Chicago Bulls: What’s wrong with Lauri Markkanen?

Where to go from here

A lot of the blame right now tends to fall on the shoulders of Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen. After John Paxson and Gar Forman elected to pass up a coaching search over the offseason and take the interim tag off Boylen with a three-year contract extension, all bets were off. The Bulls made a commitment for at least one season it seemed to Boylen.

So far, it seems like Boylen’s coaching style and lack of in-game adjustments are playing to the detriment of young rising talents like Markkanen and WCJ. Both have obvious gaps in their production that aren’t maximizing their skill sets.

Get Markkanen free, and let him drive the lane more often than he is now. If he’s injured and that’s holding him back from truly expanding his offensive arsenal, get the proper rest and diagnosis in this time. He is getting to the free-throw line more often and converting at the rim at a good rate, despite his shooting falling off from range.

While it doesn’t feel like Boylen is going to make the proper adjustments anytime soon, there are good ideas to roll with for Markkanen. It also feels like law of averages has to catch up with Markkanen and the Bulls eventually and he will find his rhythm. Keep getting him open looks and they should fall at a higher clip soon.