanen NBA’s next superstar

By Andrew Miller

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Lauri Markkanen
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

There could be a budding superstar in the Windy City with the Chicago Bulls second-year big man Lauri Markkanen breaking through in a big way this season.

This might seem like a bit of a stretch, but the standout second-year big man for the Chicago Bulls Lauri Markkanen is putting together one of the true breakthrough 2018-19 seasons in the Eastern Conference. In a night were the Bulls were hoping to capitalize on the debut of a key trade piece and former Washington Wizards wing Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen took center stage.

The combination of Lauri Markkanen and Porter Jr. proved to be potentially something lethal for the Bulls on Feb. 8. Chicago squared up against a team that is a playoff contender in the East last night with a budding star at point guard. Former Los Angeles Lakers and Ohio State Buckeyes guard D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets were hapless against a clicking Bulls offense.

In the Feb. 8 win for the Bulls over the Nets, Lauri Markkanen put together one of the best individual performances of his career. He hasn’t had much of a shot at putting together anything constructive with the Bulls this season, considering the 13-42 record the team holds right now.

Yet, in that win over the Nets Lauri Markkanen posted a whopping 31 points and 18 rebounds, both game-highs. The efforts from Markkanen and guard Zach LaVine (26 points and five assists) pushed the Bulls to snag the momentous 125-106 win over Brooklyn on the road.

Here’s a look at the definitive five reasons why the NBA’s next budding superstar could be right here with the Chicago Bulls in the form of 21-year-old power forward Lauri Markkanen.

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