Chicago Bulls: One area every starter can improve in 2018-2019

Power Forward Lauri Markkanen

Area of improvement: Physicality

Has anybody seen a photo of Lauri Markkanen recently? If not, go check it out. He’s beefed up quite a bit. Unfortunately, he’s going to be out for six-to-eight weeks after an elbow injury a few days ago while at practice. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be something which keeps him out an entire season. So, he’s still well-worth talking about.

Markkanen put on a show every once and a while last year, offensively. He showed his natural range from outside and also an ability to drive to the hoop and finish. He’s a very well-rounded big man. He’s a perfect stretch-four in today’s NBA.

The one thing I would love to see out of him in Year 2, though, is a bit more physicality. It seems as though that was the goal from the start of the offseason for Markkanen, too. Take a look at the above photo, and try to remember what he looked like as a rookie. Markkanen is noticeably bigger and much more cut than he was last season.

If Markkanen can find a way to also dominate in the post, along with his mid-range and long-range game, it’s over for opposing defenders. He’s looking like an ultimate steal at no. 7 in last year’s draft. It’s on him now to fill in the areas he needs to improve, starting with being even more physical this season.