With their 7th place obtained in Germany, during Eurobasket 2022, the Finns surprised many people, in the wake of an excellent Lauri Markkanen : 27.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 interceptions on average, 54% in shooting (including 41% at 3-pointers) and 91% in throws!
Performances finally in line with those that the strong winger was going to offer with an equally surprising team from Jazz this season, because he averages 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists, 50% in shooting (including 40% at 3-pointers) and 88% in throws. Picking up his first appearance at the All-Star Game and maybe soon the MIP trophy.
Inevitably, when he plays the best basketball of his career, we could logically expect that Lauri Markkanen will be present with the Finland when World Cup 2023 (August 25 to September 10). And, unsurprisingly, the person concerned has already wanted to put an end to all unnecessary suspense in the columns of Hoopshype.
” Yes, I will be there. It was something huge for us, I think we were even the first country to qualify outside of the host countries. This is the first time we have qualified for it. [en 2014, la Finlande avait reçu une invitation, ndlr], so that was really huge for us. I still want to represent my country and I’m already looking forward to it. »
Transformed since the last Eurobasket
In Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, to allow his country to create a surprise once again, Lauri Markkanen will try to do as well as at Eurobasket. A competition which, as he had hoped, had simply seen him change in dimension.
” I am very proud to be able to represent my country, it is always a pleasure to return [en sélection] “, he insists first. ” Everyone increases their level of confidence, because one can come from a franchise where our role is not as important as in the national team. I regained pleasure, I found fun again. I really enjoyed playing for [la Finlande], with the group we had. The Eurobasket combined with the timing of my transfer, which happened [pendant] competition, it kind of pushed me to try and prove myself and then I wanted to have the best year of my career. »
Mission accomplished, then, while Lauri Markkanen was able to rely on his selection experience to better explode in the NBA, after a complicated four-year lease in Chicago and an interesting one-year stint in Cleveland.
” Being the first option in the team and getting all that attention from defenses, still being able to be productive, that really boosted my confidence. “, he admits, regarding his performance during the last Eurobasket. ” It was an extremely competitive tournament. If I’m able to do what I’m doing here [à Utah], there was a mental click. Being able to prove myself and see that I am capable of doing it has boosted my confidence. When I arrived [à Salt Lake City]the coach told me straight away that he wanted me to do everything I did with Finland. »
A formidable standard bearer for basketball in Finland, since he is one of the three Finnish players to have already set foot on an NBA floor (with Hanno Möttöla then Erik Murphy), Lauri Markkanen does not however want to draw all the cover on him at this level.
” It’s always been in progress, it’s not just me responsible “, he judges, about the development of his sport in the country. ” Finnish basketball is also doing great things thanks to the players who are in Europe and I’m not going to take credit for those guys. »
| Lauri Markkanen | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | CHI | 68 | 30 | 43.4 | 36.2 | 84.3 | 1.2 | 6.3 | 7.5 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 15.2 |
| 2018-19 | CHI | 52 | 32 | 43.0 | 36.1 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 7.6 | 9.0 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 18.7 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 50 | 30 | 42.5 | 34.4 | 82.4 | 1.2 | 5.1 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
| 2020-21 | CHI | 51 | 26 | 48.0 | 40.2 | 82.6 | 0.7 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.6 |
| 2021-22 | KEY | 61 | 31 | 44.5 | 35.8 | 86.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 14.8 |
| 2022-23 | UTH | 66 | 34 | 49.9 | 39.1 | 87.5 | 2.0 | 6.7 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 25.6 |
| Total | 348 | 31 | 45.5 | 37.1 | 85.8 | 1.3 | 5.9 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 17.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
