Lauri Markkanen Hype & Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter The Midnight
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Tremendous Upside
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Many of his counting & advanced stats are better than last season. He's just not getting the hype now.
Lauri's playing slightly less minutes this year, but per 36 his numbers are almost identical. IMO, the most interesting difference is that he's improved his offensive rebounding quite a bit and is averaging a career high by far. When you consider that he's doing this while playing in a slightly more perimeter / spot-up oriented role than last season, it really shows that he's putting in effort to crash the boards.
fishonjazz
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He is amazing. By far our best player. It's not even close. Should be an allstar but likely won't be
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His stats are basically identical from last year on a per 36 basis. Advanced stats are better. Team record is basically the same. Team record could be better if the trajectory continues.
LogGrad98
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Yeah but he doesn't have the surprise factor. What have you done for me lately and all that.
underdog
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I think Lauri has improved from last year. He's looking opportunities to pass more than before. He's also constantly creating open lanes for his teammates by setting screens, he has also learnt to deal with defenders who chase him, and his overall defense is better than last year. I just wish we had a top playmaker to give him more shot attempts. He now averages only 16.3 FGA per game which is way too low considering his efficiency.
If Utah finishes (whenever the coaches got to vote) in the top 8 of the West, I think he is in.
fishonjazz
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Agreed. Yet I don't think he gets in
I feel like our team had more hype last year
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The hype is heating up.
It is still an uphill battle though, but I agree with what Cy said. If we are firmly in the mix then media and coaches will help him.
Last year around Christmas we made a concerted effort to give him the ball more and that also boosted his campaign. But that wont happen now that we are clicking and winning.
Peter_Mentor
Active Member
I agree that his overall defense has improved. However, last season Lauri played more as a primary defender against the league's elite 3s and he was actually pretty decent in that role. The sample size is smaller this year, but it seems that Lauri has had more challenges to stay in front against the quicker wings.
During the last 10 games I have seen perhaps the best passes of Lauri's career. The improved chemistry plays a huge role, but the timing of those lob and wrap around passes to Kessler and Collins has really been on point. Last season, Lauri's best option was always to take his own shot from the drive. Firstly, because he was that damn efficient. Secondly, his passes were constantly too telegraphed.
Yes, he likely is. His passing has improved and due to his improved status (MIP, allstar, etc.) this year should be harder for him, BUT that probably opens up more opportunities for others on the team. JC (Clakson) has been on fire (scoring+passing), Sexton pretty much also. The other JC (Collins) has been pretty consistent in recent games also. Fontecchio and Dunn might not be starters on all the other NBA teams, but they sure do well in Utah (both play pretty important roles in defense and Fontecchio is a solid 3-point option (even if his numbers slightly dropped in recent games). Having the players like Olynyk, Clarkson, Kessler come of the bench makes for a very strong 2nd unit. Keyonte's still young, but getting there soon and Agbaji is a plus player also.
If we keep winning he will get in. If we drop off and dont look like a playoff team he wont make it. There is a lot of guys with good stats and teams ahead of us. He is the 13th highest scorer per game in the West. So it could be a little rough and he is likely overlooked if we dont make some noise over the next month, which I think we are and will keep on doin.