More often than not, highly-touted prospects just aren’t able to live up to the expectations.
Injuries, poor coaching, lack of chemistry, or even bad luck can take a toll on a young players’ ability to take a step forward.
That seemed to be the case with Lauri Markkanen in the Chicago Bulls, and that’s why he wanted a fresh start elsewhere.
And, now that he’s got his wish granted and will play for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it seems like he wasn’t that impressed with the Bulls’ coaching staff at all:
“I feel like I get to play basketball the way I know rather than just having to play one role,” Markkanen told Right Down Euclid when asked about the biggest difference between the Cavs and the Bulls. “After talking with the coaching staff, I feel like it’s pretty free here.”
Markkanen also raved about how different the city of Cleveland is compared to Chicago, but not in a way that would make Joakim Noah proud:
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say,” Markkanen added. “I love how nice everybody is and I’m glad to be driving on a highway without traffic. Everyone that we have met has been really nice to me and to my family so we’re really excited and obviously we’re happy to be in Cleveland.”
Markkanen believes that his best basketball is ahead of him, and while the Cavaliers won’t be contending any time soon, a change of environment might be just what he needs:
“I’m 24 years old and even if I’m a veteran or not, I look at myself and know I’ve still got the best basketball ahead of me. So, I’m ready to get to work with these guys and leading and that’s all I’m looking forward to doing. I think we got a good group,” he concluded.
The Cavs will face the Bulls multiple times next season, so maybe we can expect some revenge games from ‘The Finisher.”
