“Unicorn” is the NBA’s new favorite term. Kristaps Porzingis, Giannis Antetakounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid have all been classified as such. These players are so big and so skilled that they don’t seem possible; they’re mythical beings. Lauri Markkanen could be added to that illustrious list. The seven-foot Finish international is the complete offensive package. Lauri Markkanen can be the next NBA unicorn.
Lauri Markkanen Can Be the Next NBA Unicorn
Defining the term “Unicorn”
Unicorns are impossible beings: gigantic humans, who have the skill and coordination of a guard. They are capable of not only using their size to bully defenders in the paint but also create shots from the outside. Giannis Antetakounmpo is every inch of his 6’11 listed height. A gazelle in the open floor, he glides past defenders with his elite ball-handling and long strides. Kristaps Porzingis is listed at 7’3 but has a lightning-quick release. Contesting his shot is not possible. If someone is foolish enough to try, he will glide past them and finish at the rim. Nikola Jokic is not nearly as athletic as Porzingis or Antetakounmpo, but he is arguably the most gifted passer in the entire league at 7’0. A true unicorn is someone bordering on 7′, who, even if they were a few inches shorter, would still be in the league because of their tremendous skill and athleticism.
Lauri Markkanen Checks the Boxes
The feature that immediately qualifies players as a “unicorn” is their size. Lauri Markkanen is 6’11 and 240 pounds with a 7’1 wingspan. Markkanen also possesses one of the more unique skill-sets in the NBA. The big man averaged 18.7 points per game, mainly as a knock-down shooter. Nearly half of his shots came from behind the three-point line. Markkanen shoots 36 percent from three, mainly on catch-and-shoot situations.
What makes Markkanen so appealing is the fact that he is capable of scoring in such a variety of ways. He is criminally underrated as an athlete, capable of hitting a defender with a shot-fake and getting right to the rim. For instance, he dropped 31 points against the Atlanta Hawks last season. He scored in a variety of ways, including breaking down Trae Young off the dribble.
Variety is the Spice of Life
To truly be in the discussion with the other “unicorns”, Markkanen needs to make his first All-Star game. He has the opportunity this season as the only two players who are absolute locks in the Eastern Conference are Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetakounmpo. If the Chicago Bulls can get off to a good start with Markkanen leading their team, he has a chance to be nominated.
Markkanen needs to bring more consistency from a game-to-game basis. There are times when he is too passive, electing to stay out on the perimeter and shoot threes. Over 40 percent of his shots come on catch-and-shoot situations. He is such a good shooter that this has not been a problem.
Going into his third season, though, the scouting report on him will be to crowd him and force him to put the ball on the ground. Markkanen should embrace this; he has the ball-handling skills to take one or two dribbles and finish at the rim. Markkanen has the skills to be more than just a shooter.
It’s on the Chicago Bulls to Unleash the Beast
Another wrinkle that head coach Jim Boylen could use is to have Markkanen more involved in the pick-and-roll. Markkanen has the talent to be both a roll man and as a ball-handler. He can use his great touch and high-release to roll to the free-throw line and get his shot off over anyone. It’s also not hard to imagine Markkanen sealing his defender after setting the screen and going to work in the low-post. He has a variety of moves, but if a guard is switched onto him then he is going to score almost every time.
What is most exciting is the potential for him as a ball-handler. Think of the Kelly Olynyk dribble-hand-off where he has the option to either hand the ball off to the guard and screen, or split the defenders and go to the rim. He could be deployed off the ball, getting a down screen getting him free to catch the ball then flowing to a screen and roll, similar to how Kevin Durant has been used for the Golden State Warriors.
Lauri Markkanen is a tantalizing prospect
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
