“When healthy, he is one of the NBA’s elite players”

“If the mountain does not come to Muhammad, Muhammad will go to the mountain” said the philosopher Francis Bacon once.

Suomalaisvuori Lauri Markkanen has drawn quite a prophet to him, because the training of the Susijeng, which is preparing for the World Cup finals in basketball, was personally watched by the head coach of Markkanen’s NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers JB Bickerstaff.

Markkanen hasn’t made it to Cleveland in a couple of months because of his national team commitments.

– We came to see how he is doing. It is important to keep in touch and develop our relationship, Bickerstaff told Urheilu.

– Lauri looks good. He must have gained more muscle in a couple of months. He’s clearly gone to the pound.

Markkanen’s crumpling in the World Cup qualifiers and September’s European Championship does not bother the NBA coach.

– From our point of view, the players who participate in these games often get a really good start to the season. They are in good shape and have played more five-on-five baskets. National team games help Markkas, but also Cleveland.

Markkanen played the 2021-2022 season with a point average of 14.8, even though he was planted in a new position as a small winger. The point average is the best for a Finn since the 2018–19 season, when Markkanen played for the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavaliers finished eighth in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and did not make the playoffs.

The Finn’s plus-minus statistic of 2.8 in the finished season was the first time in Markkanen’s NBA career that he was on the plus side. According to Bickerstaff, Markkanen adapted well to his new role in his first season with the Cavaliers.

– Last season was great. Our team took big steps and grew. Lauri had a lot to do with it. We played him a lot as a small winger. We asked him to guard some tough names like James Harden, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid against and he answered the cry.

– Lauri showed himself what he is capable of and gave us the opportunity to do many different things because of his versatility.

Bickerstaff praises Markkanen’s ability to throw the ball and spread the game. In addition, the native of Jyväskylä can guard several different playing positions. According to Markkanen, Bickerstaff doesn’t need to perform miracles to get to the next level.

– He just has to play. Lauri has had ups and downs with injuries. He has proven that when he is healthy, he is one of the elite players in our league. He needs to focus on body maintenance, but we are all aware of what he is capable of.

The Cavaliers pilot also highlights Markkanen’s personality.

– Whenever you work with him, it’s a good day.

Bickerstaff says that the calm and quiet Finn fits well with the team and does not shy away from others.

– He is not one of those men who needs to be the center of attention. Lauri is a team player. Other players like him and talking to him.

European basketball is significantly different from NBA floors. Bickerstaff says that he followed a few games here with interest.

– I have observed different patterns of play and the use of players. For example, Lauri is able to play more ball here and start attacks. We will take advantage of that at home in Cleveland. We let Markkanen bring the ball up, pass and also bring us to attack, Bickerstaff plans.

In July, Susijengi won its own World Cup qualifying group and advanced to the further qualifying, in the opening games of which it will face Israel on Thursday in Tampere and Estonia on Sunday. The qualifiers will be played in November and February. Finland will also face Germany in the further qualification. All countries play each other twice.

The European Basketball Championships will be played from September 1. The NBA Regular Season starts at the end of October.