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JARC provides life-changing opportunities for Chicagoans by offering FREE manufacturing training and job placement assistance

A skilled worker in the manufacturing industry can anticipate a lifetime of financial stability in a vibrant, in-demand field. But for many, getting the necessary training and education to launch a career in the trades can be daunting, and even cost prohibitive. The folks at Jane Addams Resource Center know there’s no time like the present to take your career—and your life—by the reins. 

Founded in 1985, as an economic development agency focused on preserving manufacturing jobs in and around the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, Jane Addams Resource Center (JARC) has blossomed into one of Chicago’s most vital resources for unemployed and low-income workers seeking careers in the trades. 

JARC operates under the guiding principles that people who work should not live in poverty, and that focusing on careers can lead to lasting, substantive change. At their three locations in Austin, Ravenswood, and Chatham, they’ve provided free job training programs for thousands of Chicagoans, empowering them to transform their lives and support their families through well-paying jobs while helping to fill a void of highly skilled workers in the U.S. manufacturing space.

As a 501c3 nonprofit, JARC is mission driven, focused on alleviating poverty in Chicago and promoting gainful paths to employment that lead to family sustaining wages. During this season of giving you can support JARC by making a contribution on 11/29 for Giving Tuesday.

Getting started on a brand-new career path with JARC’s job training program is as easy as registering for one of the weekly application sessions, which are held in person on the first Wednesday of each month, and virtually every Wednesday in between. Applicants can choose between several different programs focusing on in-demand skills, which currently include: Manufacturing Bridge Program, Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Mechanical Assembly, CNC Operating, and Welding. (Courses run anywhere from ten to 20 weeks.) Rather than a traditional classroom setting with long lectures and copious amounts of homework, JARC’s training programs simulate a manufacturing workplace environment, adhering to strict attendance and safety protocols, while prioritizing peer learning, teamwork, and leadership development through hands-on, project-based lessons. 

JARC applies a holistic lens when working with students; this approach better addresses their needs beyond career training and education alone. Trainees can tap into an array of support services, such as financial education and coaching, legal aid, and help with applying for Medicaid, and other public benefits. These services are also available at no cost, and students may be eligible for further assistance, such as prepaid public transit cards to offset the cost of commuting to class or funds to help pay for costly but necessary safety gear.

As JARC students prepare to complete their programs and transition into their new professions, they can utilize the center’s resume-writing services, mock interviews, and job-placement opportunities.In fact, some students are able to find employment through JARC before they even finish their studies. 

So whether you’re launching your career for the first time, seeking a change, returning to the workforce, or interested in improving your English language and math skills while learning a lucrative, exciting trade, JARC could be the place for you. 

Support JARC for Giving Tuesday today. Visit JARC online at www.jane-addams.org today to learn more about its programs and sign up for a Wednesday application session. 

This content is sponsored by Jane Addams Resource Corporation.

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JARC provides life-changing opportunities for Chicagoans by offering FREE manufacturing training and job placement assistanceChicago Readeron November 29, 2022 at 3:41 pm

A skilled worker in the manufacturing industry can anticipate a lifetime of financial stability in a vibrant, in-demand field. But for many, getting the necessary training and education to launch a career in the trades can be daunting, and even cost prohibitive. The folks at Jane Addams Resource Center know there’s no time like the present to take your career—and your life—by the reins. 

Founded in 1985, as an economic development agency focused on preserving manufacturing jobs in and around the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor, Jane Addams Resource Center (JARC) has blossomed into one of Chicago’s most vital resources for unemployed and low-income workers seeking careers in the trades. 

JARC operates under the guiding principles that people who work should not live in poverty, and that focusing on careers can lead to lasting, substantive change. At their three locations in Austin, Ravenswood, and Chatham, they’ve provided free job training programs for thousands of Chicagoans, empowering them to transform their lives and support their families through well-paying jobs while helping to fill a void of highly skilled workers in the U.S. manufacturing space.

As a 501c3 nonprofit, JARC is mission driven, focused on alleviating poverty in Chicago and promoting gainful paths to employment that lead to family sustaining wages. During this season of giving you can support JARC by making a contribution on 11/29 for Giving Tuesday.

