Pippen Ain't Easy
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Chicago Bulls: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Luke Askew

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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4. Lauri Markkanen

  • Draft year: 2017
  • Pick: 7

Lauri Markkanen is quickly transitioning from one of the most exciting young Bulls in a long time to one of the most disappointing individual situations in a long time.

His rookie year was magnificent. He blew pre-draft expectations out of the water. He was more athletic than people thought. His 3-point shooting ability translated nicely to the NBA. And he was more dynamic with the ball in his hands than anyone could’ve imagined.

Markkanen’s second year in the league was a small step forward, but a step forward nonetheless. This season, though, everything fell apart.

Lauri is the second-most talented guy on the Bulls’ roster (Zach LaVine holding that no. 1 spot), yet he can’t work his way into a legitimate role in the Bulls’ offensive scheme. Part of the blame falls on Jim Boylen for failing to use Markkanen in an effective way, but Markkanen has to take some blame too. If he wants to be more than a below-average stretch four, he needs to start thinking of himself as a legitimate NBA scorer. He needs to take control.

He’s only 22 years old, so there’s still a lot of time for Markkanen to figure it out, but things are trending downward for The Finnisher.

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