The Bulls would love to tell you how they truly feel about Lauri Markkanen.
Hard to do considering the organization and the fourth-year big man couldn’t even get in the same ballpark for a contract extension a few months back.
The Bulls would enjoy nothing more than to tell you where Markkanen’s on-the-court talent ceiling is set.
Almost impossible because of all the injuries and inconsistencies displayed since they drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
It’s all a bit confusing.
Then again, what about Markkanen isn’t?
Heck, even his announced height comes with some perplexity.
Coming out of Arizona, Markkanen was listed as a 7-footer, but that seemed a bit suspect whenever he would stand next to former teammate Robin Lopez – and actual 7-footer. Fine, despite the NBA claiming to be more transparent with heights, let’s round up and give it to him.
However, in the home introductions this season, including the eventual 123-122 heart-breaking loss to Portland, Markkanen is now 7-1.
That led to an explanation on Saturday, and fittingly, more head scratching.
“I was without shoes seven feet, so I guess it is 7-1 when I get measured with shoes on,’’ Markkanen said. “Uh, maybe it’s my hair, I don’t know.
“To be honest, I didn’t even hear it. My buddy texted me so that’s how I knew. I didn’t pay attention to that, but I’m glad I grew, apparently.’’
Asked if he even believed he was 7-1, Markkanen replied, “It depends on the day, what time we’re measuring.’’
Actually a good way to sum up Markkanen’s career so far: “It depends on the day.’’
Until Damian Lillard hit a game-winning three pointer at the final horn for the Trail Blazers win, it looked like Saturday was the wrong one for the visiting team. After dominating the Bulls (7-11) and Markkanen through the first half and into the early minutes of the third, Markkanen woke up. Sure, he was physically overpowered defensively getting playing time at the five in that quarter, but he was also a mismatch on the other end, scoring 12 of his 31 points in that stanza and turning a 19-point deficit into just seven going into the fourth.
The Bulls seemingly completed the comeback when Markkanen had the dunk with two minutes left to put his team up two, setting the stage for a wild finish. One that left a bad taste in the mouths of a few Bulls players.
Coby White’s free throws put the Bulls up five with 11.5 seconds left, but Lillard hit a ridiculous 37-footer with 8.9 to cut it to two.
Zach LaVine, who was spectacular in the fourth, again had an untimely turnover, getting tied up in the corner for the jump ball with just seconds left.
“It was as quick as a jump-ball call as I’ve ever seen,’’ coach Billy Donovan said of that play. “We got it into Zach, I felt good about it … I did think he had space. If I had to do it over again, when the shot was made it would have been better to call timeout.’’
Hindsight was 20/20 and Gary Trent Jr.’s tip found its way to Lillard, who hit the dagger over an outstretched Markkanen for the improbable win.
“Sometimes the losing is painful, with some of the ways we lost,’’ Donovan said. “Give [Lillard] credit, they were great shots, I have great respect and admiration for him, but for me it was less about him and more about us.’’
As for Markkanen, the 31 points was a season high, and the gut-punch was it still wasn’t enough.
“[Lillard’s] one of the few guys in the league that can make that shot consistently,’’ Markkanen said. “That’s a tough loss, man. Keep grinding … we’re gonna turn this around.’’
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January 31, 2021 at 11:04AM
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‘Dame Time’ dooms Bulls, despite Lauri Markkanen reaching new heights - Chicago Sun-Times
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