The Above-Average Bulls, Lauri’s Untapped Potential, Sato Keeps Rolling, and Other Bullets

Sep 04, 2019

I’ll always be surprised by how tiring driving can be. I was on the road for about five hours yesterday and, boy, did I crash when I finally hit the pillow last night.

At least my deep slumber has me packed with energy this morning!

Dan Feldman with NBC Sports’ is ranking each team based on where they stand now compared to the beginning of the offseason, and the Bulls are … above average! How about that? Once a timid child trying to hide a report card full of D’s from their parents, the Bulls are now strutting their stuff into the kitchen with a solid B-. Put in on the fridge! Celebrate! Take the family to Outback Steakhouse!

And to be sure, most of Feldman’s reasoning seems to hinge on the selection of Coby White in the 2019 NBA Draft. Sure, the additions of Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young have improved the team’s stock in the near-term, but White is the piece that can really push this rebuild into its final stage. Indeed, broadly speaking, the moves made this summer (both in free agency and the draft) will help establish a foundation for the future, as well as make the team a low-end playoff contender this year (which, coincidentally, can help them attract more established star power in the future). We still don’t know how good the Bulls will look when they finally come out on the other end of this rebuild, but this season should tell us a lot.

Lauri Markkanen may be the most frustrating player on the Bulls. While he has all the right attributes to be a consistent All-Star-caliber forward, he isn’t one … yet. As his first two seasons have gone by, we’ve seen only flashes of dominance while wondering about the consistency. Sure, injuries have played their role in that, but it might just come down to the way he’s being used.

Just taped an all-Lauri Markkanen episode of Cash Considerations. Big takeaway: he needs to improve as a creator.

68.4% of Lauri's buckets were assisted last year.

All-Stars:
AD: 65%
Middleton: 42%
Blake: 41%
Simmons: 43%
Embiid: 55%
LMA: 59%
Jokic: 54%
Towns: 65%
Vucevic: 71%

— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) September 3, 2019

Markkanen isn’t a strong creator. If anything, he’s still not looked at as much more than an elite-shooting big. However, he has impressive ball-handling for a player with his size, and allowing him to work more in isolation may be the key to his next step. SBNation’s Ricky O’Donnell points out that 68.4 percent of Markkanen’s buckets last season were assisted, and if he wants to sniff the All-Star game, that has to change. Honestly, this goes hand-in-hand with what we discussed previously about Markkanen: he needs to become the aggressor. I expect the addition of Chris Fleming to help Markkanen become more creative offensively. The constant ball movement should help space out the court, and the supposed plans to play him more at the center will probably force him to be a bit more versatile and comfortable.

I know bullets have kind of just been a Satoransky lovefest lately, but he’s giving us content, okay!? Check out his highlights from the Czech Republic’s win over Japan.

🇨🇿 @satoransky's 15 PTS, 6 REB & 7 AST led Czech Republic to the First Round W over Japan! #CzechRepublicGotGame #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/f924aoHkY8

— NBA (@NBA) September 3, 2019

SBNation’s Tom Ziller ranked every NBA player in the FIBA World Cup, and Satoransky checked in at No. 25. With these rankings coming before the tournament got underway, I think it’s safe to say Sato’s stock has actually improved.

Ziller ranked all 53 players in the FIBA World Cup.

Of note: Tomas Satoransky at No. 25 https://t.co/1ZtFhyVWkR

— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) August 29, 2019

Coby white spoke briefly with Joshua Hicks at the Chicago Sky game about supporting the team and the Bulls offseason improvement: “This year should be exciting, we’re looking to make the playoffs.”

New @chicagobulls point guard @CobyWhite discussed supporting the @wnbachicagosky and the overall league as well his excitement and expections regarding playing with his new teammates last week #bulls #skytown #inthescope #warrmedia @RegalRadio1 https://t.co/zi46lat540 pic.twitter.com/cqtLcDmwVg
— Joshua M. Hicks (@jhicks042) September 3, 2019

The Queen knows what’s up.

Happy birthday Beyoncé #BEYDAY pic.twitter.com/quLsV6eSMa

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) September 4, 2019

written by

Elias Schuster

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Chicago Bulls

Coby White Snubbed of Most Improved Player Award

Coby White will not be taking home any hardware after his breakout season. The Chicago Bulls guard was in the running for the NBA's Most Improved Player award this season, finishing as one of three finalists for the honor. However,...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Two Bulls Assistants Are Out as Billy Donovan Makes Changes to His Staff

Changes are already underway for the Chicago Bulls According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Bulls coaching staff is due for a shuffle. HOF player and long-time coach Maurice Cheeks is reportedly leaving his position as a full-time member of...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

2024 NBA Draft: Which Big Names Have Already Declared?

The 2024 NBA Draft is fast approaching! We're just about two months away from the NBA's premier offseason event. While we don't quite know the order of the teams selecting yet, we're starting to get commitments on who will be...

