2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 4 power rankings
4. Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Last week: No. 4 (↔)
Chicago Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen remains steady in the power rankings despite their status in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are 2-7 this season. They have lost their past two games since defeating the Orlando Magic last Friday.
Markkanen had 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the 105-83 road victory. He was a rebound shy of the second double-double of his career.
Markkanen has managed to score in double figures in all nine regular season games for the Bulls this year. The team went 1-2 with the Finland rookie in the rotation last week.
He’s learning to become a more efficient shooter from the floor and behind the 3-point arc still. He has shot 35.0 percent from the arc in their past three games.
With Bobby Portis off suspension, the results should change a bit with him and Markkanen on the floor together. Portis put up 21 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes in his debut off the bench on Tuesday night.