Getting started on a brand-new career path with JARC’s job training program is as easy as registering for one of the weekly application sessions, which are held in person on the first Wednesday of each month, and virtually every Wednesday in between. Applicants can choose between several different programs focusing on in-demand skills, which currently include: Manufacturing Bridge Program, Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Mechanical Assembly, CNC Operating, and Welding. (Courses run anywhere from ten to 20 weeks.) Rather than a traditional classroom setting with long lectures and copious amounts of homework, JARC’s training programs simulate a manufacturing workplace environment, adhering to strict attendance and safety protocols, while prioritizing peer learning, teamwork, and leadership development through hands-on, project-based lessons. 

JARC applies a holistic lens when working with students; this approach better addresses their needs beyond career training and education alone. Trainees can tap into an array of support services, such as financial education and coaching, legal aid, and help with applying for Medicaid, and other public benefits. These services are also available at no cost, and students may be eligible for further assistance, such as prepaid public transit cards to offset the cost of commuting to class or funds to help pay for costly but necessary safety gear.

As JARC students prepare to complete their programs and transition into their new professions, they can utilize the center’s resume-writing services, mock interviews, and job-placement opportunities.In fact, some students are able to find employment through JARC before they even finish their studies. 

So whether you’re launching your career for the first time, seeking a change, returning to the workforce, or interested in improving your English language and math skills while learning a lucrative, exciting trade, JARC could be the place for you. 

Support JARC for Giving Tuesday today. Visit JARC online at www.jane-addams.org today to learn more about its programs and sign up for a Wednesday application session. 

This content is sponsored by Jane Addams Resource Corporation.

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JARC provides life-changing opportunities for Chicagoans by offering FREE manufacturing training and job placement assistanceChicago Readeron November 29, 2022 at 3:41 pm Read More »

High school basketball: This season’s 30 must-see games

With a busy opening week and Thanksgiving tournament results in the books, the sprint into the regular season begins.

Here are 30 circle-the-date matchups in this 2022-23 season. Whether it’s key conference games, heated rivalries, shootout showdowns or non-conference measuring sticks, these are all big, important games featuring in-state teams.

Hillcrest at Oak Lawn, Dec. 2

Perennial power Hillcrest is fresh off winning the Chicago Heights Classic with wins over Bloom and Marian Catholic. Oak Lawn has grabbed people’s attention with its 4-0 start, including a win over ranked Mount Carmel.

Simeon vs. St. Rita, Dec. 3

Chicago Elite Classic at UIC

Arguably the best the Public League and Catholic League have to offer take center stage in a high-profile event. Extra intriguing is a matchup of multiple big men you don’t always get at the high school level.

Kenwood vs. Joliet West, Dec. 3

Chicago Elite Classic at UIC

There will be no shortage of high-level talent and bonafide stars in this showdown, highlighted by Joliet West’s Jeremy Fears, Jr. and Kenwood’s Darrin Ames, two of the elite players in the state.

Hillcrest vs. East St. Louis, Dec. 10

Midwest Showdown in St. Louis

A long trip for the highly-regarded Hawks as coach Don Houston takes his team to play Missouri recruit Macaleab Rich and a loaded Flyers team. East St. Louis is a legit Class 3A state title contender.

Hillcrest vs. Normal, Dec. 11

Team Rose Shootout at Mt. Carmel

Hillcrest coach Don Houston and the Hawks travel back from St. Louis to play a talented Normal team the next day, one featuring a pair of Division I junior prospects: big man Jaheem Webber and guard Braylon Roman.

Evanston vs. Marian Catholic, Dec. 11

Team Rose Shootout at Mt. Carmel

A pair of preseason ranked teams looking to make an early non-conference statement. Evanston, led by senior Prince Adams, is off to a quick 4-0 start.

Marian Catholic at Benet, Dec. 16

This is the first of two key East Suburban Catholic Conference games between the two as the league has adopted a home-and-home for every conference team. This one sets the tone in a game featuring the two ESCC favorites.

New Trier vs. Evanston, Dec. 22

at Northwestern

This pre-holiday rivalry game is a must on the North Shore. It’s a key, early-season CSL South battle in front of thousands of fans at Northwestern.

