Lauri:' I can make the comeback'

[Jiipee84]

But Collins is better player than Lauri someone will pay him good moneys but who's gonna pay for Lauri.

Atlanta went 3-22 when Collins was suspended for 25 games, then played .400 ball when he returned. He averaged 22/10 per game. You'd better believe that Collins will get the money. Maybe Lauri will break out this year, but honestly at this stage of their careers the two of them don't belong in the same sentence.

Dammit i forgot that Collins was suspended 25 games last season
for breaking NBA's doping rules but was that suspension really doping related? ( i don't remember exact details ).
You're right of that Collins and Lauri shouldn't be mentioned in same context that's true.

[DroseReturnChi]

Two games but Lauri is at (p36) 23p/10r/2.5a on 52/43, 70%TS.

Much closer to what was expected last year following a 21/10 year 2 compared to what we got.

The efficiency will obviously come down but I expect the production to be the same, if not more if the team starts to realize they should utilize him more as a "offensive hub" instead of wcj

I mean Lauri could easily be a number 1 option on 25shots 30ppg and win more games than Lavine.
The issue is even with putting those elite numbers, hes only getting 20 usg like 3rd option numbers.
We all saw what Lavine did last yr putting up empty numbers on a 20 win team and you can only choose 1 guy going forward.
Under AKs modern basketball, Lavine cannot do single thing he looks washed and good trade target. Glad hes getting exposed and traded before handing out max. Number 1,2 options negative win shares as usual with over 50 usage.

[PaKii94]

Lauri wasn't a top 5 reason the Bulls were awful tonight, but he had 16 points on 14 shots with 2 turnovers and 1 trip to the free throw line. On offense that is 16 points on 17 possessions which is below league average, not fantastic.

He was at 14/7 on 3 of 5 on 2s and 2 of 6 on 3s at the half. He did have bad defensive plays at C against sabonis but he was also the main reason Sabonis and turner were in foul trouble.

I am disregarding the second half because the offensive completely stalled and the rest of his attempts were what we saw last year quick trigger contested 3s and a bailout 2.

With a competent PG he should have easily ended with at least 20/10.

Coby/WCJ couldn't find him on multiple cuts and switches and we saw zero plays with Lauri as a ball handler.

I don't want to rip on Lauri because he has probably been the Bulls best player through two games, but you appear to be one of these guys who just throws away all data that doesn't fit your point, and then tries to rationalize how your point would be stronger if other hypothetical things existed that don't and imply causality to those things.

It's literally ridiculous to say his 3rd quarter stats don't count. The Bulls started that quarter down 10, the game easily in reach. He was part of the team absolutely falling apart by his play in that quarter, which was also 1/3 for 2 points, so he'd still be 5/11 for 14 points, for a scorer that doesn't help you on defense, that still isn't fantastic. It's fine.

Again, Lauri has probably been the Bulls best player, but he hasn't been great either.

No I look deeper than over all stats and try to get a better picture. That's also why I'm not tripping on Lavine this year. With a half competent team we wouldn't be having these Lauri droughts. He puts up a quick 5 points then gets forgotten for another 5 minutes while WCJ is 'playmaking" at the top of the key or coby is dribbling the air out of the ball. Lauri was not the cause of the total meltdown. He needs to ball in good positions to have an effect. The second half was like lauri playing back in Boylen's system again. He had a small player switched onto him multiple times but coby can't make a simple entry pass. At one point Lauri's defender was on the ground and Lauri was open under the hoop for 20 seconds and STILL WCJ couldn't find him. Instead he passed it back to the guards. It's infuriating.

Read on Twitter

?s=20


I try to look past the insanity that is this team. Maybe this team will never figure it out but when the same players are on a different team people will be like "why is this player breaking out now?"

[sco]

Two games but Lauri is at (p36) 23p/10r/2.5a on 52/43, 70%TS.

Much closer to what was expected last year following a 21/10 year 2 compared to what we got.

The efficiency will obviously come down but I expect the production to be the same, if not more if the team starts to realize they should utilize him more as a "offensive hub" instead of wcj

I mean Lauri could easily be a number 1 option on 25shots 30ppg and win more games than Lavine.
The issue is even with putting those elite numbers, hes only getting 20 usg like 3rd option numbers.
We all saw what Lavine did last yr putting up empty numbers on a 20 win team and you can only choose 1 guy going forward.
Under AKs modern basketball, Lavine cannot do single thing he looks washed and good trade target. Glad hes getting exposed and traded before handing out max. Number 1,2 options negative win shares as usual with over 50 usage.

