Markkanen 43/9/3 vs Croatia

[SelfishPlayer]

His problem is that he doesn't have a true NBA position. He's soft overall, doesn't defend the perimeter well enough and doesn't defend the paint.

[BobbyPortisEyes]

Amazing performance, amazing play from him throughout the tournament and certainly thread worthy.

But it's not something that makes NY media look "silly" or is indicative in any way of him being a "building block" for the Jazz. It's very different being a good shot creator and maker on a team with zero NBA caliber players (Finland's second best player is Sasu Salin who by NBA standards is not good at anything) versus being one on an NBA team. I think the best case scenario for both the Jazz and Lauri is that he's given a lot of freedom this season, he balls out and is then traded for a 1st round pick next offseason to a team that's genuinely trying to compete.

You are correct, but on the other hand, it is impressive to score so much so efficiently when you are such a focal point, to a point entire opponent plan is to just stop you.

Well that certainly wasn’t the opposing team’s plan in this game. Lauri wasn’t truly doubled a single time the entire game. I don’t know what the Croatian coach was thinking.. probably just that Lauri would run out of gas eventually. I will say that Lauri’s conditioning looks excellent. A year ago I thought he was too chiseled and not really in his comfort zone physically. He seems to have found his sweet spot now.

[Hugi Mancura]

Amazing performance, amazing play from him throughout the tournament and certainly thread worthy.

But it's not something that makes NY media look "silly" or is indicative in any way of him being a "building block" for the Jazz. It's very different being a good shot creator and maker on a team with zero NBA caliber players (Finland's second best player is Sasu Salin who by NBA standards is not good at anything) versus being one on an NBA team. I think the best case scenario for both the Jazz and Lauri is that he's given a lot of freedom this season, he balls out and is then traded for a 1st round pick next offseason to a team that's genuinely trying to compete.

You are correct, but on the other hand, it is impressive to score so much so efficiently when you are such a focal point, to a point entire opponent plan is to just stop you.

Well that certainly wasn’t the opposing team’s plan in this game. Lauri wasn’t truly doubled a single time the entire game. I don’t know what the Croatian coach was thinking.. probably just that Lauri would run out of gas eventually. I will say that Lauri’s conditioning looks excellent. A year ago I thought he was too chiseled and not really in his comfort zone physically.

Yeah, Croatia didn't double him. The question opposing teams need to answer when they meet a team with one clear scorer. Do we stop him and let his team score, or do we let him score and stop the other players. This time Croatia made the 'lets stop others' choice.

[Swuul]

You are correct, but on the other hand, it is impressive to score so much so efficiently when you are such a focal point, to a point entire opponent plan is to just stop you.

Well that certainly wasn’t the opposing team’s plan is in this game. Lauri wasn’t truly doubled a single time the entire game.

I am not quite sure which match you have watched. Lauri Markkanen, Sasu Salin and Petteri Koponen were doubled every time they got the ball, it did look like that was the plan. On Koponen it succeed, he had an off night (although he made an un-godly amount of screens for such a short player), but on Salin and especially Markkanen it all went tits up, especially in first half. There were switches which saw three players rush after Markkanen while leaving Salin (a murderous 3 pt sniper) open, and there were plays where three players rushed after Salin which saw Markkanen have a clear road to the basket.

Personally I think Croatia did miss a vocal defensive leader on the field; they all tried to react to the coach screaming at the sidelines, and it didn't go that well.

[BobbyPortisEyes]

Lauri said in a post-game interview himself that he wasn’t doubled. Because he wasn’t.

[Swuul]

Lauri said in a post-game interview himself that he wasn’t doubled. Because he wasn’t.

Right.

Watch on YouTube

[yoyoboy]

I was so bummed to lose Lauri. He loved being here and he was working so hard to expand his perimeter skills, and it's showing. If we could've kept him instead of LeVert, man this starting 5 would be formidable going forward.

[BobbyPortisEyes]

Lauri said in a post-game interview himself that he wasn’t doubled. Because he wasn’t.

Right.

Watch on YouTube

lmao an inbounds play with 0.1 seconds left? You think they’re gonna guard the perimeter in case of a volleyball spike instead of the area under the basket? You’re better than that.

[Nuntius]

Not saying Markkanen can't be what you said, but I don't see how the NY media looks silly because of one game vs Croatia.

