It is difficult for Lauri Markkase to make it to the star game for the second time in a row. There are many reasons for the special situation, writes Urheilu’s Roope Visuri.
Roope Visuriruheluth reporter
Lauri Markkanen is barely fitting into the NBA’s all-star game, even though the King of Pohjolan has scored points almost as fast as last season.
Utah has also won roughly the same amount of games as last season at this time of the year.
Markkanen would earn a place in the prestigious star game for the second time in a row. Still, it’s very difficult for a Finn to join, when the replacement players are announced early Friday, Finnish time.
The voting of the starting five already spoke of its harsh language. Markkanen was one of the frontcourt players of the Western Conference only 13th in the votingwhen he last year was fourth. At that time, Markkanen became one of the three frontcourt players in the starting five, when players from the front were withdrawn due to injuries.
The starting five are formed based on votes from fans, players and the media. Their appreciation for Markka has dropped drastically. The coaches choose the substitutes, but the first vote already gave a dull direction.
Why wouldn’t Markkanen fit?
The star players of the Western Conference have been almost healthy. At the same time, stardom has grown even more.
A superstar already voted into the starting five Kevin Durant has moved to the Western Conference. So the number of competitors has increased.
There are three to five substitute player spots left for the star game, probably four for the players in Markkanen’s spot.
Two of these places are already very certain: the Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis.
So Markkanen is competing for two spots, either the one remaining direct substitute spot or the wild card spot.
Three categories of people
Along with Markkanen, there are seven other reasonably equal players fighting for the two spots. So the competition is really tight.
Markskas is supported by his efficiency readings. In addition, Utah is a significantly better team with Markkanen playing than without the Finn.
Markkanen’s competitors and those who came first in the starting five voting can be divided into three different categories.
Los Angeles Clippers Paul Georgeof the Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonisof Minnesota Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns are all players whose team success is better than Markkanen’s Utah. In addition, their individual statistics are not significantly weaker than Markka’s except for Gobert, but the French tower is still the best basket protectors in the league on the defensive end.
of Houston Alperen Şengün is, on the other hand, in a somewhat similar situation to Markkanen last season. The Turkish center, who is playing in his third season, has taken a handsome leap forward. However, the team’s success has frozen like last season’s Utah.
The third category is the hyped super newcomers Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Neither of them should go ahead of Markkanen in the voting yet, but this tells about Utah’s and Markkanen’s tough situation in the NBA market. The duo has received significantly more visibility and praise than Markkanen.
Now Markkanen doesn’t get the same marketing leverage as last year, when the star weekend was organized in Utah’s home arena in Salt Lake City.
The most likely thing is that Markkanen will barely be out of the star game this time, because the level is extremely tough. In the above-mentioned first category, you can find the necessary number of names ahead of Markkanen.
At least Markkanen has not improved his positions during the last week, when the coaches have been able to vote for substitute players.
Utah has been losing its games badly. The team’s honeymoon with the new fives seems to have ended during the six-game away tour.
Suomalaistahti’s performances have not been flattering either. Markkanes has seen his weakest games of the season both offensively and defensively.
As a whole, the Utah team seemed tired, especially at the end of the away tour. The vices of the beginning of the season, poor team defense and attacking alone in attack, little movement of the ball by the backs, rose to the surface again.
Perhaps the NBA’s transfer deadline, which is expected in a week, will affect the team’s actions, but the players will have to raise their level again if Utah wants to make the playoffs.