Like the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen was one of the nice surprises of last season. For his first campaign outside the Eastern Conference, the 26-year-old power forward completed the best performance of his career: 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds on average, at 50% shooting (including 39% from 3-point range) and 88% on throws.
Enough to allow him to be selected for his first All-Star Game in… Salt Lake City, then to be crowned “Most Improved Player (MIP)” in the continuity of this star-studded event.
A full year for Lauri Markkanen, who was then not idle during the summer. In addition to his participation in the World Cup with Finland (21st place), he took advantage of the off-season to complete his military service, compulsory for all Finns aged 18 to 30. A real “pride” for him.
« It went well », he confided on this subject, during the media day of Utah. « It challenges you physically and mentally, but it was a good experience to have for the future, as a leader. I had a great time and made a lot of friends. »
Expectations raised in Utah
Ideally, Lauri Markkanen therefore hopes that his military experience in the land of a thousand lakes will benefit him for the rest of his NBA career.
« It puts you in an uncomfortable situation sometimes, but I’ve somehow learned to overcome that “, he continued this Monday. “ On a basketball court, we all know what’s going on, but it was totally different learning new skills and understanding how to overcome [les choses], individually and in groups. I think that was the difficult part: being expected to be a leader and to lead, in situations that I had never seen before. »
He will now be able to rely on his summer in Finland to meet the new expectations of Jazz, throughout the 2023/24 season.
« He’s a leader now, I think he’s ready for this role », indicated his coach, Will Hardy. « What we’ve talked about a lot together is understanding that people are scrutinizing it even when you don’t want them to. So, the way you react to different situations in the middle of a match, after a match, in training or during a video session, that matters for the team. He must get used to carrying and supporting this weight. »
Lauri Markkanen Rebounds Percentage Season Team MJ Min Shots 3pts LF Off Def Tot Pd Fte Int Bp Ct Pts 2017-18 CHI 68 30 43.4 36.2 84.3 1.2 6.3 7.5 1.2 1.5 0.6 1.2 0.6 15.2 2018-19 CHI 52 32 43.0 36.1 87.2 1.4 7.6 9.0 1.4 2.4 0.7 1.6 0.6 18.7 2019-20 CHI 50 30 42.5 34.4 82.4 1.2 5.1 6.3 1.5 1.9 0.8 1.6 0.5 14.7 2020-21 CHI 51 26 48.0 40.2 82 .6 0.7 4.6 5.3 0.9 1.5 0.5 1.0 0.3 13.6 2021-22 CLE 61 31 44.5 35.8 86.8 1.0 4.7 5.7 1.3 2.1 0.7 0.9 0.5 14.8 2022-23 UTH 66 34 49.9 39.1 87.5 2.0 6.7 8.6 1.9 2.1 0.6 1.9 0.6 25.6 Total 348 31 45. 5 37.1 85.8 1.3 5.9 7.1 1.4 1.9 0.7 1.4 0.5 17.3
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
2023-10-03 18:47:49
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