Simeon vs. Young, Dec. 23

at UIC

The two premier programs in the state collide. These two have nine state championships between them — and 14 state title game appearances — since Simeon coach Robert Smith and Young coach Tyrone Slaughter have led these programs. Throw in a unique, pre-holiday date and it’s a special holiday gift for the high school basketball fan.

Curie at Kenwood, Jan. 5

A pair of preseason top 10 teams will start the new year off with a big one. Kenwood knocked off Curie 65-61 last year.

Downers Grove North at Lyons, Jan. 6

Move over Glenbard West. The West Suburban Silver will ultimately go through either Downers Grove North or Lyons this year. This will go a long way in deciding it.

Joliet West vs. Rolling Meadows, Jan. 7

Pappas Shootout at DePaul Prep

The state’s top two senior prospects, Cameron Christie and Jeremy Fears, Jr., go head-to-head while leading state-ranked teams.

Kenwood at Simeon, Jan. 10

The game of the year in the Chicago Public League? This one just might be.

Oswego East at Bolingbrook, Jan. 11

A sectional preview in this non-conference showdown? Plus, a couple of under-appreciated Division I players in Oswego East’s Mehki Lowery and Bolingbrook’s Mekhi Cooper will be on display.

Oswego East at Joliet West, Jan. 13

These two won their respective sides of the Southwest Prairie a year ago and are favored to do so again.

St. Ignatius at Loyola, Jan. 13

The Jesuit Cup always means something. But when these two teams are as solid as they continue to be, the rivalry means even more. Ignatius has the Division I senior combo of Richard Barron and Jackson Kotecki to help turn the tide in this rivalry. Loyola has won eight of the last nine.

Hillcrest at Lemont, Jan. 17

Hot 4-0 starts to the season for these two only enhances the anticipation for this showdown in the South Suburban Blue. Hillcrest is the favorite, but Lemont and the Castillo brothers, senior guards Rokas and Matas, will be ready.

Brother Rice vs. Rolling Meadows, Jan. 21

When Sides Collide

These two seasoned, veteran teams with Division I stalwarts (Cameron Christie and Ahmad Henderson) leading the way began the year ranked among the top 10. And both impressed over Thanksgiving with 4-0 starts.

Simeon vs. Moline, Jan. 21

When Sides Collide at Benet

Chicago area fans are able to get a glimpse of arguably the best Class 4A team in Illinois and the Iowa-bound tandem of point guard Brock Harding and 6-9 Owen Freeman.

Benet vs. Kenwood, Jan. 21

When Sides Collide at Benet

Coach Mike Irvin takes his loaded Kenwood team into what will be a hostile environment in the When Sides Collide finale. This is one of those games where both teams will truly be better from playing it.

Joliet West vs. Young, Jan. 21

When Sides Collide at Benet

Joliet West will get a possible shot at all the Public League heavyweights, including this one where two elite point guards, Jeremy Fears, Jr. and Dalen Davis, square off.

Bolingbrook at Downers Grove North, Jan. 21

A fun midseason battle featuring an established and dynamic senior guard, Bolingbrook’s Mekhi Cooper, and an up-and-coming junior, Downers North guard Jack Stanton.

St. Rita at Mount Carmel, Jan. 24

The South Side will be buzzing when talented and hyped St. Rita heads to 64th and Dante for a big-time road test. This one could mean a lot in the Chicago Catholic League.

Glenbrook North at Evanston, Jan. 27

Could this one decide the always tough Central Suburban League South? GBN has the experience and solid guard play with Ryan Cohen and Josh Fridman to go into Evanston and win.

Rolling Meadows vs. Moline, Jan. 28

at Glenbrook South

Talented Moline’s second trip to the Chicago area in eight days. This one involves three future Big Ten players in Moline’s Brock Harding and Owen Freeman, who are both headed to Iowa, and Minnesota recruit Cameron Christie of Rolling Meadows.

Mount Carmel at Brother Rice, Feb. 3

Should be a fun atmosphere and a good one in the Catholic League with two veteran, impact Division I-bound point guards — Brother Rice’s Ahmad Henderson and Mt. Carmel’s DeAndre Craig — leading the way.

Rolling Meadows at Glenbrook North, Feb. 7

These two were top four sectional seeds last year. If sectional assignments remain the same they could be together again as top four sectional seeds.

