Chicago Bulls: Players that could surprisingly win KIA NBA Award
By Abe Rotbart
No. 2 Kia NBA Most Improved Player:
I debated putting Denzel Valentine in this spot, giving Thad Young the Sixth Man of the Year award and going with Wendell Carter Jr. as Defensive Player of the Year. There is however one player on the Bulls whose improvement is more critical than Valentines.
The Bulls must see consistent and considerably measurable improvement from their 22-year-old third year player Laurie Markkanen. A seven-foot one inch power forward with a smooth outside stroke and the ability to put the ball on the floor, Markkanen displays a repertoire of moves that should make him nearly impossible to defend.
Most players that can move with him, are a couple of inches shorter. He can easily shoot over them whether in the post or from outside the arc. In a small ball lineup, Markkanen can even exploit his size and agility from the center position.
In 22 of 52 games last year, Markkanen scored twenty points or more. During one dominant ten game stretch, he averaged 25.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 from three and put up eight double-doubles. At other times, he seemed to disappear, even being under twenty points during a period of nine games in a row.
For the Bulls to take that next step, they need Markkanen to raise his scoring from 18.7 points per game to 23 and his rebounds per game from 9 to 12. Along with Zach LaVine, Markkanen is a second key piece from the Jimmy Butler trade still waiting to reach his potential.