The NBA stars are gathered in Utah – and Lauri Markkanen belongs to the lyres in the strongest spotlight. I always go in with the attitude that I am the best on the field, says the Finn to Yle.
Playing with the biggest stars in an all star match has been a goal.
It is something that Lauri Markkanen repeated ahead of the weekend when the dream is fulfilled. This weekend, the eyes of the basketball world are on Salt Lake City, at Markkanen’s home arena, where the all-star weekend takes place, with the Finn as one of the poster names.
This after a dream winter, where most things went well for him in the new club Utah Jazz. The reason for the success is spelled confidence.
– Nowadays, I can tell after every throw that the ball will find its way in. The feeling remains even if you miss your first seven attempts at three-pointers.
– I have also worked a lot on the mental side for this, Markkanen tells Yle Sports.
The coach’s early words meant a lot: “Given incredible boost”
The past six months have been eventful for Jyväskyläsonen.
The day before the EC, he learned of a shock move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to Utah. In the EC, he was a great success – and then he took the NBA by storm.
Markkanen thanks 35-year-old Utah coach Will Hardy for continuing the flow.
– He urged me to play the same way in Jazz as I did with the national team in the EC. It gave an incredible boost.
– Right from the first training I wanted to find my place in the team. The coaches and teammates have helped a lot, because they accept our way of playing, says the 25-year-old about his sensational form.
Under new coach Will Hardy’s leadership, Markkanen has taken big steps forward.
Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz, NBA
Before the all-star break, he is averaging 24.9 points per game, with brilliant shooting percentages.
– Fortunately, we have several players who can win games for us, I don’t have to be the best in every game. But I always play with the attitude that I am the best on the pitch.
No final place in Saturday’s competition
This weekend is full of interviews and PR assignments for Markkanen and the other star names gathered. Dallas profile Luka Doncic has not missed Markkanen’s big breakthrough.
– He is a very good player, which he has shown this season. He has taken big steps forward, even though he was good before as well, says the Slovenian to Yle.
On site during the star weekend are Markkanen’s father Pekka, mother Riikka and older brothers Miikka and Eero.
Pekka Markkanen has had to watch his son rush from one place to another with a tight timetable.
– He hasn’t even had time to sleep very much. It’s an incredible uproar! But he is happy, the father describes.
On Saturday, Lauri Markkanen participated in the three-point competition. There was no final place there. Markkanen accounted for 20 points, while the winner Damian Lillard accounted for 26 points in both the qualifying round and the final, where the top three of the qualifiers had to throw.
On Sunday night Finnish time, the big highlight awaits. Markkanen belongs to the opening players in the all star battle. The teams are picked by captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo before the start of the game.