I am ok with Lauri being featured as a #1 option...I would be thrilled to get a late teens pick for him at the deadline!

[dougthonus]

No I look deeper than over all stats and try to get a better picture.

Literally saying Lauri was fantastic while involved, then when I put out, no, his efficiency was below average, and you replying with well the stats in the 3rd quarter don't count is not trying to dig deeper. It is throwing away data you don't like, much like your long list of reasons why Lauri is actually a great three point shooter and his slumps don't count because he had some nagging injury that he was playing through.

You don't void all the data that doesn't support your point.

[logical_art]

I've said it before and will say it again - Lauri needs to get most of his minutes at 5. He's not a good enough post player to take advantage of his size at the 4 and is less athletic than the average 4 these days. And lets not even get into defense.

[PaKii94]

Healthy Lauri (p36, 3 games): 24.9p/9.6r on 53/48, 70TS%.

It was also the second game in a row the team went away from him in the second half.

This is a true "hot streak" for Lauri. 70%TS is not going to be sustainable but the points can be if he just gets some damn usage in the second half. This is a continuation from healthy Lauri's December last year but with a bit more usage (still not enough....)

Unfortunately, healthy Lauri is already KOed. Let's see how injured Lauri looks. This will be telling because this is where in years past Lauri retracts and becomes a passive, timid floor spacer. Can he still provide production while hobbled now? We'll see.

[PaKii94]

And to emphasize the lack of usage in the second half.

P36:
First half - 31p/9r on 71%TS, 26 USG% -> close to FebruLauri usage
Second half 15.3/11r on 69%TS, 13.5 USG% -> less than Boylen usage

He's getting nearly half the usage in the second half. Focal points should be getting MORE usage in the second half.
Albeit it is two blow outs and he was out early due to injury in the last game.

[Jiipee84]

Should've know that there isn't season without injury for Lauri Markkanen.
How long Lauri will be sidelined this time is it gonna be few days, few weeks or few months.
Trade this injury prone bum if AK can find a team who's stupid enough to acquire Lauri.

Edit
Sarcasm warning.

[FranchisePlayer]

Healthy Lauri (p36, 3 games): 24.9p/9.6r on 53/48, 70TS%.

It was also the second game in a row the team went away from him in the second half.

This is a true "hot streak" for Lauri. 70%TS is not going to be sustainable but the points can be if he just gets some damn usage in the second half. This is a continuation from healthy Lauri's December last year but with a bit more usage (still not enough....)

Unfortunately, healthy Lauri is already KOed. Let's see how injured Lauri looks. This will be telling because this is where in years past Lauri retracts and becomes a passive, timid floor spacer. Can he still provide production while hobbled now? We'll see.

Lauri has obviously made his comeback. You can see it on the court and from the stats.

Since most of this detractors are pretty quiet these days might be better just to lock this thread and move on to the next one.

Which obviously would now be "I can make the comeback after the first injury".

[dougthonus]

Healthy Lauri (p36, 3 games): 24.9p/9.6r on 53/48, 70TS%.

It was also the second game in a row the team went away from him in the second half.

Thought it was weird they went away from him in the 2nd half, but ultimately, the team went on a huge run and went from losing the game to winning the game by a big margin, so its hard to argue with the results, not that I think going to Lauri was why they were playing bad, and this was better, it just worked out that way.

One thing I think will be interesting is GSW is very small, and Lauri went full on bully ball mode, this was the most aggressive I've seen him down low in quite some time. I'm not sure that is sustainable or would even work against someone playing a more physical lineup, but it was nice to see him recognize and take advantage of the matchups tonight.

Unfortunately, healthy Lauri is already KOed. Let's see how injured Lauri looks. This will be telling because this is where in years past Lauri retracts and becomes a passive, timid floor spacer. Can he still provide production while hobbled now? We'll see.

Official diagnosis was a calf contusion which is vague enough to question how long it will impact him. Top link on google says 1-3 weeks for minor and 4-8 for major.

[coldfish]

Lauri detractors: Lauri needs a postgame
Supporters: No he doesn't!!!
Lauri detractors: Lauri has more speed advantage at the 5. He should play there some.
Supporters: No he shouldn't!!!
Lauri detractors: Lauri needs to help on defense.
Supporters: His defense is fine!!!