DePaul Prep at Brother Rice, Feb. 10

The last of many big Catholic League battles this year for a young but talented DePaul Prep team. But that youthful talent will be seasoned by February — and will need to be — facing the experienced and highly-ranked Brother Rice.

St. Ignatius at St. Rita, Feb. 17

We squeeze one more Chicago Catholic League matchup on the list. Who knows what the league standings will look like in the final week of the season. But these two could be at the top.

Lake Forest at Evanston, Feb. 17

This is a heck of a state tournament tune-up for these two teams — Lake Forest in Class 3A and Evanston in Class 4A. Asa Thomas, the sharpshooting Clemson recruit, takes Lake Forest into E-Town in an intriguing non-conference battle.

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3 Patrick Kane trade packages with the Boston BruinsVincent Pariseon November 29, 2022 at 2:00 pm

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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The Chicago Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the entire National Hockey League. They got off to a hot start so they aren’t at the bottom of the overall league standings yet but they will be in short order.

Right now, they should trade Patrick Kane as soon as they can before it is too late. His value isn’t going to be very high if they continue to play below their expectations because of the fact that he has no talent around him.

One team that would make a lot of sense for Kane is the Boston Bruins. At 18-3-0, they are one of the best teams in the league and will be looking to upgrade.

Right now, playing with the bad Chicago Blackhawks roster, Kane isn’t collecting points the way that we know he can. He is currently sitting at 3-13-16. His goal-scoring would certainly come up if he went to the Bruins and he’d collect more assists too.

Patrick Kane would be a perfect fit with the Boston Bruins right now.

If they were to acquire Kane, they’d be even more dangerous. He’d also start to collect some more points than he has been because of the fact that he’d be playing with much better players on a much better team.

Boston would need to work some things out with their salary cap (a trade might need some salary retention) so there is a lot to consider when it comes to this. The Hawks have a few ways that they could help make it work. If a trade like that happened, it might look something like this:

Next: Trade One
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3 Patrick Kane trade packages with the Boston BruinsVincent Pariseon November 29, 2022 at 2:00 pm Read More »

The Bears should pursue this Packers OL in the offseasonTodd Welteron November 29, 2022 at 1:00 pm

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 24: Elgton Jenkins #74 of the Green Bay Packers pass blocks against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay defeated Washington 24-10. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers renew their rivalry this Sunday at Soldier Field. The Packers are in the middle of a highly disappointing season so there is not a whole lot on the line in this game.

Although, one of these teams will move into sole possession of first place on the NFL’s all-time victories list.

Packers quarterback and unofficial Chicago Bears owner, Aaron Rodgers has a broken thumb and left the Philadelphia Eagles game with a rib injury. His status for the game is unknown although Rodgers plans to play if he is medically cleared.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is nursing a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Bears’ loss to the New York Jets. Backup quarterback Trevor Siemian played in that game with an oblique injury that nearly kept him from even playing.

There is a possibility of Jordan Love and Nathan Peterman starting at quarterback when the two rivals face off for the 206th time.

While this is normally the Chicago Bears fans’ version of the Super Bowl, the Bears currently have the second overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Beating the Packers could alter the Bears’ draft position. Taking a loss to the Packers in the grand scheme of things would not be all that bad.

The second pick is a prime draft slot for the Bears to hold onto because it would allow general manager Ryan Poles to get a massive draft-pick haul if he trades down to a team desperate for a quarterback. If he wants to stay at the second pick, he could take a game-wrecking defensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears have a lot of roster holes. They could use help at pretty much every position besides quarterback and running back.

The Bears will go into the 2023 offseason with over $125 million in salary cap space. That is a lot of money to spend on free agency and address the woeful offensive line.

The Bears should really consider bringing in this Packers offensive lineman.

Elgton Jenkins is set to hit free agency this offseason. He is a versatile lineman who can play both guard and tackle. He is ranked among the top 10 free agents available in 2023.

He has committed just four penalties and allowed just three sacks this season on an offensive line that has struggled to protect Aaron Rodgers.

Look at those downfield blocks by Elgton Jenkins and Josh Myers!

— Kyle Malzhan (@KyleMalzhan) November 28, 2022

Jenkins has played every position on the line except right guard. He made the Pro Bowl in 2020 as a left guard.