It's not just this one game. Lauri has been amazing throughout this tournament. He is averaging 27.8 PPG on 53.4% shooting (40.5% from 3), 7.7 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.5 SPG. He has been one of the best players in the tournament. Only Luka, Giannis and Jokic have played better than him.

Sure. But there are far more data showing he is not going to be averaging those numbers in the NBA. He isn't an incoming rookie.

Oh, I agree, Lauri is definitely not going to be averaging 27.8 PPG in the NBA at any point. But he definitely could be averaging better numbers than the ones he did in his last two years. After all, he did average 18.7 PPG and 9 RPG in his sophomore year in Chicago. Then he started facing some injury issues and his role changed but he can still produce good offensive numbers for a team that is going to tank. I feel that this is what the OP was trying to say. That Markkanen can be a lot more productive in a featured role than he was recently, not that he's going to be a star.

[Exp0sed]

It's not just this one game. Lauri has been amazing throughout this tournament. He is averaging 27.8 PPG on 53.4% shooting (40.5% from 3), 7.7 RPG, 2.3 APG and 1.5 SPG. He has been one of the best players in the tournament. Only Luka, Giannis and Jokic have played better than him.

Sure. But there are far more data showing he is not going to be averaging those numbers in the NBA. He isn't an incoming rookie.

Oh, I agree, Lauri is definitely not going to be averaging 27.8 PPG in the NBA at any point. But he definitely could be averaging better numbers than the ones he did in his last two years. After all, he did average 18.7 PPG and 9 RPG in his sophomore year in Chicago. Then he started facing some injury issues and his role changed but he can still produce good offensive numbers for a team that is going to tank. I feel that this is what the OP was trying to say. That Markkanen can be a lot more productive in a featured role than he was recently, not that he's going to be a star.

I think part of the story here is a mentality issue that certain players seem to develop:
Guys like Lauri who were probably usage stars and go to-guys from a juvenile age, find themselves in their late teens early 20's, as foreign rookies who are expected to know their place in the pecking order and cater to their team's "stars" - lose alot of their confidence

when they are the best player on the team - they play with much more confidence, fluidity, less second guessing and just being alot more assertive in general.

Markanen is a good example of this imo, Avdija is a good one as well, he was bothered by injuries halfway thru the tourney but in the first few games he looked amazing and just a totally different demeanor, because he is more comfortable in the role if the leader\star

that's not to say teams should give those guys the keys, haha - they shouldn't

[Ayt]

Sure. But there are far more data showing he is not going to be averaging those numbers in the NBA. He isn't an incoming rookie.

Oh, I agree, Lauri is definitely not going to be averaging 27.8 PPG in the NBA at any point. But he definitely could be averaging better numbers than the ones he did in his last two years. After all, he did average 18.7 PPG and 9 RPG in his sophomore year in Chicago. Then he started facing some injury issues and his role changed but he can still produce good offensive numbers for a team that is going to tank. I feel that this is what the OP was trying to say. That Markkanen can be a lot more productive in a featured role than he was recently, not that he's going to be a star.

I think part of the story here is a mentality issue that certain players seem to develop:
Guys like Lauri who were probably usage stars and go to-guys from a juvenile age, find themselves in their late teens early 20's, as foreign rookies who are expected to know their place in the pecking order and cater to their team's "stars" - lose alot of their confidence

when they are the best player on the team - they play with much more confidence, fluidity, less second guessing and just being alot more assertive in general.

Markanen is a good example of this imo, Avdija is a good one as well, he was bothered by injuries halfway thru the tourney but in the first few games he looked amazing and just a totally different demeanor, because he is more comfortable in the role if the leader\star

that's not to say teams should give those guys the keys, haha - they shouldn't

He had plenty of opportunities in Chicago.

[mg]

I was so bummed to lose Lauri. He loved being here and he was working so hard to expand his perimeter skills, and it's showing. If we could've kept him instead of LeVert, man this starting 5 would be formidable going forward.

Ainge is smart. LeVert is not something he would have the least bit interest in.

When it comes to Lauri I am concerned he won't have Allen and Mobley defending his back anymore. Not sure what his true NBA position is to be honest. Playing the 3 was a bit of a unique situation in Cleveland since they had the twin towers.

