Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen seems to be the team’s kryptonite

Since the conclusion of the All-Star Break, things have not been going well at all for first-year head coach Billy Donovan and this Chicago Bulls team. In a spot where the Bulls had a nice opportunity to knock off two shorthanded (but otherwise playoff caliber) teams in the Eastern Conference at the outset of the second half of the regular season schedule, they really laid an egg. After the Bulls last two losses, they now hold a record of 16-20.

Those aforementioned two losses for the Bulls since the end of the All-Star Break came at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat. The Bulls did so when the Sixers were missing both star point guard Ben Simmons and center Joel Embiid.

Meanwhile, in the Bulls loss to star shooting guard/small forward Jimmy Butler and the Heat, they were missing star center Bam Adebayo.

It’s pretty hard to believe that the Bulls fell short to a Sixers team without their two stars, and a .500 Heat team that was without one of their two big stars. And neither of those two games were really close in the end.

Those losses for the Bulls since the conclusion of the All-Star Break came when this Bulls team was pretty much at full health. The Bulls did get back fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen and veteran small forward Otto Porter Jr. this week, but that hasn’t helped all that much.

Where the Chicago Bulls go from here on out

Getting Markkanen back should’ve really been a boost of energy for this team, but it has been anything but so far. Since returning from his shoulder injury in the Bulls loss to the Sixers, Markkanen has played pretty well.

As a whole this season, Markkanen was really effective when he’s actually healthy. In the 16 games that Markkanen has played in for the Bulls so far this season, he’s averaged around 20 points per game, six rebounds, one assist, one steal, and 0.5 blocks. And he’s shot 51.9 percent from the field, 43.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.

The problem for the Bulls when Markkanen in the lineup doesn’t really have to do with his counting stats or advanced metrics. This is looking like it could be a career best season statistically for Markkanen in the midst of the final year of his rookie contract.

The Bulls hold a record of just 5-11 in the 16 games that Markkanen has played in for them this season. And those five wins were mostly not against the best teams. Three of the five wins that Markkanen was a part of this season were not against playoff caliber teams at this point of the season.

Although, there is some level of correlation between Markkanen’s solid play and the Bulls finding more success in the win column. In the games where Markkanen posted a game score of at least 12.0 this season, the Bulls have won four of nine. But that’s still not a great mark for the Bulls as a whole.

That does leave the Bulls with a record of 11-9 in the 20 games that Markkanen did not play in for them this season. That’s a pretty stark contrast considering the sharpshooting big man is playing so well when healthy thus far.

The key to progress for the Bulls when Markkanen is in the lineup is clear; feed him when he’s not and keep him in the background when he’s not. The Bulls have won three of four games this season in which Markkanen has put at least 10 field goals in the hoop.

Markkanen is a rhythm shooter, and always has been since his time starring for the Arizona Wildcats. If he’s on, the Bulls need to feed him. If he’s not, let someone like star shooting guard Zach LaVine or second-year point guard Coby White take command of the offense.

Markkanen and the Bulls will carry their two-game losing streak into a meeting with the improving Toronto Raptors at home at the United Center on March 14. This team needs to find more stability and soon, or else they will continue to fade out of the playoff picture in the East.