The Chicago Bears have Cody Whitehair at left guard but they could use Jenkins at either tackle position. Elgton Jenkins would be an immediate upgrade over Braxton Jones or Larry Borom. Plus, he is just entering the prime years of his career.

Jenkins has ties to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy from their days together in Green Bay. The only problem with Jenkins is he missed most of 2021 with a torn ACL and he has missed two games this season with injuries.

When healthy, Jenkins is a really good lineman. Signing an offensive lineman is not a headline-grabbing move but the Bears will not make any progress in 2023 if they do not upgrade the protection around Justin Fields.

Related Story: Here’s where the Bears sit in the 2023 NFL Draft after Week 12

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The Bears should pursue this Packers OL in the offseasonTodd Welteron November 29, 2022 at 1:00 pm Read More »

The Chicago Bears could hold much power in 2023 NFL DraftRyan Heckmanon November 29, 2022 at 12:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

It was an eventful morning for the Chicago Bears as they entered into a Week 12 matchup with the New York Jets.

In a year where they indeed know who their quarterback of the future is in Justin Fields, the Bears didn’t even know who would start the game against the Jets. It ended up being Trevor Siemian instead of Nathan Peterman, who looked like the starter for a split-second.

But, in any event, the Bears lost another game — their fifth straight — and dropped to 3-9.

That loss, coupled with a handful of other low-tier teams winning, put the Bears in excellent position for the 2023 NFL Draft. Now, fans are starting to look at the possibilities of what the Bears could end up doing.

The Chicago Bears could make things real interesting in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Looking at the way the 2023 NFL Draft order is shaking out, there are currently five teams within the top 10 that could — and should — trade up with the Bears in order to land a franchise quarterback.

1. Houston Texans

2. Chicago Bears

3. Detroit Lions (via LAR)

4. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

6. Carolina Panthers

7. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)

8. Arizona Cardinals

9. Green Bay Packers

10. Las Vegas Raiders

At number one, the Houston Texans will take whichever quarterback they believe to be “their guy” between Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. From there, things will get very interesting.

Let’s look at what exactly the Bears could get for that second overall pick, should they stay put through the end of the season. Take one of the more recent blockbuster trades we’ve seen, just for an example.

Filed to ESPN: Dolphins trading No. 3 overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick (SF’s comp pick for Robert Saleh hiring) and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, per sources.

Blockbuster deal with massive ramifications for years to come.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 26, 2021

The San Francisco 49ers sat outside the top 10, but not by much. They swapped first rounders in 2021, plus had to send a pair of first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, accompanied by an additional third rounder — to move up nine spots.

Assuming the Bears could get something similar, general manager Ryan Poles is going to have an absolute blast in negotiations.

Let’s say a team like Vegas wants to move up and move on from Derek Carr, along with the mess that’s become of their 2022 season. They move up from pick no. 10, to pick no. 2, with a package like this.

Bears Get
No. 10 pick, 2023 3rd round pick,
2024 1st round pick, 2024 4th round pick,2024 1st round pick,
2025 1st round pick,
Raiders Get
No. 2 pick

Knowing what we know now about Fields, and some of the other cornerstones on this roster, think of the possibilities with a trade like the above.

The Bears would then have an opportunity to trade down even further with a team like Seattle, who owns the 16th overall pick, should the Seahawks see a player they cannot live without.

The possibilities of adding draft capital are endless, really. This might end up being one of the most fun drafts in Bears history, and one that could immediately turn the tides in a positive way for the future of this organization.

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The Chicago Bears could hold much power in 2023 NFL DraftRyan Heckmanon November 29, 2022 at 12:00 pm Read More »

When will LeBron James break the NBA’s career points record?on November 28, 2022 at 2:40 pm

When LeBron James passed
Karl Malone for second
on the NBA’s career regular-season points list, he set his sights firmly on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the
NBA’s current all-time leading scorer.

Abdul-Jabbar has been atop the career points list since April 5, 1984 — eight months before James was even born — when he broke the mark previously held by Wilt Chamberlain. Now James has that record within reach, needing 998 points to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387.

