NBA Power Rankings, Day 1: The Tankers, the Rebuilders, and the Disasters
23. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls took baby steps in recent years and have officially graduated to this tier now that they’re ready to compete for the postseason. It’s not saying much, since the East is weak. But we’re about to see what they can do with real stakes. This team isn’t too shabby, either. Say what you will about Zach LaVine’s J.R. Smith–style tendencies, but he’s a scorer who has been empowered this preseason to carry Chicago’s offense. The roster around him is coming together: The Bulls’ five best young players include talented bigs in Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr., a stabilizing two-way forward in Otto Porter Jr., and another scoring guard in Coby White. With some veterans like Thad Young and Tomás Satoransky sprinkled in, the Bulls will be in the mix for the playoffs. But here’s the most pressing question: How does Lauri fit into the offensive equation?
Markkanen isn’t a shot creator like LaVine or White. LaVine will lead the team in touches and shots this season, and if White shoots like he has in preseason, he’ll put up volume numbers. Even Porter has been empowered to handle the ball more frequently on the break and in the pick-and-roll. Porter isn’t a star playmaker, but he’s a better passer than Markkanen. Bulls head coach Jim Boylen often has to relegate Markkanen to a basic pick-and-pop or spot-up shooting role.
That’s a gross underutilization of Markkanen’s offensive talent. He can run off screens for 3s, attack the basket off the dribble, and handle the ball in the pick-and-roll. I wasn’t particularly high on Markkanen in his draft because of his limitations as a defender, rebounder, and passer. But there’s no denying his scoring potency, and it’s an open question whether there will be enough opportunity for his strengths to manifest in Chicago.
It’s only Markkanen’s third season, but he’s had problems with injuries and could stand to be more aggressive. Entering the season, it’s clear he falls behind LaVine, White, and possibly Porter in the hierarchy—which makes sense now, but may not down the line if the franchise wants to keep rising from the bottom. As promising as the Bulls are, should they invest more in Markkanen?
Siis mitä paskaa tuo Lauria koskeva osa oikein on.
Jos tosiaan Boylen on jotenkin joutunut estämään / rajoittamaan Laurin osallisuutta Bullsin hyökkäyspelissä ja jos tuon toimittajan mukaan Lauri olisi todellisessa hierarkiassa Lavinen,Whiten ja Porterin takana 4:tenä niin ilman muuta parempi Laurille hyväksyä ensimmäinen kohdalle osuva offer-sheet sekä jättää jatkosoppari tekemättä ( jos sopparin kokonaisarvo alle 100 miljoonaa ) ja nostaa kytkintä ( lue lähteä ) Bullsista heti kesällä 2021 sillä tuollaiseen jengiin Laurin ei kannata jäädä jos nuo väitteet pitää paikkansa.