You keep waiting for the slump — for reality to slap Markkanen in the face, to remind him how he disappointed with the Chicago Bulls, that he never hinted he could survive as the No. 1 option.
It appears you can stop waiting. Markkanen keeps doing this, keeps looking self-assured even as defenses throw everything at him. He is averaging 24.5 points on better than 50-40 shooting — including a mammoth 61% on 2s. Over his last 11 games, Markkanen has poured in 30.5 points and gotten to the line almost nine times per game. He has (at worst) a very strong All-Star case. He might be a lock. Utah is plus-5 per 100 possessions with Markkanen on the floor and minus-6.8 when he sits. He is the keystone of a strange roster constructed ad hoc from the remnants of mega-trades.
Marrkanen’s game has bloomed outward from the threat of his 3-pointer off pindowns, pick-and-pops, and other sets; after his jumper floundered early in his career, Markkanen is above 40% from deep for the second time in three seasons.
Switch those actions, and Markkanen can mash smaller guys in the post; Utah has averaged 1.2 points directly out of Markkanen post-ups — 10th among 83 players with at least 20 post touches, per Second Spectrum. He twirls into quick baseline moves, and uses his long arms to flick the ball in from odd angles:
If Markkanen sees the switch coming, he’ll spin and pivot under it — burrowing inside for layups:
His face-up game might be even better, and he has variations for defenders of any size: power moves against small guys, finesse against behemoths. Markkanen has scored 1.27 points out of isolations — No. 1 among players with at least 60 isos, per Second Spectrum.
He is grinding on defense, too. Playing small forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers helped Markkanen learn to slide his feet against faster guys — handy for switches:
He’ll sometimes guard centers, and has improved going vertical to protect the rim.
Utah traded two All-Stars and already found a new one.
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***1. Lauri Markkanen is doing everything***
You keep waiting for the slump — for reality to slap Markkanen in the face, to remind him how he disappointed with the Chicago Bulls, that he never hinted he could survive as the No. 1 option.
It appears you can stop waiting. Markkanen keeps doing this, keeps looking self-assured even as defenses throw everything at him. He is averaging 24.5 points on better than 50-40 shooting — including a mammoth 61% on 2s. Over his last 11 games, Markkanen has poured in 30.5 points and gotten to the line almost nine times per game. He has (at worst) a very strong All-Star case. He might be a lock. Utah is plus-5 per 100 possessions with Markkanen on the floor and minus-6.8 when he sits. He is the keystone of a strange roster constructed ad hoc from the remnants of mega-trades.
Marrkanen’s game has bloomed outward from the threat of his 3-pointer off pindowns, pick-and-pops, and other sets; after his jumper floundered early in his career, Markkanen is above 40% from deep for the second time in three seasons.
Switch those actions, and Markkanen can mash smaller guys in the post; Utah has averaged 1.2 points directly out of Markkanen post-ups — 10th among 83 players with at least 20 post touches, per Second Spectrum. He twirls into quick baseline moves, and uses his long arms to flick the ball in from odd angles:
If Markkanen sees the switch coming, he’ll spin and pivot under it — burrowing inside for layups:
His face-up game might be even better, and he has variations for defenders of any size: power moves against small guys, finesse against behemoths. Markkanen has scored 1.27 points out of isolations — No. 1 among players with at least 60 isos, per Second Spectrum.
He is grinding on defense, too. Playing small forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers helped Markkanen learn to slide his feet against faster guys — handy for switches:
He’ll sometimes guard centers, and has improved going vertical to protect the rim.
Utah traded two All-Stars and already found a new one.