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The Most Unexpected Breakout In NBA History



In his first season in Utah, the Finnish star hasn’t merely discovered a new gear. He’s put together one of the most shocking and impressive mid-career glow-ups in NBA history.

Written & Narrated by: Joseph Casciaro (@JosephCasciaro | Twitter)
Produced & Edited by: Zack Underhill (@ZackUnderhill | Instagram)
Additional Graphics: James Balutan (@jamesbalutan | Instagram)
Thumbnail Design by: Justin Shipley (@shipleysportstudio | Instagram)

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45 Comments

  1. Not really unexpected for me. He’s a baller. He just needed the chance and he never did in other teams.

  2. He's a great scorer this year, but he has been a pretty good scorer for his career. The shooting percentages with increased usage are very impressive, but does he bring anything else to the table? Not being factitious or a hater, I generally am curious. He has no other statistically significant factors to his game. How's the other half of his game (aka defense)?

  3. Its safe to say that Lauri will be the UNANIMOUS MOST IMPROVED PLAYER this season. God bless.

  4. I hope the NBA does not mess up by not giving him the MIP. He went from 14 to 25ppg, and upgraded damn near all of his stats. He also overachieved on a 0 expectation Jazz team. Lets give him his flowers.

  5. It is super rare going from 14 to 25 ppg. Also going from a role player to all star starter and a matchup nightmare. Scaryyyyy. Give him the MIP!

  6. Funny how Lauri and Utah are fairing better than LA when LA supposedly has the GOAT of this generation with another perennial all-star and member of the 75 greatest players with atleast 3 or 4 serviceable veterans like Russell, Schroder, and Beverley. But, I'm sure fans will never run out of excuses to save their king 😂

  7. Jazz might have had a shot if they didn’t tradeConley away before the deadline.
    Since the trade, the jazz are 30th in turnover efficiency.

  8. He just didn't fit in the Bulls system. Even in his rookie season, he is showing signs that he can be a real allstar type of player

  9. I don’t think it’s as crazy as people think. MANY people thought this was what Lauri could be but Boylen ruined him in Chicago. Anyone who saw him in Cleveland knew he still had it too. Love your content but I can’t help but feel like this is a casual take lol

  10. nothing unexcepted abt a top rookie going to a team where he can be the number 1 option nd doing good that is literally the expectation nd anyone who watched lauri knew he would over time

  11. Unexpected…? I knew this guy was a star when he was in Chicago. As a Cavs fan I was wishing they could get him in a trade and was thrilled when they actually did.. Then was pissed when he was part of the package that got Mitchell. I don't know how guys like this are never paid attention to by people claiming to know basketball…..

  12. Got 40 euros in on him winning MIP before the season on 51 to 1 odds. 2000 euro payday getting close…

  13. Just little correction, Markkanen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves not by Bulls

  14. I’m surprised you did not mention the ineptness of Jim Boylan.

    Destroyed the team so bad they actually Fired GarPax.

    He killed Lauris Development.

  15. Lauri was tearing it up at EuroBasket last summer… Hes quickly becoming my second fav player after the Freak

  16. It's always crazy to me how these things seem so obvious to someone from a FANS perspective but the actual people who make money off of this cannot see talent right infront of their eyes. As someone who has followed him previous to his arizona days when he played in finland, all he needed was the ball and to be able to play like he wants. Efficient and unguardable.

  17. Not unexpected at all for people following his career. He just needed a team that would allow him to score and not just shoot 3's. I told Bulls fans they were screwed when they traded him. Bulls used to be a scary young team when he was a rookie but they fucked it up hard with silly trades.

  18. Lauri is a gem. Plus he got 40 mil cap space to find a partner. Fred Van Fleet? Jazz got space and assets to make sh*t happen to compliment LM next season.

  19. Shocking and unexpected? Everyone who have seen 2022 eurobasket know that Lauri stepped up his game.

  20. I’ve been a fan since he was drafted to the Bulls. They never used him right and in almost every 2k association season, he goes back to the Bulls…hmm

  21. I've been following his career for years ( my wife is Finnish) and he has always been this good. He just needed two things; the right coach and time to get his confidence in the NBA. Its especially had to find the confidence as a person coming from another country. What he is now i have been telling friends for years that when he arrives he will be among the best best.

  22. It comes down to work ethic in the gym. Yes there's some ability within that person no doubt, but it just comes back to putting your big boy pants on and going to work and getting better. Michael Jordan used to work on something every season every off-season he would come back a better player and if more NBA players did that, then they would be better, but many players get a big contract and they are set. They don't feel like they need to work hard any more.

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