Lauri Markkanen - Utahin Marsalkka: All-NBA Snub

[Dr No]

Its always amazing how middle of the road NBA players look against inferior competition.

And Laurie's game fits Europe/international ball. He's a good NBA player, but he would likely be the EuroLeague MVP.

 

[macbdog]

So this is what Dragan Bender is doing these days!

Still bummed a guy with that awesome of a name didn't become at least a solid NBA player.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Its always amazing how middle of the road NBA players look against inferior competition.

It's amazing that someone would consider Markkanen middle of the road. I guess it depends on how you define middle of the road, but he was near the top 100 in PER (106). He's in the top 25% of all NBA players overall as there are 450+ NBA players. #96 in the NBA in scoring per game. 581 players registered for stats last year in the NBA. So Lauri is in the top 20% of NBA players in several metrics.

Unless you're referring to Dragan - then I digress. Lauri is certainly not elite but he's also not middle of the road. Statistically last year, Isaac Okoro was middle of the road for NBA players. So was Gary Harris, Horton-Tucker, and Justin Holiday. Those guys are middle of the road for the NBA. Lauri is in the top 1/4 of players but he's not near the elite level.

 

[Heat Check]

Its always amazing how middle of the road NBA players look against inferior competition.

Wait, who's the middle of the road NBA player in this scenario and who's the inferior competition? I'm confused.

Croatia has two current NBA starters (Bogdanovic and Zubac), two ex-NBA guys (Hezonja and Bender) and a very likely 2023 FRP (Prkacin).

 

[adam81king]

Still bummed a guy with that awesome of a name didn't become at least a solid NBA player.

I still think had he had a different mentality (more dawg in him) he'd be an NBA player. I think hes one of those guys that's fine playing overseas. And, he still could be one. He's only 24yrs old right now.

 

[mds]

Wait, who's the middle of the road NBA player in this scenario and who's the inferior competition? I'm confused.

Croatia has two current NBA starters (Bogdanovic and Zubac), two ex-NBA guys (Hezonja and Bender) and a very likely 2023 FRP (Prkacin).

i was referring to Lauri as middle of the road. Lost his starting spot in Chicago, played well for us. Good starter but not a star. 4th or 5th option on most NBA teams. He looks like a star in euro ball.

 

[Randolphkeys]

i was referring to Lauri as middle of the road. Lost his starting spot in Chicago, played well for us. Good starter but not a star. 4th or 5th option on most NBA teams. He looks like a star in euro ball.

I thought Anthony Parker was the greatest Euroleague player of his era, and 4th or 5th option ended up his perfect role in Toronto and Cleveland.

 

[mds]

I thought Anthony Parker was the greatest Euroleague player of his era, and 4th or 5th option ended up his perfect role in Toronto and Cleveland.

I like Lauri(bear down), but he’s a basically a role player thus far. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[mds]

.

 

[Heat Check]

I like Lauri(bear down), but he’s a basically a role player thus far. Nothing wrong with that.

Sure.

I just think it's amusing how people have something of a knee-jerk reaction to any type of competition outside of the NBA and label it as "inferior", while utterly meaningless Summer League performances are analyzed with a microscope.

These days, Euro national teams often have lots of NBA experience, and some can even field a 100% NBA starting lineup. Obviously the vast majority of competition outside of the League IS clearly inferior, but that Croatia team alone would beat any Summer League squad by 80 points while not breaking much of a sweat.

 

[Mr. MacPhisto]

i was referring to Lauri as middle of the road. Lost his starting spot in Chicago, played well for us. Good starter but not a star. 4th or 5th option on most NBA teams. He looks like a star in euro ball.

Is a good starter middle of the road? I think middle of the road is the 7th to 9th guy on the roster. Lauri would be top 6 for most NBA teams.

 

[mds]

Sure.

I just think it's amusing how people have something of a knee-jerk reaction to any type of competition outside of the NBA and label it as "inferior", while utterly meaningless Summer League performances are analyzed with a microscope.

These days, Euro national teams often have lots of NBA experience, and some can even field a 100% NBA starting lineup. Obviously the vast majority of competition outside of the League IS clearly inferior, but that Croatia team alone would beat any Summer League squad by 80 points while not breaking much of a sweat.

SL is a total shit show. I've gone to it a dozen times. Its truly baffling basketball, haha.

I wasn't comparing euro ball to Summer League, I was saying the competition is inferior to the NBA and as evidence: Lauri Markennen looks like a superstar in that league. Is this point really that controversial?

 

[mds]

Is a good starter middle of the road? I think middle of the road is the 7th to 9th guy on the roster. Lauri would be top 6 for most NBA teams.

I guess to me 1/4 to 1/3 of the league has zero or very little impact on the game at all so I don't even really consider that when I think of what in my head is a 'mid level' player. If a team plays 9 or 10 guys then the 5th guy is middle. Again, is this really that controversial of a statement? I guess its summer and people need something to argue about.

 

[foucault87]

I guess to me 1/4 to 1/3 of the league has zero or very little impact on the game at all so I don't even really consider that when I think of what in my head is a 'mid level' player. If a team plays 9 or 10 guys then the 5th guy is middle. Again, is this really that controversial of a statement? I guess its summer and people need something to argue about.

Look, if you arent an All-star or All-defensive player, you are middle of the road. Pretty straightfoward.

 

[Mr. Magic]

Problems ahead sir @Sebastian .. Our prime minister goes hotter day by day and Lauri is slowly forgetting noble gent Mannerheim. Is there something we can do?