Ranking all 5 Utah Jazz players in the FIBA World Cup by importance
By Chad Porto
1. SF/PF Lauri Markkanen – Team Finland
Everyone we’ve talked about so far on this list has been either a part of the equation or the player these nations have built their teams around. Yet, they all vary differently on their respective national teams and on the Utah Jazz. Jordan Clarkson and Simone Fontecchio are stars for their respective teams, but neither of them are All-Stars in the NBA.
Kelly Olynyk is a necessary part of both Team Canada and the Utah Jazz’s success, but he’s not the focal point on his squad. Walker Kessler is a walking defensive nightmare for a team, but he’s going to be relegated to Mr. Defense on both the Jazz and Team USA this season.
No one, except for Lauri Markkanen, is coming into the FIBA World Cup (from the Utah Jazz) with the expectation that he’ll not only carry his country, Finland but also his NBA team as well. Not only that, but he’ll also be the only NBA-caliber player, that we know of, heading into the tournament.
No other player the Jazz are sending over has that issue. Even Jordan Clarkson has Kai Sotto, an NBA prospect for next year’s draft, ready to break out. Markkanen does not. Sure, one may emerge from the tournament, but Markkanen is going to be a man on his own in this FIBA World Cup.
The importance of Markkanen for Team Finland can’t be understated. Of everyone on Team Finland during EuroBasket, only one, Sasu Salin, averaged double-digits in points. Finland will only go as far as Markkanen can carry them.
Next. 3 young players the Utah Jazz have to develop and 3 players they may need to give up on. dark