With the #7 Pick in the NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls select Lauri Markkanen from the U of Arizona Wildcats.
As I see it, the Bulls once again traded up to get a tall, high percentage perimeter shooter. They did this very thing in 2014 selecting 6' 8" Doug McDermott #11. I also see a bit of this shooting skill in the 2015 drafting of Bobby Portis, a 6' 11" PF from Arkansas at #22.
Now McDermott is gone via trade, never fulfilling expectations and subsequently a bust to most Chicago fans. The Bulls gave up mid-level draft picks to move up to select McDermott. Bobby Portis is TBD. He has avoided the bust label but expectations are this 3rd year player should contribute on a rebuilding Bulls team.
Markkanen is not explosively athletic and there are indicative stats like blocks and steals per game that underwhelm. Some criticize his physical limitations; shortish arm length, thin build and lack of explosiveness and they see a weak NBA defender. Most players don't become stars so these are safe criticisms to levy at a 19 year old PF/C. Odds are against any #7 pick.
He is, however, 7' and coordinated and, as a freshman, carried the Wildcats into the NCAA tournament. With a sports and basketball pedigree and good work habits he stands out. It's reported Lauri as a 10 year old practiced 4 hours a day and to this day he always talks about basketball.
Today I'd rank Markkanen as the 4th option at center behind Lopez, Felicio and Portis and he is the 3rd option at PF, behind Mirotic and Portis. Markkanen might play at SF which would rank him 3rd behind Holiday and Zipser. The Bulls could play him at SF along side their defensive guards, Nwada and Dunn.
Chicago has a philosophy that depends on floor spacing and seeks a high percentage shooter that can't easily be blocked. They wanted this from McDermott, and Mirotic. Neither satisfy with McDermott gone and Mirotic in a RFA contract hold out wanting more money. Now the Bulls expect this from Lauri Markkanen. It's a reasonable expectation. If he meets it, then the Bulls hit on their draft.
As I see it, the Bulls once again traded up to get a tall, high percentage perimeter shooter. They did this very thing in 2014 selecting 6' 8" Doug McDermott #11. I also see a bit of this shooting skill in the 2015 drafting of Bobby Portis, a 6' 11" PF from Arkansas at #22.
Now McDermott is gone via trade, never fulfilling expectations and subsequently a bust to most Chicago fans. The Bulls gave up mid-level draft picks to move up to select McDermott. Bobby Portis is TBD. He has avoided the bust label but expectations are this 3rd year player should contribute on a rebuilding Bulls team.
Markkanen is not explosively athletic and there are indicative stats like blocks and steals per game that underwhelm. Some criticize his physical limitations; shortish arm length, thin build and lack of explosiveness and they see a weak NBA defender. Most players don't become stars so these are safe criticisms to levy at a 19 year old PF/C. Odds are against any #7 pick.
He is, however, 7' and coordinated and, as a freshman, carried the Wildcats into the NCAA tournament. With a sports and basketball pedigree and good work habits he stands out. It's reported Lauri as a 10 year old practiced 4 hours a day and to this day he always talks about basketball.
Markkanen was born into a family of athletes, but his drive and dedication are the main reasons why he has excelled in his freshman season with the Wildcats. -SIHis father is a pessimist, not at all like Lonzo Ball's Dad. Father worries about injury and didn't want to celebrate until Lauri got drafted and even then he worries.
“I don’t know, we’ll see how it goes. I’m just hoping they find a team for Lauri that he gets an opportunity to play, not be a player from 8 to 12. He has to be the best seven or eight players so he has time to show what he is capable of. - DadThe Bulls are a good fit. They need outside shooting and will dole out minutes for rookie development and better odds to land a top 4 pick in the 2018 draft.
Today I'd rank Markkanen as the 4th option at center behind Lopez, Felicio and Portis and he is the 3rd option at PF, behind Mirotic and Portis. Markkanen might play at SF which would rank him 3rd behind Holiday and Zipser. The Bulls could play him at SF along side their defensive guards, Nwada and Dunn.
Chicago has a philosophy that depends on floor spacing and seeks a high percentage shooter that can't easily be blocked. They wanted this from McDermott, and Mirotic. Neither satisfy with McDermott gone and Mirotic in a RFA contract hold out wanting more money. Now the Bulls expect this from Lauri Markkanen. It's a reasonable expectation. If he meets it, then the Bulls hit on their draft.
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