Image ImageImage Image

NBC Sports: What happened to Lauri Markkanen? Can he re-find his form?

Moderators: HomoSapien, Payt10, RedBulls23, coldfish, AshyLarrysDiaper, fleet, kulaz3000, Michael Jackson, Ice Man, dougthonus, Tommy Udo 6 , DASMACKDOWN, GimmeDat

TallDude
Junior
Posts: 441
And1: 140
Joined: Sep 06, 2017
     

Re: NBC Sports: What happened to Lauri Markkanen? Can he re-find his form? 

Post#61 » by TallDude » Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:51 pm

Dez wrote:
Showtime23 wrote:
MrSparkle wrote:IMO Lauri and Coby are the most interesting tandem Bulls have on paper, yet they saw very little time together until the last week of play.

As great as his stats were (kind of... his PER was very ordinary), Zach’s game is a system killer.

That opening night line-up with the hockey bench was destined to fail. Lauri needs a creator or two on the floor with him. Sato was too slow to create easy baskets, Zach is too iso-centric to “feed” anybody else.

If Coby and healthy Otto hit the floor with Lauri, IMO he goes right back to averaging something like 19/8.

Depending what happens with this draft, but if they got a hyper athlete like Okongwu who could gobble the boards and help, Lauri’s defense ought to straighten out. Wendell while a good man-to-man defender just seems like he’s got concrete feet (and hands, making the offense very dull too).

That Zach-Sato-Wendell-X combo was just a slow uninspiring mess for Lauri. Basically generated 35 Zach iso possessions a game, and then the hockey bench would come in and chuck on high volume.

Terrible. Get me a coach who has some off-the-ball movement and PnRs.


Somehow missed this post. Lauri needs creators and creators are essential for any team to win.
As you mentioned, the Bulls play way too slow and usually goes isoball Zach forcing 4 players to stand and watch.
Feel like we have seen enough sample size from a 25 yr old its really hard to evaluate for two more seasons. Lavine had his moments but ultimately had two disappointing seasons while not making the all-star. 20mil for a fringe all-star isnt really a bargain and he will get at least 30 with his new contract which is superstar money.

If they cannot get the number 1 creator in Ball, they need to all in on Okongwu who will be a much better version of Carter and anchor the defense while not feeling undersized. Then move Carter and a future asset for a legit creator. NO has Ball, Holiday.


At any stage are you actually going to post things with a semblance of truth?

Stop blaming LaVine for Lauri being lazy off-ball, they literally don't move and throw the ball to Zach with no time on the clock and expect him to turn water into wine.

LaVine is the only one on this squad that is improving and you claim he's had two disappointing seasons.

Get out of here with that nonsense.


Yes stop blaming Zach. I can do that. Ithink less ball for Zach will be best option. Zach never share a ball until it is usually too late. That is why we need to get real PG. Coby is not an answer. But he is solid player hopefully later. Rubio who can not shoot would be great for us.
MrSparkle
RealGM
Posts: 21,703
And1: 10,007
Joined: Jul 31, 2003
Location: chicago

Re: NBC Sports: What happened to Lauri Markkanen? Can he re-find his form? 

Post#62 » by MrSparkle » Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:14 pm

TallDude wrote:
Dez wrote:
Showtime23 wrote:
Somehow missed this post. Lauri needs creators and creators are essential for any team to win.
As you mentioned, the Bulls play way too slow and usually goes isoball Zach forcing 4 players to stand and watch.
Feel like we have seen enough sample size from a 25 yr old its really hard to evaluate for two more seasons. Lavine had his moments but ultimately had two disappointing seasons while not making the all-star. 20mil for a fringe all-star isnt really a bargain and he will get at least 30 with his new contract which is superstar money.

If they cannot get the number 1 creator in Ball, they need to all in on Okongwu who will be a much better version of Carter and anchor the defense while not feeling undersized. Then move Carter and a future asset for a legit creator. NO has Ball, Holiday.


At any stage are you actually going to post things with a semblance of truth?

Stop blaming LaVine for Lauri being lazy off-ball, they literally don't move and throw the ball to Zach with no time on the clock and expect him to turn water into wine.

LaVine is the only one on this squad that is improving and you claim he's had two disappointing seasons.

Get out of here with that nonsense.


Yes stop blaming Zach. I can do that. Ithink less ball for Zach will be best option. Zach never share a ball until it is usually too late. That is why we need to get real PG. Coby is not an answer. But he is solid player hopefully later. Rubio who can not shoot would be great for us.


Rubio would be a great role-player and leader for the development of the team (I preferred we picked him up instead of Sato), but there are next to no examples of winning PGs who can’t shoot.

FWIW... while you had Rondo and Kidd (hof talent) in the prior era. Since 2012, all the champs and contenders have had score-first PGs: Curry, Irving, Lowry, Harden, Parker/Mills, Westbrook, Rose. Look at the top seeds this year: Nunn, J. Murray, Kemba and LAL‘s scrap heap roulette at PG.

It’s not as interesting having a score-first PG, and I love a great passer, but Coby is pretty much the archetype of today’s successful PG. He’s got a size advantage on every point and can play on or off the ball.

Zach needs to work on his passing. His usage and resulting efficiency and ball stopping were the worst culprits, even though I acknowledge he’s the most talented athlete/scorer on the team. But skill wise? Otto and Coby have more skill when it comes to handles and passing/vision.

And while Otto might return to form finally, they need to bring in a new offensive wing (with point skills) for depth and to enhance playmaking.

But most importantly, a coach needs to be brought in who can get on Zach and the rest. The offense was a clogged toilet.

I’d consider LaMelo and Hayes due to their potential, but if they can’t shoot at a strong clip, then they’re not a solution.

I think with the right coach/system, Coby and Otto can deliver Lauri the ball correctly.
waffle
RealGM
Posts: 11,136
And1: 1,661
Joined: Jun 07, 2002
Location: Don't question the finger and do respect the black box. That is all.....

Re: NBC Sports: What happened to Lauri Markkanen? Can he re-find his form? 

Post#63 » by waffle » Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:24 pm

TO ME - the weird thing is the diff between last years Lauri and The Mad March Markkanen who was, without question, pretty darn effective and fun as heck to watch

shockingly different.
User avatar
Axolotl
Starter
Posts: 2,316
And1: 2,201
Joined: Feb 05, 2018
Location: The Vasty Deep

Re: NBC Sports: What happened to Lauri Markkanen? Can he re-find his form? 

Post#64 » by Axolotl » Fri May 15, 2020 12:04 pm

Eversley saying he is going to look into why Markkanen regressed - states that twice for emphasis.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-new-gm-marc-eversley-gives-thoughts-key-pieces-roster%3famp
From the basketball's perspective, travel is a nice pause from being pounded to the floor.

Return to Chicago Bulls