Lauri Markkanen - Utahin Marsalkka: All-NBA Snub

[Sebastian]

Man, this sucks.

After 4 years of force watching unlikeable Bulls, this Cavs team was a dream to watch. Likeable players and playing style, promising future etc. Just to get traded to probably the worst team in the league after one year. I don't know, I think I will uncork a bottle of Marskin ryyppy (Marshal's drink) and drown my sorrows.

Thanks Cavs fans and congratulations for getting another superstar.

I hope you will stick around! Or at least drop by every so often.

RCF is a special place and is much more than just basketball!

It can continue to serve as a window into US sport, culture and politics.

Our Finnish fans have been a great and wonderful part of RCF this past year.

 

[Pentele]

This is all my fault. After lurking here for a year I finally decided to make an account and Lauri gets traded almost immediately. What a time to make the first post, eh?

After frustrating Chicago years, it was a joy watching Lauri play in a group that (a) was young and interesting, (b) competed every night, and (c) in which Lauri seemed to felt comfortable playing despite having to adapt to a new situation. Now I feel sorry for Lauri because he is eyeing another string of non-competitive seasons in a rebuilding team. That team is not gonna be easy to watch so I guess I keep watching the Cavs as well. Hopefully Lauri gets traded again before the season starts but I do not actually believe it. Even if Utah is tanking, they still need to fill the team with players they can somehow sell to the home crowd. Lauri is fresh enough for "we have a team that is young and hungry" narrative. In any case, getting bounced around cannot be good for a player's psyche, notwithstanding all the talk that it is business after all.

I had the opportunity to see Lauri play in Finland this summer and the reports are true: Lauri is quicker and slimmer but I do not think he has lost core strength, perhaps the opposite (this shows, for example, in how he now jumps quicker the second time after rebounding the ball/making a shot attempt near the basket). I think his fit with the Cavs would have been a lot better this season, and that would have been great news for the Cavs. Time will tell how Mitchell fits but there is no denying that the team has an awful lot of talent. I think we can expect players to figure it out.

 

[Sebastian]

This is all my fault. After lurking here for a year I finally decided to make an account and Lauri gets traded almost immediately. What a time to make the first post, eh?

After frustrating Chicago years, it was a joy watching Lauri play in a group that (a) was young and interesting, (b) competed every night, and (c) in which Lauri seemed to felt comfortable playing despite having to adapt to a new situation. Now I feel sorry for Lauri because he is eyeing another string of non-competitive seasons in a rebuilding team. That team is not gonna be easy to watch so I guess I keep watching the Cavs as well. Hopefully Lauri gets traded again before the season starts but I do not actually believe it. Even if Utah is tanking, they still need to fill the team with players they can somehow sell to the home crowd. Lauri is fresh enough for "we have a team that is young and hungry" narrative. In any case, getting bounced around cannot be good for a player's psyche, notwithstanding all the talk that it is business after all.

I had the opportunity to see Lauri play in Finland this summer and the reports are true: Lauri is quicker and slimmer but I do not think he has lost core strength, perhaps the opposite (this shows, for example, in how he now jumps quicker the second time after rebounding the ball/making a shot attempt near the basket). I think his fit with the Cavs would have been a lot better this season, and that would have been great news for the Cavs. Time will tell how Mitchell fits but there is no denying that the team has an awful lot of talent. I think we can expect players to figure it out.

Oh no!

Wow, you aren't kidding about timing!

Well, we would love to have you stay with us!

We would love if all our Finnish friends stay with us!

We can still do our weekly Mannerheim check to see if the Marshal approves of Lauri's play!

 

[Jscc]

Really wish we had found a way to keep him. Why not send LeVert or bring in a third team to take LeVert? Dallas would have.

 

[Dunkqvist]

Really wish we had found a way to keep him. Why not send LeVert or bring in a third team to take LeVert? Dallas would have.

I guess Levert and Love as expiring contracts are nice assets if/when Cavs want to trade for the missing piece (Star SF).

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Man, this sucks.

After 4 years of force watching unlikeable Bulls, this Cavs team was a dream to watch. Likeable players and playing style, promising future etc. Just to get traded to probably the worst team in the league after one year. I don't know, I think I will uncork a bottle of Marskin ryyppy (Marshal's drink) and drown my sorrows.

Thanks Cavs fans and congratulations for getting another superstar.

You guys are awesome, high IQ fans. Probably high IQ people as well.

Sad to see him go. Really.

 

[DingleDong]

So basically what happened here is that Lauri played his way out of Cleveland. Talks about Mitchell have been going on for weeks now and nothing has happened. Markkanen has 42 point game and suddenly gets traded? Coincident? I dont think so. Considering Utah has been considering Markkanen something to keep on the team while rebuilding. Sucks for Markkanen but 2 more years and he has more freedom to choose where to go.

 

[CavzAddict]

I remember that spark of life he gave us after he came back from his injury when we were struggling in late February. I was one of the few who would ride for him when he got a ton of shit around here. I thought he played to the best of his ability. Often times he was stuck guarding a much quicker SF because of Tower City. I'm really bummed. Out of all of what we gave up, I wish we could've kept him and gave up another piece instead. I will definitely be keeping my eye on him in Utah.

I have a lot of friends in Chicago who were mad that he looked so promising for us compared to his Bulls days. That says a lot about his growth.

 

[The Oi]

Can’t say I’m really concerned about losing Lauri for the quality of a player of Mitchell.

 

[cabs]

I liked the Finish fans I hope they stay even in Lauri's absence, he might be the next LeBron/Delly/Mo/Ricky and return down the line

 

[Mr. Magic]

Our guy went to basketball game day after he was traded from his loved team and did this. Real pro.



It was really fun year to watch Cavs games. What made it even more special was this forum. Thanks for the warm welcome to us Finns. Mannerheim won’t forget. I hope that Cavs have a good year and win it all.

Cheers RCF!

 

[Swuul]

It also means at least one Cavs player will be playing there next year

I have to retract these words. Of course there might still be Cavs player(s) in World Championships next year, but it isn't guaranteed anymore.

So long, and thanks for all the fish. You people have a very nice community right here, keep up the good work

 

[Cavatt]

He's going to be good this year. I hope he fits in Utah

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

Man ima miss Laurie

 

[buzzdog]

I'm sad to see Lauri go, best of luck to him in Utah. I hope his Finnish fans will stick around, we've picked up lots of quality posters here over the years who came following certain players, even after their guy left.