Matt Rooney

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Nikola Jokic’s Brother Punched a Fan at the Lakers-Nuggets Game

Nikola Jokic's brothers are in some hot water. During Game 2 of the first-round series between the Nuggets and Lakers, Jokic's brothers could be seen forcefully climbing down a row of seats to confront a fellow fan. A video posted...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Playoff Envy, MIP Announced Tonight, Coby & Ayo’s Contracts, and Other Bulls Bullets

After watching the Knicks hit back-to-back 3-pointers to steal the lead and Jamal Murray nail a nasty game-winning mid-range buzzer-beater, I was reminded of how special playoff basketball can be. Of course, I was also reminded of how we haven't...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

WATCH: Jamal Murray Epic Buzzer-Beater Completes 101-99 Comeback Win Over Lakers

In case you were sleeping - which let's be honest a lot of us probably were - Jamal Murray hit an awesome buzzer-beater to give the Nuggets a 101-99 Game 2 win over the Lakers. Murray's game-winner was the icing...

Matt Rooney

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bulls

WATCH: The End of Knicks-76ers Game 2 Was Pure Chaos

The New York Knicks just took a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in a sequence you'll just have to see to believe. With roughly 30 seconds left on the clock down 101-96, the Knicks looked destined to walk out...

Elias Schuster

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls’ Latest Offer to DeMar DeRozan is Reportedly Short but PRICEY

Arturas Karnisovas sat in front of the media on Saturday and vowed that changes are coming to the Chicago Bulls. However, one report immediately puts into question how significant those changes will be. NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson reported shortly...

Elias Schuster

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bulls

Multiple Bulls Get Some Love in The Athletic’s Annual NBA Player Poll

The Athletic released their anonymous NBA player survey on Monday, and the Chicago Bulls were surprisingly well-represented. While not all 142 players answered every question, the sample size is still large enough to get a pretty decent understanding of how...

Elias Schuster

Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Bulls

WATCH: Michael Jordan Celebrates NASCAR Victory Like It’s His Seventh Ring

Michael Jordan can't stop winning. The Chicago Bulls legend got a victory at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. His racing team – 23XI Racing – took home the Cup Series victory thanks to Tyler Reddick's driving. While his crew has taken home...

Elias Schuster

Apr 22, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

The New York Mets (12-11), who lost their previous three games, square off against the San Francisco Giants (12-13) at Oracle Park on Wednesday. First pitch is at 3:45 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Giants will...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Orioles vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

The Baltimore Orioles (15-8) play on the road against the Los Angeles Angels (10-14) on Wednesday. The contest is set to begin at 4:07 PM ET.The Orioles will give the ball to Dean Kremer (0-2, 4.91 ERA), who is eyeing...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 24, 2024

Today's MLB slate has lots in store. Among those 15 contests is the Boston Red Sox taking on the Cleveland Guardians.One of the most fun ways to wager on baseball is via MLB player prop bets. There are props for...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) visit the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) Wednesday to close out a three-game series. The Diamondbacks are favored (-122) to win the rubber match, which starts at 1:15 PM ET from Busch Stadium.Jordan Montgomery will get the...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

The Arizona Diamondbacks (12-13) visit St. Louis to face the St. Louis Cardinals (10-14) at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Diamondbacks will send Jordan Montgomery (1-0) to the mound, while Kyle Gibson (1-2)...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Pacers vs. Bucks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are 4-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, beginning at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN. The series is tied 1-1. The over/under...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Suns vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves are slight 3.5-point underdogs for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on Friday, starting at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN. The Timberwolves hold a 2-0 lead...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Mavericks vs. Clippers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are slight 3.5-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on Friday, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN. The series is...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NBA Picks

Thunder vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 2 – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Oklahoma City Thunder take a 1-0 series record into Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Thunder are favored by 7.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 9:30 PM ET. The over/under...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Predators vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Nashville Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, and are -130 favorites on the moneyline, with the visiting team at +110.Predators vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Predators (-130)Underdog: Canucks (+110)Total: 5.5Best Predators vs. Canucks Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

The Above-Average Bulls, Lauri’s Untapped Potential, Sato Keeps Rolling, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bulls news

Latest News

more bulls news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular