Lauri Markkanen is unquestionably one of the players who impresses the most this season, in a somewhat unexpected way. He manages to keep the Jazz on the right track, that of progression. Just last night, he helped lock in the win over the Magic. Well placed in the race for the Best Progression trophy since the start of the season, the Finn declared that he didn’t think regarding it more than that. Well let’s see.
If five months ago, someone announced Lauri Markkanen as a Jazz leader and franchise player who we can count on to go far, everyone would have laughed. But this is no longer the case. The Finn is having a most convincing season in a franchise that was seen testing the bottom of the west from October to April. Finally, Utah was in the Top 8 for a long time thanks in part to Markkanen, before going back down to refocus on their real objective of reconstruction. However, the all-new All-Star has not lowered his level. Yesterday once more once morest the Magic, he slammed an excellent performance with 31 points at 50% in shooting, 5 rebounds and a block with the game winner ten seconds from the end. All these elements make him a natural candidate for the MIP. But the principal concerned does not even think regarding it.
“It’s an extra motivation, but I don’t really think regarding it. I talked regarding responsibility, and I appreciate the challenge, and if those individual goals come through, if we keep winning games and if I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. I go there every day to keep improving, and I hope that will happen, but we will see. I’m just trying to rack up the kills and keep going from there, but obviously that would be a cool trophy to have at home, but that’s not the main focus right now. ” – Lauri Markkanen
LAURI. ????????
31 POINTS
5 REB
3x 3PMHis 14th game at 30 PTS this season
With 182 baskets at 3-PTS, Markkanen is the 3rd Jazzman in the all-time ranking during a first season ???? pic.twitter.com/TGgpd3NeH1
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) March 10, 2023
However, with 25 points, 8.5 rebounds and 51% marksmanship, the stats are there. He easily broke his averages from last year, although he had a more defensive role in Cleveland (+11pts, +7% address and +3 rebounds). He even smashes his best career shooting average obtained with the Bulls which was 18 points at 43%. His only competitor is obviously Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA has the same balance sheet problem, but is having an extraordinary individual season with OKC. With 31 points, 5 rebounds and 5.7 assists, he is one of the best players in the League. He too is experiencing a notable improvement compared to last season (+7 points and 6%). The race promises to be tense until the end and difficult to predict who will cross the finish line first.
Source : ESPN