:LM plays much better, strongly including lots of minutes at the 5, some help defense and some post play:

Supporters: See!!! I told you so!!!

Hopefully Lauri heals well and can keep this up. I'm a fan of this Lauri.

[Ice Man]

I'm still not sure what to make of the guy. He's gifted offensively, there aren't many players with his combination of size, shooting, and (for his height) mobility, but he needs teammates who can help him tap into that offensive potential, and he needs some protection on defense. He's not one of those guys who is just good, period. It seems that he is good under certain circumstances, if provided the right support.

[Chi town]

Lauri detractors: Lauri needs a postgame
Supporters: No he doesn't!!!
Lauri detractors: Lauri has more speed advantage at the 5. He should play there some.
Supporters: No he shouldn't!!!
Lauri detractors: Lauri needs to help on defense.
Supporters: His defense is fine!!!

:LM plays much better, strongly including lots of minutes at the 5, some help defense and some post play:

Supporters: See!!! I told you so!!!

Hopefully Lauri heals well and can keep this up. I'm a fan of this Lauri.

This Lauri is winning player that can give you and advantage at the 5 in backup mins.

[Louri]

Tbh Lauri's stats and good start for season is only good for trade asset.. There is like 0% change that he will continue as a Bull next season. Same with Lavine.

[Robin Jones]

Yes, I know this comparison has been used sooo many times with all white seven footers who can shoot, and yes, I know it's a different era, and yes, I understand the very different sample sizes here (minutes played), but still, a fun fact:

Dirk in his year 4 as a 23 year old compared to Lauri in his 4th year as a 23 year old:

https://stathead.com/tiny/yNbdp

They are almost identical (except more threes in todays game, thus Lauris numbers a bit better), when you open the per 36 min stats.

Of course Lauri has a tremendous challenge in trying to keep this pace.

[FranchisePlayer]

Tbh Lauri's stats and good start for season is only good for trade asset.. There is like 0% change that he will continue as a Bull next season. Same with Lavine.

0% chance is a complete hyperbole. No one can be sure of that, not even the players themselves.

[FranchisePlayer]

Yes, I know this comparison is used sooo many times with all white seven footers who can shoot, and yes, I know it's a different era, and yes, I understand the very different sample sizes (minutes played), but still, a fun fact:

Dirk in his year 4 as a 23 year old compared to Lauri in his 4th year as a 23 year old:

https://stathead.com/tiny/yNbdp

They are almost identical (except more threes in todays game, thus Lauris numbers a bit better), when you open the per 36 min stats.

Of course Lauri has a tremendous challenge in trying to keep this pace.

Can you dig out too which players Dirk had next to him?

[Robin Jones]

Yes, I know this comparison is used sooo many times with all white seven footers who can shoot, and yes, I know it's a different era, and yes, I understand the very different sample sizes (minutes played), but still, a fun fact:

Dirk in his year 4 as a 23 year old compared to Lauri in his 4th year as a 23 year old:

https://stathead.com/tiny/yNbdp

They are almost identical (except more threes in todays game, thus Lauris numbers a bit better), when you open the per 36 min stats.

Of course Lauri has a tremendous challenge in trying to keep this pace.

Can you dig out too which players Dirk had next to him?

He was lucky to have a quite good PG, one named Nash. And another good PG/SG, who could also pass the ball, in Nick Van Exel.

Other key players were Michael Finley and Juwan Howard.

The whole roster:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2002.html

[FranchisePlayer]

Yes, I know this comparison is used sooo many times with all white seven footers who can shoot, and yes, I know it's a different era, and yes, I understand the very different sample sizes (minutes played), but still, a fun fact:

Dirk in his year 4 as a 23 year old compared to Lauri in his 4th year as a 23 year old:

https://stathead.com/tiny/yNbdp

They are almost identical (except more threes in todays game, thus Lauris numbers a bit better), when you open the per 36 min stats.

Of course Lauri has a tremendous challenge in trying to keep this pace.

Can you dig out too which players Dirk had next to him?

He was lucky to have a quite good PG, one named Nash.

Other key players Michael Finley and Juwan Howard.

The whole roster:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/2002.html

I know, tried to add a little dry sense of humor to this.

Frankly, we can agree that back then Dirk had quality in every direction around him, every gd team mate more experienced than him.

It's very hard and unfair to compare his and Markkanen's numbers when players in respective teams are on such a different level. Not to mention this is Lauri's 4th year and he's still waiting for his 1st year to play with a quality PG.