Hanno Möttölä describes how “everyone” has wondered if Lauri Markkanen will ever reach the NBA All-Star Game. However, according to Möttölä, Markkanen has now risen to the status of a superstar.
The first NBA player in Finnish history Hanno Möttölä woke up in the morning to wonderful news. Lauri from Markkase had become the first Finnish and Nordic player in the star game of the world’s toughest basketball league.
The choice was close last week when the opening five were announced. Markkanen’s selection was sealed Finnish time on Friday, when the substitute players voted by the coaches were announced.
– I already had time to send Lauri a congratulatory message. After all, this is a wonderful thing for Lauri and also in the big picture for Finnish basketball, Möttölä stated in ‘s morning.
Möttölä saw great significance in the selection of Markkanen for the star game.
– This elevates Lauri to superstar status. This is of course the result of Lauri’s own wonderful season. At the same time, thanks must be given to Utah’s head coach For Will Hardy and for the entire organization. They saw in Lauri what we have seen for years, Möttölä, who is now part of the coaching ladder of the Finnish men’s national team, said directly without embellishment.
Markkanen’s incredible streak started in the fall at the European Championships, where the blonde from Jyväskylä dominated the floor and led Finland to the top eight. Markkanen was one of the best basket makers at the Games.
Markkanen was traded to Utah just before the start of the European Championships.
– From Utah, there has been a lot of praise for the Finnish team and the way they saw Lauri play in the European Championships. This brings a lot of credit to the way in which Finland approaches basketball and helps players to the world, says Möttölä.
Möttölä estimates that Markkanen is currently among the 15-20 best players in the NBA.
– Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. The competition that Lauri has had to go through to play in the NBA is really tough. Still among the best in the NBA. It requires a lot of successes and failures, Möttölä estimates.
The 25-year-old Markkanen’s road to where he is now has been a long one. The career started off great in Chicago, but then there have been setbacks. However, now there has been a breakthrough into the league’s elite in the sixth season and third club.
– Surely each of us has had thoughts over the past few years about whether Lauri will become an All Star player. There has been potential, but the place may not have been right. The coaching may not have played correctly. Lauri has also had injuries. Everything has turned quickly towards perfection, Möttölä continues frankly.
Möttölä believes that Markkanen’s praise does not end there.
– Now the goal must be to be selected for next year’s all-star game. After the season, you also have to get into the league’s top five. Lauri doesn’t stop there, Möttölä states.