Eurobasket 2025

[Step-Back Lauri]

Imo the worst part was his decissionmaking. He didnt attack/hunt the correct matchups and took unnecessarily difficult shots and drives.

It was almost as if he tried to put the team on his back but couldnt. Thing is... I dont think he needed to.

Yeah, he absolutely didn't need to. Their best run was on third quarter when Lauri was resting. Of course first five minutes were fine with him, before Germany got their things together and picked apart any defensive schemes we had. Schröder is one smart cookie adapting to defensive plans

 

[underdog]

I thought Lauri played quite well against Germany. He received intense defensive pressure throughout the game and had to take tough shots. Tomorrow, he'll be facing Giannis, who didn’t have a good game (12 pts, 5 TOs, –30) against Turkey. Like Lauri, he was guarded heavily

 

[jazznik]

I thought Lauri played quite well against Germany. He received intense defensive pressure throughout the game and had to take tough shots. Tomorrow, he'll be facing Giannis, who didn’t have a good game (12 pts, 5 TOs, –30) against Turkey. Like Lauri, he was guarded heavily

But that comes with the territory of being a star and an offensive leader of your team. And no, other stars, despite facing similarly intense defensive pressure, managed to be more efficient throughout the tournament. You can look at the top 20 scorers of EuroBasket 2025 and try to find a player with lower FG% then Lauri (hint: you will not). And, if you exclude the first two games, when Lauri was efficient against really, really bad teams his stats for the rest of the EuroBasket become quite bad: 19.7 PPG on 39% FG and 24% 3PT FG.

It is still great for Finland, but the problem for the Jazz fans is that the NBA is still trying to figure out if Lauri can be a star offensive player on a good team (playing against good defenses in meaningful games). And his EuroBasket stats are one more argument that Markkanen is rather an elite role player who can thrive playing alongside true offensive stars. And it would be very, very hard to find suitors for an elite role player on a max contract.

But I still expect a great performance from Lauri against Greece.

 

[Step-Back Lauri]

Lauri has been in a total trash mode again. It feels he doesn't have any fire. Instead of dunking when a clear chance, he too often chooses to take slightly contested shots with a list touch to score, hopes for a whistle and looks bummed if not getting one

Say goodbye for any wishes to get anything good for him in trade. Unless he plays with a physical issue that's not been told, this is super worrying.

Tank two more seasons, draft Muurinen in 2027 class and trade Lauri for anything available.

 

[homeytennis]

Lauri has been in a total trash mode again. It feels he doesn't have any fire. Instead of dunking when a clear chance, he too often chooses to take slightly contested shots with a list touch to score, hopes for a whistle and looks bummed if not getting one

Say goodbye for any wishes to get anything good for him in trade. Unless he plays with a physical issue that's not been told, this is super worrying.

Tank two more seasons, draft Muurinen in 2027 class and trade Lauri for anything available.

He did have some back issues last season and perhaps he is still guarding that.

 

[vps]

After the bronze medal game, Lauri said to Finnish media that he was playing with some issues in his body. Didn't specify but said he was receiving treatment between games.

 

[KqWIN]

Issac Bonga can probably play in the NBA btw. He’s not some 6’9 PG like he was drafted to be, but he can really shoot it now.

 

[jazznik]

So, how is the performance of Team Finland is perceived in Finland? Do people think that it was a success or a disappointment? And who is getting the credit or the blame?

 

[gandalfe]

So, how is the performance of Team Finland is perceived in Finland? Do people think that it was a success or a disappointment? And who is getting the credit or the blame?

Their previous best finish was 6th back in 1967, before some of the current players PARENTS were born.

 

[jazznik]

Their previous best finish was 6th back in 1967, before some of the current players PARENTS were born.

Oh, I know. But when you get to the semi-finals and end up being the 4th there is always that weird sad feeling. So I was curious about the vibes in Finland.

 

[Jiipee84]

Lauri has been in a total trash mode again. It feels he doesn't have any fire. Instead of dunking when a clear chance, he too often chooses to take slightly contested shots with a list touch to score, hopes for a whistle and looks bummed if not getting one

Say goodbye for any wishes to get anything good for him in trade. Unless he plays with a physical issue that's not been told, this is super worrying.

Tank two more seasons, draft Muurinen in 2027 class and trade Lauri for anything available.

Sad but true.
Lauri has lots to prove before he's tradeable.
None sensible NBA GM will not pay Ainge's asking price for seriously overpaid role player that contract what Jazz gave for Lauri is basically untradeable.

 

[Jiipee84]

So, how is the performance of Team Finland is perceived in Finland? Do people think that it was a success or a disappointment? And who is getting the credit or the blame?

I think it was passable but that's it.
Susijengi as a team was mediocre and neutral overall depth outside of Lauri and Mikael Jantunen was thinner than toilet paper.
Point-guards and whole backcourt was meh defence was melt cheese too often, rebounding, rim protection and shot blocking was iffy especially vs Georgia, Germany and Greece.

Being totally honest Serbia should have won us easily in round 16 but they didn't get job done because of the injuries etc problems.
Only who should be blamed is coaching staff.

Changes before next Eurobasket ( 2029 ) are a must.
And that requires coaching, roster, game plan etc changes.
But the biggest question is that does Finnish basketball federation have enough money, resources etc to do all those things.