At his career scoring average of 27.1 PPG, James would need 37 games to rack up that total, putting him on track to break the record on Feb. 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks. James has missed six games this season, and if he continues to miss games at the same rate he did last season, the record-breaking game would come March 12, against the New York Knicks. Through 13 games this season, James is averaging 25.4 PPG, leaving him slightly behind his career pace.

We’ll have ongoing coverage of LeBron’s quest, including updated game-by-game projections and complete stats, throughout the season.

JAMES VS. ABDUL-JABBAR

Even though James has already missed six games this season, he’s significantly ahead of the pace Abdul-Jabbar set in his 20th and final season in 1988-89. James has scored 330 points in 13 games in 2022-23; Abdul-Jabbar needed 33 games to reach the 300-point mark.

JAMES

ABDUL-JABBAR

YEAR-BY-YEAR POINT TOTALS

20TH YEAR COMPARISON

“Hopefully we’re in town, because I’m coming to that game [when LeBron breaks the record]. If we have a game, I still might come to the game, because that’s a big accomplishment. I love Bron and everything he’s done for me and everything he stands for.”

TYRONN LUE

LA Clippers head coach

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Despite briefly leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury, James returned and finished with 21 points, but the Lakers blew a 17-point lead and lost, falling to 7-12 on the season.

LAST 5 GAMES

“To know that I’m on the verge of breaking probably the most
sought-after record in the NBA, things that people say would probably never be done, I think it’s
just super humbling for myself. I think it’s super cool.”

LeBRON JAMES

On passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/GETTY IMAGES

James has topped the 40-point mark against Portland four times in his career, including twice as a Laker. When these two teams met in October, James finished with 31 points in a two-point Lakers loss.

MORE LEBRON JAMES

Edited by Adam Reisinger.

Produced by ESPN Creative Studio: Michelle Bashaw, Rob Booth, Chris DeLisle, Jessi Dodge, Heather Donahue,
Jarret Gabel, Luke Knox, Rachel Weiss.

Illustrations by Iveta Karpathyova. Development by Christian Ramirez. Research by ESPN Stats and
Information.

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When will LeBron James break the NBA’s career points record?on November 28, 2022 at 2:40 pm Read More »

Former Bull Lauri Markkanen shines, but Bulls get the win in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Maybe this unicorn story will have a happy ending after all.

That idea seemed far-fetched a couple of seasons ago, when Lauri Markkanen — once considered the next great NBA ”unicorn” — looked unhappy and broken in his final season with the Bulls in 2020-21.

Fast-forward to Monday, when Markkanen put on a clinic against his former team as a member of the Jazz.

A catch-and-shoot three-pointer 90 seconds into the game and a layup 30 seconds later. Then it was more long-distance shooting, shot after shot, dagger after dagger.

By the time the teams went into their locker rooms at halftime, Markkanen had scored 24 points on 9-for-10 shooting, including 5-for-6 from three-point range.

He would finish with a game-high 32 points, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome the Bulls (9-11), as the visiting team took control in the second half to pull out the 114-107 victory thanks to DeMar DeRozan’s 26 points.

That still didn’t diminish the Markkanen story for Utah (12-11), however.

“I’ve gotten better as a player,” Markkanen said of his turnaround. “Grown, getting more mature, just seeing things differently on the court. Everything clicking. I’m not saying it wasn’t in Chicago, but the style of play, and guys are buying into it.

“Of course you want to stay with one team. I don’t think it was meant to be at that time. I don’t have hard feelings. I gave it my all when I was there.”

His coach agreed with a lot of that.

”We really wanted to come in and just start fresh with him here,” Jazz coach Will Hardy said of Markkanen’s transformation with his new organization. ”I think last year in Cleveland he had a good year, and with the Finnish national team he played great this [past] summer. So it was really trying to just move forward with that.

”I think right now he’s in a good spot. Our group, our team, fits the way he plays, and it’s great to see his confidence growing. Sometimes with young players in the NBA, you can overreact if they’re not as good as maybe you think they should be, and some are just based on the situation they’re in. It’s nobody’s fault. It just takes them a minute to figure out where they fit.”

Markkanen obviously has figured it out, but that wasn’t the case in his last two seasons with the Bulls.

Drafted No. 7 overall in 2017 because of his ability to stretch the floor as a 7-footer, he instantly was put in the ”unicorn” category, which is reserved for players who have the size and skills to be a matchup nightmare.

