SALT LAKE CITY — Bulls shooting guard Justin Holiday believes in unicorns.
After all, he spent last season in New York playing alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
“Unreal talent . . . size and talent,’’ Holiday said of the 7-3 Porzingis.
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Porzingis is considered the NBA’s first unicorn — Kevin Durant bestowed that nickname upon him — but there have been other sightings throughout the NBA.
The Bucks think they have one in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the 76ers love what Joel Embiid is becoming.
“They’re sprouting up all over,’’ Holiday joked.
So what defines an NBA unicorn these days? A 7-footer who can shoot from three-point range, score inside and basically do it all on both ends of the floor.
That’s the kind of player Bulls rookie forward Lauri Markkanen wants to become, even if at 20, he can only claim baby-unicorn status.
“That’s definitely a personal goal for me, just to change the game and be one of those top guys, those 7-footers that can do it all,’’ Markkanen said. “That’s ultimately where I want to be.’’
But he’s not there yet.
“Markkanen is going in the right direction to get toward that, for sure,’’ Holiday said. “Obviously, everything he does on the court is what we need, and he does do everything well. I guess it comes down to how it happens consistently down the road.’’
He needs to get stronger, and, to his credit, Markkanen does put in time in the weight room, but the last two games of this four-game trip have shown a lack of consistency.
Before the games against the Lakers and Jazz, Markkanen was shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.
In those two losses, however, the seventh overall pick shot a combined 5-for-26 (19 percent) from the field and 2-for-13 (15 percent) from three-point range.
His three points in the Bulls’ 110-80 blowout loss Wednesday to the Jazz were a season low.
“The thing we really like about Lauri is he won’t let a bad game keep him from shooting,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He’s fearless that way.
“I really do believe that the sky is the limit for Lauri because there’s just not many guys in this league that can score from every area on the floor.’’
Scoring isn’t all Markkanen wants to show, either. He’s looking to smash the stereotype that European players — especially bigs — are on the soft side.
“Yeah, I definitely think that stereotype exists,’’ Markkanen said. “I know where I am right now, and it’s not like I’m some freak athlete or anything like that, but I think there’s definitely a stereotype for guys like me. Hopefully, I can change that.’’
Holiday agreed.
“That label doesn’t pertain to his game at all,’’ Holiday said. “That I know.’’
Follow me on Twitter @suntimes_hoops.
Email: jcowley@suntimes.com
