At the start of the week, the NBA continues its distribution of individual trophies of the season, awarding that of ” Most Improved Player 2023. A distinction won this year by Lauri Markkanenwho thus succeeds Ja Morant.
Preferred to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson, the Finn went in the space of a year from 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds (in 31 minutes) with the Cavaliers, to 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds (in 34 minutes) with the Jazz. His percentages have also increased, from 45% shooting (including 36% 3-pointers) and 87% throwing, to 50% shooting (including 39% 3-pointers) and 88% throwing.
A just reward that looks like great revenge for Lauri Markkanen, who became All-Star for the very first time in February, after having had four complicated seasons with the Bulls at the end of his Draft in 7th position in 2017. His progress in scoring year on year (+10.8 points) is incidentally the highest in the league, ahead of Trey Murphy III (+9.1 points), while the “Finnisher” is only the 7th non-American player to win this title , after Gheorghe Muresan (1996), Boris Diaw (2006), Hedo Turkoglu (2008), Goran Dragic (2014), Giannis Antetokounmpo (2017) and Pascal Siakam (2019).
For the little anecdote, note that the strong winger of Utah won this prize at the very moment when he was performing… his military service!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffBneVBx8NA
| 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.
