Basketball: How Lauri Markkanen Grew From Finish To Finnisher

Suppose you asked a fan of the Utah Jazz basketball team what they expected of Lauri Markkanen before the season started. In that case, you will be met with a blank face and an uncertain question. They understand that Markkanen is a good basketball player, but he probably isn’t of a caliber that can single-handedly win them games.

Ask the same Jazz fan about his thoughts on Lauri now that the Jazz are nearing the midpoint of the season. Their reactions may depend on whether they want Danny Ainge to draft Victor Wembanyama.

Markkanen is showing incredible progress that may surprise fans and Xgtiger Casino players who haven’t been following the Finn’s progress. However, those who have been fans of him since his days in Arizona know that his current form is exactly what he should have been when the Chicago Bulls drafted him seventh overall in 2017.

The Chicago Bulls Wasted High Potential

Lauri Markkanen entered the league with a lot of hype. He had his only productive season with the Arizona Wildcats, averaging 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He was praised for his scoring ability, shooting 49% from the field, 42% from deep, and 84% from the free-throw line.

His rookie year with the Bulls was solid. He averaged 15 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 68 starts. He followed it up with an even more impressive sophomore campaign, where his production increased to 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

However, what should have been an outstanding career was squandered by his decreased production in his final two seasons in the Windy City. He saw fewer touches as Jim Boylen assigned him to the corner as a catch-and-shoot option.

His efficiency across the board dipped, and his confidence plummeted. In the first year of Boylen’s reign, his shooting efficiency dipped somewhat: he shot 42% from the floor and 34% from three-point land. In his final year for the Bulls, he averaged career lows in points (13.6) and rebounds (5.3). He was eventually replaced in the starting lineup by Nikola Vucevic when the Bulls traded him in the 2020/21 season.

Some may point to this decline as an effect of Boylen’s terrible stint on the Bulls sideline. However, Markkanen took responsibility for his performances on the court. As he now looks back on his time in the Windy City, there’s no denying that his stellar play for the Jazz quietly surprised some Bulls fans.

What would the Bulls be today if Boylen and GarPax hadn’t stopped his development? Is their playoff run deep? Will they fight for the Larry O’Brien trophy?

Lauri Markkanen Renewed in Cleveland

Lauri Markkanen was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade deal. Few had any real clues as to how Markkanen would play in the ‘Land, but everything went well for him and the Cavaliers when they finally got to see him play.

His numbers skyrocketed in his first and only year for the upstart Cavs. His performance last season (14.8 PPG, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists on 45%/36%/87% shooting splits) was a return to form for the Finnish big.

He is starting to bond with the Cavs and is enjoying playing team basketball with a team that values his play compared to the Bulls. He is willing to settle with the team, even buying a house in Cleveland.

However, even he understood that the league was a business. He didn’t blame the Cavs when they sent him to the Jazz to land a talented All-Star in Donovan Mitchell.

Lauri Markkanen’s Good Start in SLC Life

Markkanen got to play a bit of EuroBasket before starting the season with the Jazz. This allowed them to see what their new player could do and if he would be a good piece to surround Victor Wembanyama.

They must have been happy with Lauri Markkanen showing up in Europe. He is the second best scorer in EuroBasket with his 27.9 PPG, and his 8.1 RPG is ninth among all players. He created his shots and was almost unstoppable until Finland fell to Spain in the quarter-finals.

Jazz fans were cautiously optimistic ahead of their season opener against the Denver Nuggets and were surprised by a win. The wins kept coming in spades, with Markkanen at the center of it all.

They finished the first ten games of the season with a 7-3 record. Lauri Markkanen averaged a near-double-double of 22 points and nine rebounds that season.

Suddenly, people started talking about whether the Jazz would make a playoff push and whether Markkanen’s performances were real. As Utah cooled off, Lauri seemed far from finished. He averaged 22.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while playing nearly 34 minutes per game.

Why is Lauri Suddenly Famous?

One of the biggest secrets to the Jazz’s success was Willy Hardy’s playing technique. The team is focused on moving the ball quickly and smoothly. Lauri’s great moves on the court and his three-level scoring ability synergized well with Hardy’s offense. Even his defense got a boost under Hardy.

Another reason for his success can be pointed to his team. There aren’t any real superstar-caliber players on the team. Unlike in Chicago and Cleveland, no one on the Jazz roster can take touches away from him.

Finally, Lauri Markkanen showed Danny Ainge that he is a great player. Some Jazz fans even get flashbacks of Gordon Hayward when they watch him play. The statistics prove them right.

What’s Next For Lauri Markkanen?

Depending on who you ask, Lauri Markkanen is a solid #1 or #2 option for the Jazz. He’s nowhere near the finished product, and aspects like his dribbling and playmaking need some work.

However, he proved himself to Danny Ainge and the Utah crowd that his talent was real. Whether they get Wembanyama or not, they have a solid building for the future in Markkanen. Keep going to our online casino Xgtiger Casino to find out about it!

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