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The Utah Jazz's 2022-2023 season has gotten off to a great start (7-3), and Lauri Markkanen has been a big part of this.
After five years in the NBA, it seems the Finnish big man has found his place in the league. After just 10 games, Lauri Markkanen is playing at an elite level. His role is crucial to the team's playing style.
The young forward has appeared in all 10 games so far. He is averaging 22.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Before this, Markkanen never scored more than 18.7 points per game in an NBA season.
Lauri Markkanen is coming off a 27-point, (season-best) 13-rebound performance in the Jazz's road win versus the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday (130-116).
"I think Lauri does a lot of things that show up in the stat sheet, and he does a lot of things that don't," first-year Jazz coach Will Hardy said prior to Sunday's game versus the Clippers on Sunday. "His defense probably isn't talked about enough."
"He's an All-Star," Beasley told reporters after Utah's win over the Memphis Grizzlies last week, where Markkanen finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and two assists.
Lauri Markkanen does everything on the floor and is a great fit for the Jazz
In his first season with the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen is playing with a high level of confidence. He is doing pretty much everything on the floor, from scoring to protecting the rim and making extra passes.
Being a 7-footer also helps him create a lot of mismatches and get his own shot or search to pass the ball for an open shot.
What makes him crucial to the Jazz's playing style is that he has many ways to score, including turnaround jumpers, spot-up shooting, attacking closeouts, and catching the ball on the move to make the layup.
What has certainly helped Lauri Markkanen elevate his game this year and make such an impressive start to the season is his participation in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket in September.
Markkanen was Finland's leader. He led his squad to the quarter-finals for the first time in national team history. Finland finished in seventh place in the tournament, after losing to European champions Spain in the quarter-finals.
The young big man averaged 27.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and a PIR of 30.4, on 61.5% from the field and 40.5% from beyond the arc.
“I think having that experience this summer, coming in confident, I think I showed, yes, to you guys, but even to myself, that I can do all that stuff,” Markkanen told Yahoo Sports. “I was the guy this summer. And carrying that over [to Utah], we’ve got a lineup where everybody can do a little bit of everything. But mind-set wise, I’m trying to have that same approach.”
Lauri Markkanen aims to maintain his hot start and further improve his game. He is currently working on improving his three-point shooting, which is at 29.3% so far.
If he achieves this, it will be even more difficult for opponents to guard him. It will certainly add another dimension to his game.
Lauri Markkanen would also welcome a first-ever appearance in the All-Star Game, which would be special for him and the Jazz since it will take place in Salt Lake City in February of 2023.
