Until a few months ago, Lauri Markkanen it seemed destined to be remembered as one of many large projects which, for various reasons, never end up delivering what they promised. However, the story of the Finn in nba gave a Back from trade to Utah Jazzon a climb crowned with the award for Most Improved Player of 2022-2023.
After three seasons (two in Chicago and one in Cleveland) in which he was average between 13 and 14 pointsMarkkanen had All-Star numbers and production (was, for the first time in his career) with Utah: 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 50% from the fieldfor a Salt Lake City team that fight for the playoffs for much of the year, even when all forecasts had them at the bottom of the West.
In many cases, all a talented player like Markkanen needs is to have one opportunity and a scenario that suits your needs. It is clear that the European did not have it in a Chicago, where there were always other figures in front of him, nor in Cleveland, where he was completely supporting actor in a row with two other quality interiors such as Mobley and Allen.
However, the After Gobert and Mitchell left Utah was able to give him that leadership position he never had in his NBA career (yes with Finland, in FIBA basketball) and the rest was at the expense of a Markkanen he knew make the most of this opportunity.
In many cases, the NBA tends to lure its players into a certain role. And in Markkanen’s case, that was a 3-4 shooter without the ability to make much of a possession. In his three previous campaigns, he always tried more triple than doublebut that changed completely in 2022-2023: it had an average 9.6 doubles per game (vs. 7.7 triples), when it had never exceeded 5.5 in the previous years reported.
Utah out of necessity and without pressure gave it to him free rein to a player who had much more to give than what he had shown in the NBA. no longer only as a shooter clearly peripheral, but as a talent capable of being main target of an attack. From the low post, attacking from distance or even creating from the pick and roll.
Everything that ever led Markkanen to be a pick 7 in the 2017 draftit finally came to light in 2022-2023, in which it became just the third seven footer (2.13 height) to average 25 points from 2010 onwards. The others? Two MVP level superstars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its organizations.
I am a sports journalist who has been writing for a news website since 2015. My work primarily focuses on sports news, but I have also written about other topics such as technology and the arts. I have an extensive background in journalism, having worked as a reporter for a local newspaper before moving to a news website.
Denver Nuggets announced Nikola Jokic He will miss at least four weeks due to a left knee injury.
Star center was diagnosed with left knee hyperextension. At the same time, tests confirmed that the three-time NBA MVP’s knee ligaments remained intact.
Jokic was injured in the final seconds of the first half of the 123-147 loss to the Miami Heat and limped heavily on his way to the locker room. He did not return to the site after a long time.
Before his injury, Nikola managed to produce 21 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds in just 19 minutes on the field.
Losing Jokic could be a big blow for Denver, as starters Christian Braun (ankle injury), Aaron Gordon (hip issue) and Cam Johnson (knee injury) remain sidelined.
Jokic averaged 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game this season.
Injury Update: Nikola Jokić suffered a Hyperextension injury in his Left Knee in last night’s match against Miami Heat. Nikola will be re-evaluated in four weeks. pic.twitter.com/NIDmlKAN81
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
11 games were played in the NBA regular season on the night of December 29-30.
Miami hosted Denver and earned a landslide victory.
The home team was ahead by 12 points with 41:29 to play in the first quarter, but the Nuggets were able to slowly win back in the second quarter. The teams entered a long break with the score tied at 63:63. The decisive factor in the match was the third quarter, when the Heat made an 11:0 move and led by 15 points at 84:69. After that the home team completely controlled the course of the game and only increased their advantage, achieving a crushing victory – 147:123.
The most productive player of the match was Powell, who brought 25 points to Miami, while Jaques (20 points + 11 assists) and Adebayo had double-doubles with 13 points + 10 rebounds.
San Antonio hosted Cleveland and suffered a sensational defeat.
Three-quarters of the meeting was fought evenly, with the teams responding to each other’s pushes with their own pushes and often staying within a shot or two of each other. That changed in the fourth quarter, as the Cavaliers went on a 15-2 run to take a 10-point lead, 94-84. They then maintained their advantage and won with a score of 113:101.
Cleveland’s main hero in this game was Allen, who had a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Garland can achieve the same success with 15 points and 11 assists.
Toronto beat Orlando at home.
Magic started the match better and made a 14:2 move at the start. Afterwards, they took control of the course of the game and increased the advantage completely to +21 – 51:30 in the second 12 minutes. After that, the home team slowly started to close the gap and entered the long break with a score of 11-11 at 54:65. The third quarter was tied, so Orlando still had a double-digit advantage ahead of the final: 94:84. At the beginning of the match the play followed the same scenario but in the middle Toronto made a move with 15:0 and not only won it back but also took the lead with 105:102. The fate of the game was decided by Barnes’ free throws, which set the score at 107:106 with 1 minute and 27 seconds left in the quarter.
Barnes could not make a triple-double this time, but he did a double-double and got 13 points and 11 rebounds, while the most productive name in the victory was Shead with 19 points.
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo He gave a harsh response to the question about a possible trade to another NBA club:
“I’m here. Don’t ask me that question. It’s disrespectful to me and my teammates. I wear this jersey every day.
To say I don’t want to be here is disrespectful to the organization, the coaching staff, myself and everyone who worked hard to get me on the field. Don’t ask me this question. I am her. I’m going out in this uniform. And as long as I’m here, I’ll give it my all until the last second of the match.”
On the night of December 27-28, Antetokounmpo returned to the field after his calf muscle injury and became the most productive player of the game with the Chicago Bulls – 112:103.
I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.
