Pippen Ain't Easy
Fansided

Grading different aspects of the Chicago Bulls’ 2018-19 season

By Luke Askew

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Chicago Bulls hangs on the net before playing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 15, 2019 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.(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 15: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Chicago Bulls hangs on the net before playing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on March 15, 2019 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.(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Player development

The Bulls didn’t find a lot of team success this year, but on an individual level, there was a decent amount to celebrate.

When the Bulls signed Zach LaVine to his lucrative long-term contract last summer, there was a ton of skepticism surrounding the deal. If LaVine continued to play at the level he was at during the 2017-18 season, the Bulls would be severely overpaying him. They spent the money on LaVine with the assumption that he would develop into a player worthy of a big-time contract.

LaVine spent the entire 2018-19 season proving every single one of his doubters wrong. He’s more than worthy of his contract.

During his first season with the Bulls, LaVine averaged 16.7 points per game to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists on .383/.341/.813 shooting splits. During the 2018-19 season, though, LaVine averaged 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game on .467/.374/.832 shooting splits.

As for Lauri Markkanen, his numbers didn’t take a dramatic leap this season, but he passed the progress eye test with flying colors. For the first time, we saw him grabbing rebounds and bringing the ball up in transition. Nothing gave me more optimism for where this team is headed than seeing Markkanen bringing up the ball and reading the defense. Often times, he was able to take the ball all the way to the basket and use his new signature move – the drag-step floater – to put the ball in the hoop. He also developed as a playmaker in transition, frequently finding open teammates.

Overall, the two most important youngsters for the Bulls developed pretty well throughout the season, and that’s a massive win.

Grade: B+

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