[PaKii94]

Oh, I agree, Lauri is definitely not going to be averaging 27.8 PPG in the NBA at any point. But he definitely could be averaging better numbers than the ones he did in his last two years. After all, he did average 18.7 PPG and 9 RPG in his sophomore year in Chicago. Then he started facing some injury issues and his role changed but he can still produce good offensive numbers for a team that is going to tank. I feel that this is what the OP was trying to say. That Markkanen can be a lot more productive in a featured role than he was recently, not that he's going to be a star.

I think part of the story here is a mentality issue that certain players seem to develop:
Guys like Lauri who were probably usage stars and go to-guys from a juvenile age, find themselves in their late teens early 20's, as foreign rookies who are expected to know their place in the pecking order and cater to their team's "stars" - lose alot of their confidence

when they are the best player on the team - they play with much more confidence, fluidity, less second guessing and just being alot more assertive in general.

Markanen is a good example of this imo, Avdija is a good one as well, he was bothered by injuries halfway thru the tourney but in the first few games he looked amazing and just a totally different demeanor, because he is more comfortable in the role if the leader\star

that's not to say teams should give those guys the keys, haha - they shouldn't

He had plenty of opportunities in Chicago.

Ehh bigs need solid PGs to run the offense for them. Who did Lauri have in chi?

[Knightfall]

I was so bummed to lose Lauri. He loved being here and he was working so hard to expand his perimeter skills, and it's showing. If we could've kept him instead of LeVert, man this starting 5 would be formidable going forward.

Ainge is smart. LeVert is not something he would have the least bit interest in.

When it comes to Lauri I am concerned he won't have Allen and Mobley defending his back anymore. Not sure what his true NBA position is to be honest. Playing the 3 was a bit of a unique situation in Cleveland since they had the twin towers.

SF is probably his most useful position in the NBA. He has the skill to stay competitive and length to challenge shorts on the perimeter causing plenty of disruption for opposing players. Now if you have competent front court defenders you're set. Definitely dont use him at the 5 and yeah you can get away with minutes at the stretch 4.

[Airmiess]

So hes finally arrived?

[Charlesareed]

Watch on YouTube

Deserves a thread of its own. Great performance. And one gotta say that NY media looks silly right now, once again.

Jazz got a great building blocks for future with Markkanen and future picks. Will be interesting next year when Markkanen is in a bigger offensive role once again, can he deliver near all-star level of numbers on (most likely) not a playoff team. Also question remains can he stay healthy full/near full 82 games.

No this 1 game means nothing he sucked on a bulls team that was hopeful he could do what he did in the game over a course of his NBA career he’s trash he can’t play in the nba he’s to passive and scared to death lay to his full potential watch some of his games in Arizona he plays totally different on the nba court

[sip]

He is definitely set for a breakout year. He will be surrounded by a bunch of good shooters to give him room to operate and should be the focal point of the offense. I would think 20 and 8 is a pretty reasonable expectation for him. I wouldn't be surprised to see him around the 23 and 10 number though based on the confidence level he is going to have after this tournament. I expect to see a far more aggressive Lauri than we have seen at any point in his career.

Sent from my SM-G988U using RealGM mobile app

[PistolPeteJR]

Remember when Luis Scola was smoking teams in the summer when he was with the Raptors and most Raps fans thought it meant he was the next big thing lol?

[Johnny Bball]

I was so bummed to lose Lauri. He loved being here and he was working so hard to expand his perimeter skills, and it's showing. If we could've kept him instead of LeVert, man this starting 5 would be formidable going forward.

Ainge is smart. LeVert is not something he would have the least bit interest in.

When it comes to Lauri I am concerned he won't have Allen and Mobley defending his back anymore. Not sure what his true NBA position is to be honest. Playing the 3 was a bit of a unique situation in Cleveland since they had the twin towers.

Cap space is what he should have had interest in.

[Johnny Bball]

I was so bummed to lose Lauri. He loved being here and he was working so hard to expand his perimeter skills, and it's showing. If we could've kept him instead of LeVert, man this starting 5 would be formidable going forward.

Ainge is smart. LeVert is not something he would have the least bit interest in.

When it comes to Lauri I am concerned he won't have Allen and Mobley defending his back anymore. Not sure what his true NBA position is to be honest. Playing the 3 was a bit of a unique situation in Cleveland since they had the twin towers.

Cap space is what he should have had interest in.