Utah Jazz’s Finnish superstar Lauri Markkanen will start his NBA season on the night between Wednesday and Thursday with a match against the Memphis Grizzlies.
SALT LAKE CITY. Lauri Markkanen the penultimate practices before the opening match of the season are already coming to an end. Training at the Utah Jazz training center has already lasted about three hours at this point.
Jazz head coach Will Hardy is still asking Markkas and the club’s number one reservation from last year, 207 cents, at this stage Taylor Hendricks over to Hardy teaches the duo in more detail how to make room for themselves against smaller opponents. In addition to the assistant coaches, the duo’s sparring partner will include the NBA champion from 10 years ago Patty Millswhich measures 188 centimeters.
Finally, about 30 minutes of extremely physical and detailed training is over. Even before going home, Markkanen heads upstairs to the training center to record the podcast. The jazz superstar’s comments are a sought-after item.
The eighth season of Markkanen’s career in the world’s toughest basketball league starts on the night between Wednesday and Thursday Finnish time with a match against the Memphis Grizzlies. According to the NBA’s standards, the Finn is considered a veteran player, even though he is only 27 years old.
– It’s nice to watch newcomers when you know you’ve been in the same situation. It wasn’t that long ago, but it seems far away now, Markkanen admits in an interview with Urheilu at his home in Salt Lake City.
According to Markkanen, there is tension before the game, but the tension disappears when the game starts.
– You can enjoy yourself on the field. However, the work has already been done.
Markkanen wants to bring a new dimension to his game
The essence of the Jyväskylä native reveals that he has been busy with work during the summer. A lot of time has been spent in the boxing gym, and Markkanen looks faster on the floor than last year. In addition, the throw finds the right address in the same way as before.
Markkanen must be ready for the season’s challenges. The mammoth extension contract with Jazz, signed at the latest in August, raises the Finnish appreciation to a new level. Now Markkanen is definitively the game and spiritual leader of Jazz.
– I was already responsible last season, although the roles are clearer these days. Now the situation is more that even if it’s a bad day, you still have to set an example and lead the team. I am going to enjoy the challenge and strive to develop myself, Markkanen’s line.
In the current position, all eyes are on Markkasen all the time. His every move on the field is watched and criticized.
In terms of gameplay, things are also changing. Markkanen believes that in the new season he will be played much more than last year.
Now the coaching management hopes that he will create shooting opportunities not only for himself but also for his teammates. The situation is new for Markkanen.
– It’s something I haven’t really done before. Of course, we have practiced it in the summer, when we have played in training, but the right game situation is still a separate matter, says Markkanen.
According to him, this is something where he wants to develop himself and bring a new dimension to his game.
The best years of jazz lie ahead
Markkanen is the most important piece of Jazz’s rebuilding project, but that work at the club’s office is badly unfinished. Head coach Hardy’s task is to develop the team’s young players forward, so in the pre-season speculations, it is believed that the Jazz will be left out of the playoffs again.
In the experienced guard, along with Markkanen, those known as good basket makers bear the responsibility Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson.
CEO of Jazz Danny Ainge has already proven his ability behind a successful team. He turned the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics into a successful team with bold player moves and roster rotations. Now he should repeat the same trick in Utah.
Markkanen is committed to Jazz with a multi-year contract, and his words show his commitment to the club’s long-term project. The team is good, young and talented, says Markkanen.
– At the training camp, I was positively surprised by how hard the guys competed against each other. There were sometimes bad moments in practice games, but we also showed that the defense was at the level that we could compete against even tough teams.
Last season, Markkanen averaged nearly 24 points and eight rebounds per game. In addition, the Finn sank three-pointers with 40 percent accuracy.
The Finn does not want to reveal his exact goals for the season, but knowing Markkanen’s level of demands, they are certainly high.
You can watch the documentary about Lauri Markkase below: