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Chicago Bulls: 5 things to love about the team on Valentine’s Day

By Luke Askew

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls hi-fives teammates as he is introduced onto the court before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls hi-fives teammates as he is introduced onto the court before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 17, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Lauri Markkanen’s development

Lauri Markkanen had a rookie season that exceeded nearly everyone’s expectations. He averaged 15.2 points per game on 43.4 percent shooting from the field and 36.2 percent shooting from 3-point range to go along with 7.5 rebounds.

The numbers don’t jump off the page, but he passed the eye test with flying colors. He was just as lethal of a shooter (if not more lethal) as Bulls fans hoped he would be, he was more versatile on defense than originally expected and he showed that he can create shots for himself using his above-average handle.

Lauri was simply phenomenal as a rookie.

This season, though, Markkanen got off to a rough start. He missed the first 23 games due to an elbow injury, and his return was less exciting than most Bulls fans were hoping it would be. It seemed like a sophomore slump was in order for Markkanen – until all of a sudden he found his inner “Finnisher” and showed the world he’s only trending up.

Over the last six games, Markkanen has been on an absolute tear. His scoring has been ridiculously good (25.3 points per game on 49.0 percent shooting from the field and 36.6 percent shooting from 3-point land), but his rebounding and playmaking have taken a leap forward as well. During that same stretch of six games, Markkanen has averaged 12.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

The 2.7 assists per game aren’t a whole lot, but it’s more than double what Markkanen’s season average is, so it’s still impressive.

Markkanen is giving Bulls fans a lot of hope around this time of the year.

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