The J-Notes
Fansided

Lauri Markkanen’s early international play is giving Utah Jazz fans hope that 2022-2023 was no fluke

By Chad Porto

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz, out with injury, gestures from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on March 25, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 25: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz, out with injury, gestures from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on March 25, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images) /
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Lauri Markkanen is hoping to repeat the success of 2022-2023 this upcoming season.

The Utah Jazz nearly played their way into the playoffs in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the club. At one point they were the top team in the West, and no one knew why. It was perplexing. Though, not really, as it was obvious why; the emergence of Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen, dubbed the “Finnisher” (great nickname), broke out in the ’22-’23 season and made his first All-Star team by averaging 25.6 and 8.6 rebounds per game, all while averaging 49.9% from the floor and 39.1% from three. He was super efficient and couldn’t be stopped no matter who he was up against.

The only problem some are having is the fact this is the only time Markkanen has ever shown that type of production. Before the Jazz acquired Markkanen from Cleveland, the Finnish superstar spent time in Cleveland and Chicago putting up good numbers, but never All-Star numbers.

This has led some to be worried that this was a one-year wonder and that he’ll regress in the upcoming season, similar to that of Julius Randle. Randle also broke out after arriving in a new place, after having a solid but unspectacular career prior to being a member of the New York Knicks.

And it seems Markkanen has heard those concerns about a possible regression. The Finnish player is having an off-season. He did a portion of his mandatory stint with the Finnish military and is now further representing his country during the FIBA World Cup.

The Finnish team is in the preparation stage of the competition, and Markkanen has been making the most of his time on the court with his countrymen. So far in wins over Lithuania on Aug. 4 and Estonia on Aug. 9, the Finnisher is averaging 26.5 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, while shooting 52% from the floor. That said, he is not hitting from three right now, only hitting 29% of his shots from three.

Still, against Estonia, he went 10-14, a great line considering the FIBA rules allow defenders far more leeway in how they guard opposing players than the NBA allows. So a strong shooting night in a FIBA game, no matter the opponent, is something to be impressed by.

Next. One Year Later: Grading the Rudy Gobert trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. dark

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