Andy Larsen, the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper, opens a side of Lauri Markkase on ‘s Uutispodcast that has rarely been covered.
Lauri Markkanen has had the best shot of his career in the world’s best basketball league, the NBA. Markkanen, who moved to the Utah Jazz in the fall, is also looking forward to the all-star game to be played at the beginning of February. Markkanen’s Utah has fared much better than expected this season.
Editor of the Salt Lake Tribune newspaper Andy Larsen reveals a side of Markkase in Ylen’s Uutispodcast, which has been covered less often. Larsen opens up about how fatherhood is seen in Markkase. According to Larsen, Markkanen has asked him for recommendations in Utah during interviews.
– Lauri has a young family, so he wants to know the best schools and the best restaurants and other similar things so that he can live a good life here, Larsen says.
Larsen describes 25-year-old Markkas as one of the few genuine “family people” in the NBA.
– In the NBA, many stars live a star life, go to nightclubs and parties. Lauri is more of a homebody. Lauri is a bit of a geek, says Larsen.
Markkanen has told reporters who follow the Utah Jazz closely, for example, about his Harry Potter enthusiasm.
– He likes to watch Harry Potter movies and generally watches a lot of different movies. Lauri is a normal guy in a way that many NBA stars are not, says Larsen.
Larsen also praises the Utah Jazz’s Finnish number one star’s sense of humor. Markkanen makes Harry Potter jokes in front of reporters. Especially when Utah’s substitute is present Micah Potter.
– Lauri is really funny. Whenever Micah Potter is there, Lauri makes a new Harry Potter joke. Lauri has a pretty good knowledge of the things said in Harry Potter, Larsen says.
A journalist from Utah promises: Markkanen will be seen in the star game
There is currently tension in Finland as to whether one of Markkanen’s dreams will come true. At the beginning of his NBA career, the Suomalaištahtih has already stated that his goal is to get to the NBA All-Star Game.
This year, the all-star game will be played at the Utah Jazz’s home arena. Due to his excellent performances, the Finn has been in the selection speculations of the star match throughout the season.
24 players, 12 players from each conference, can make it to the All-Star Game. Utah plays in the Western Conference, which, in addition to Markkanen, has many other talented stars.
According to Larsen, Finns still don’t have to worry about Markkanen’s choice.
– I don’t doubt at all that Markkas would not be appealed to the star match. I can actually guarantee that he will be elected, says Larsen.
According to Larsen, Markkanen is too good a player to be left out of the star game. The public could vote for their favorites in the star game for a month. Voting closed last Saturday.
The voting asked for the starting five: Two backcourt players playing farther from the basket and three frontcourt players playing closer to the basket. The 213-centimeter Markkanen belongs to the latter category.
In the interim data of the public vote, Markkanen came in seventh as the frontcourt player with the most votes in the Western Conference. The selection of the starting five is influenced by the votes of the fans by 50 percent. The votes of the media and players, on the other hand, account for 25 percent.
Larsen is sure that Markkanen will get to the all-star game at least as a substitute, if not directly in the starting five. Larsen believes that Markkanen is fighting for the third position of the frontcourt player, i.e. even for the position of the starting five. According to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune, the third position of the frontcourt player belongs to either a Lithuanian For Domantas Sabonis or Markkanen.
– If Markkanen is not the third best, he is the fourth best. Six or seven frontcourt players are selected for the star match. It’s not even strict whether Lauri can join. He really should get into the all-star game, Larsen insists.