Chicago Bulls: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2018-2019 Season
IV. Lauri Markkanen will average 20-plus points per game
Last season, Lauri Markkanen turned many heads with his excellent rookie campaign. While logging just under 30 minutes per game, Markkanen averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds a game while shooting 36% on threes.
His stellar play was good enough to secure him a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. Although his game may not be the most exciting or warrant the biggest reactions from fans, most educated basketball fans and even those who work in the NBA’s family know just how good Markkanen is and could be one day.
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Now that Markkanen has a year of NBA basketball under his belt, the game should come more naturally and easily to him. With an increase in playing time and plays tailored for his skill set, the sky is the limit for the second year stud.
In order for him to have an easier time scoring, he must build strength and agility, but that has not been a problem for him. For a talented big like Markkanen a 20 ppg season is inevitable in today’s NBA, but he could achieve that very early into his NBA career and with an offense designed around him, it would be shocking if he didn’t accomplish it.