I've been following Lauri's career as a bulls fan and I always thought he would be capped as a #2. A #1.5 at most on a hot shooting day. Today he showed his first game as a legit #1. This is a very exciting time as a Lauri fan. He's leveling up before our eyes game by game!
Here is what I wrote on the bulls board:
Just when I've come to terms with the bulls letting Lauri go, he goes ahead and levels up again. This time around he's added the "Jimmy Butler" offensive package.
Jimmy was elite in terms of efficiency and foul drawing and elite in lowest turnover rate for a "star".
Lauri's starting to get fouls like he did during Februlauri but he's added crazy efficiency to it along with very low turnover rate.
Tonight Lauri dominated AD as they went head to head as #1s. For the first time AD looked small next to Lauri.
29 points on 16 shots and 11 FTs. 70%TS
Tonight was the first time Lauri had a Legit #1 game. He's added passing to his game. 5 assists to 0 TOs! When did Lauri ever get 5 assists with the bulls??
Since Lauri has returned from injury, the Utah jazz are the hottest team in the NBA. 11-2.
In the current 5 game win streak (Philly, bucks, Denver, Toronto, Lakers) we are seeing a new creature JanuLauri. He's pretty much doing everything on the court.
P36
29/13/3 1TO 2stocks 71%TS, +20 NRTG
....and he's STILL under utilized!! Less than 25USG!
This was the guy bulls fans said "what can he do besides being soft, missing dunk attempts, and making some 3s? We don't need his shooting our team!" Alas.
Just imagine a 2024 version of the following lineup
Coby/Lavine(current version)/PWill/Lauri/Drummond
THAT would be a dark house contender like OKC