And there were signs he would be just that in his first two seasons.

By Year 3 and his first full season under former coach Jim Boylen, however, Markkanen was unhappy with the way he was being used. He was so unhappy, in fact, that twice that season while teammates were being interviewed, Markkanen sarcastically said in the background: ”Ask about our offense. Nice offense.”

By the time the 2020-21 season was underway with Billy Donovan at the helm, Markkanen appeared to be drained of passion and broken. He eventually was moved from power forward to small forward, lost his starting job and averaged career lows in points (13.6) and rebounds (5.3).

Markkanen was traded that offseason, packaged in a three-way deal that sent him to the Cavaliers, Larry Nance Jr. to the Trail Blazers and Derrick Jones Jr. to the Bulls.

He found his way to Utah this past summer in the trade for Donovan Mitchell and has resurrected his career. He is playing at an All-Star level.

Donovan isn’t the least bit surprised.

”I was always a big fan of his when I was in Oklahoma City,” Donovan said. ”I think that one of the things that happened when he came in the league — because he was so unique with his size and ability to shoot and his skill level — it took a little bit of time for some of those players at that power-forward position to get accustomed to guarding him.

”I think he got a little bit of a reputation that he’s got to be physically tougher. I never saw that at all. I do think that some of the things that happened to our team, moving him to the small-forward spot was not his natural position. But I think he’s a winning player.”

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Bulls coach Billy Donovan wants expectations tempered on young players

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The outside perception of Patrick Williams makes the young Bulls forward laugh.

“I’m not a robot,” Williams said. “I feel like my teammates and coaches know what I’m about, but I can’t just be what people outside the building think I should be. I know my skillset, my body, and I’m figuring things out. I know what I’m capable of doing, and what I still need to work on.”

So does his coach.

That’s why Billy Donovan went out of his way on Monday to not only speak about how he feels Williams should be perceived by others, but really all young players.

Leading up to the Jazz game, there was obviously a lot of talk about former Bull Lauri Markkanen and the way he was handled. Selected No. 7 overall by the Bulls in the 2017 draft, Markkanen’s game seemed to diminish by Year 4.

Now with Utah, he’s flourishing.

A cautionary tale about how the organization is now dealing with Williams, who was selected No. 4 overall in the 2020 draft? Somewhat. But more about Donovan wanting there to be a more realistic view of expectations on young players.

“I mean you look at [former Bull] Wendell [Carter Jr.] when I got here, look at Coby [White], even Lauri, when I was in Oklahoma City and you see those young players come in, it’s really hard when you just all of a sudden make a statement on draft night, ‘This is our future, this is what we’re building around,’ ” Donovan said. “We’ve tried to be really careful with that with Patrick. Because I think it’s a responsibility, and a heck of a responsibility to live up to.

“There was a time that when a guy was a top five or a top 10 player, those guys generally … you were pretty confident that this guy was going to be a long-standing starter, maybe an All-Star. But that was when guys stayed three or four years in college and there was a maturity coming in. For a lot of these guys, these top picks, when they come in there’s an expectation that they’re going to evolve into this. I think it’s really unfair, because there’s more of a history of guys that have been top 10 picks that ‘haven’t’ developed into All-Stars.”

Williams had a nice 10-game showcase under his belt entering the Utah meeting, averaging 10.8 points and five rebounds per game over that span. More importantly, he was using his physicality in Donovan’s estimation.

“The biggest thing you do is try and have a level of accountability on the things he can control,” Donovan said. “For a guy with that kind of body and strength, you should be feeling him through the course of a game. Here of late you’re starting to feel him a little bit more. That’s what he’s got to do because he does have a lot of skillsets.”

Caru-show

Alex Caruso was dealing with a right ankle sprain, and was unable to put in any practice time the last few days.

He was a go against the Jazz, but the mindset of the organization with Caruso and his injuries remained less minutes is more.

“Just trying to be conscientious of his minutes and those long stretches for him because he does play hard,” Donovan said. “From my perspective, there are going to be some nights where he’s going to get over 30 minutes. For the most part, we’re just trying to manage how hard he does play and compete in relationship to the number of minutes he’s getting.”

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