For former Chicago Bulls ahead Lauri Markkanen, NBA All-Star Weekend felt like a coming-out get together.
“I’m just soaking it all in,” Markkanen mentioned throughout All-Star media day Saturday. “The experience is definitely a little bit different when you’re actually part of the All-Star Game, but being in your hometown, it feels great. The amount of people that are supporting here, it’s great.”
He produced persistently for the Bulls in his first 4 seasons within the league however by no means lived as much as the hopes of a No. 7 draft choose. After he left Chicago in a commerce to the Cleveland Cavaliers, he suffered a stagnant season heightened by a poor match on the roster.
But issues modified when Markkanen landed in Utah in September as a part of a blockbuster commerce for Donovan Mitchell. Markkanen is averaging 24.9 factors and eight.6 assists whereas taking pictures a career-high 51.3% general and 41.3% from 3-point vary. And the Jazz fan base has embraced the Finnish middle.
Although it took a number of years for Markkanen to make this step up, Mitchell feels his potential was well-known all through the league from the beginning.
“I’ve known Lauri since high school,” Mitchell mentioned. “He’s been this type of player. I think he’s just gotten an opportunity on a national stage where everybody’s getting consistent playing time and playing a consistent role. He’s a hell of a player.”
For Markkanen, it was all a matter of studying by way of hardship. His time in Cleveland was a low level in his profession due to taking part in out of place on the three — however that additionally helped him develop as a shooter, constructing abilities which have fueled his skill to offer a continuing mismatch in Utah.
Markannen’s taking pictures this season has been robust sufficient to earn him a nod within the 3-point contest, competing in opposition to Jayson Tatum and Damian Lillard, amongst different high expertise.
“It’s just the mental preparation and that side of the game,” Markkanen mentioned. “Physically getting better and being able to take advantage of mismatches and the mindset of the game and just seeing different things. From center, power forward, small forward, whatever, I did a lot of different stuff, so I think that’s helped me.”
Hundreds of followers lined as much as meet Markkanen throughout an NBA crossover occasion Friday. Whenever he was launched on the Jumbotron — on the Rising Stars recreation Friday evening, on the open observe Saturday — he was greeted by an overflow of cheers. Markkanen jerseys dotted each avenue as followers milled about downtown Salt Lake City forward of the sport.
For Markkanen, his breakout season has supplied validation and reassurance after the his early struggles.
“It’s not easy every time when you’re having those down moments,” Markkanen mentioned. “But you can’t really stop believing in yourself. It’s easy to start doubting yourself and your skill set when things are not going your way, but you’ve just got to keep going and keep believing the opportunity is going to present itself. And then you’ve got to take it.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com