Lauri Markkanen - Utahin Marsalkka: All-NBA Snub

[CavsFan07]

bump for MVP breakout season

 

[Randolphkeys]

I will be happy if he gives us peak Channing Frye.

 

[catfish]

I will be happy if he gives us peak Channing Frye.

Already can tell that he has much more game than the Channing Frye who was here whose job was to sit at 3 point line and drill wide open jumpers after James and Irving collapsed the defense. I understand that in Chicago one of the issues is they tried to make him sit at the 3 point line and that adversely affected his game.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Already can tell that he has much more game than the Channing Frye who was here whose job was to sit at 3 point line and drill wide open jumpers after James and Irving collapsed the defense. I understand that in Chicago one of the issues is they tried to make him sit at the 3 point line and that adversely affected his game.

I'm looking for peak Phoenix Suns Channing Frye, and there is a difference.

 

[weepinwillow]

I will be happy if he gives us peak Channing Frye.

12 pts/6 reb/.450/.439/.810
Would be roughly 26/27 year old Channing Frye.
13 pts/5 reb/.480/.402/.826
Would be last year Lauri Markkanen.

I think he's going to have a usage rate similar to last few seasons at 19.5-21.5%, so Channing Frye is kind of his low-end benchmark. I'd like to see '04-05 and 05-06 Rasheed Wallace on offense. Lauri has some post game in him and due to the nature of our own smallish G line up there are opportunities to force the mismatches in the post at times to take advantage of that.

 

[Randolphkeys]

12 pts/6 reb/.450/.439/.810
Would be roughly 26/27 year old Channing Frye.
13 pts/5 reb/.480/.402/.826
Would be last year Lauri Markkanen.

I think he's going to have a usage rate similar to last few seasons at 19.5-21.5%, so Channing Frye is kind of his low-end benchmark. I'd like to see '04-05 and 05-06 Rasheed Wallace on offense. Lauri has some post game in him and due to the nature of our own smallish G line up there are opportunities to force the mismatches in the post at times to take advantage of that.

I remain very concerned about Lauri's fit defensively. Channing could still challenge shots and move his feet in Phoenix as a PF/C. By the time the Cavs got Channing... well, at least he kept the locker room loose and fixed all the beefs!

 

[weepinwillow]

I remain very concerned about Lauri's fit defensively. Channing could still challenge shots and move his feet in Phoenix as a PF/C. By the time the Cavs got Channing... well, at least he kept the locker room loose and fixed all the beefs!

Who plays defense in the NBA? In 2011 the highest scoring team averaged 107 per game, that mark would have tied the Knicks for 26th place in points scored this last season. Anyway, I think Lauri can be mixed/matched to hide his defense some. I'm more worried about the Cavs guards ignoring him on offense where you need to get production or you really shouldn't have him on the floor.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Who plays defense in the NBA?

We took Okoro #5 overall because he plays defense and looks good in a sleeveless shirt. The idea is he becomes something more on the other side of the court.

I can ask the same of The Finnisher!

 

[2 For The Brew]

Who plays defense in the NBA? In 2011 the highest scoring team averaged 107 per game, that mark would have tied the Knicks for 26th place in points scored this last season. Anyway, I think Lauri can be mixed/matched to hide his defense some. I'm more worried about the Cavs guards ignoring him on offense where you need to get production or you really shouldn't have him on the floor.

In the regular season aka the new exhibition season - not much defense is played.

Playoffs are another story. It’s almost a different game. For example - as good a player as LeBron is regular season, he’s far better in the playoffs. Other players just can’t step it up against tough defense and/or can’t do playoff defense.

The old style Phoenix strategy works as entertainment - fast tempo, shoot quickly, games with lots of points, defense an afterthought. Cavaliers could do that and pile up points, but it’s not a good strategy for playoff success.

 

[Cavatt]

I remain very concerned about Lauri's fit defensively. Channing could still challenge shots and move his feet in Phoenix as a PF/C. By the time the Cavs got Channing... well, at least he kept the locker room loose and fixed all the beefs!

I don't know if Lauri is more defensively challenged than Channing was. He's roundly more athletic.

Now is he as smart using what he has, maybe not. I really don't think he is as bad as advertised and is plenty good enough as a backup. If we are talking starting, it might be a problem, but I trust JB to figure that out.

 

[weepinwillow]

In the regular season aka the new exhibition season - not much defense is played.

Playoffs are another story. It’s almost a different game. For example - as good a player as LeBron is regular season, he’s far better in the playoffs. Other players just can’t step it up against tough defense and/or can’t do playoff defense.

The old style Phoenix strategy works as entertainment - fast tempo, shoot quickly, games with lots of points, defense an afterthought. Cavaliers could do that and pile up points, but it’s not a good strategy for playoff success.

I agree that you will need to defend at some point for sure. Cavs have some guys who, when push comes to shove, can defend in Okoro and Allen, eventually Mobley should be real good there too, Stevens if he puts anything else together, Windler (less good and more active).

I'd say the regular season is like a cross of exhibition and like in soccer where you get relegated. Cavs really need to find a way into the playoffs, even the play-in just to get an idea of what it actually takes to win. Gotta make it first, though. If they played D'Antono-ball and scored enough to win the games needed to make the playoffs, it would be a good first step even if they were then beaten because they couldn't defend.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I'd say the regular season is like a cross of exhibition and like in soccer where you get relegated. Cavs really need to find a way into the playoffs, even the play-in just to get an idea of what it actually takes to win. Gotta make it first, though. If they played D'Antono-ball and scored enough to win the games needed to make the playoffs, it would be a good first step even if they were then beaten because they couldn't defend.

That's one approach. I'd call it the "Donnie Nelson Rebuild" where you motivate a young team through stats. The Run TMC teams went from dogshit to the playoffs by ignoring defense and trying to lead the league on points scored. It allowed Nelson to get half-court offense sets through.

Still seems to me that JBB is a defensive coach. Is that necessarily what you think he is going to stress in film sessions?

I tend to think Lowe is here to put on more horns sets offensively while JBB preaches funnelling penetration to the center.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

A couple of recent quotes:

Lauri Markkanen is a tremendous fit. If you told me two years ago that we’d have a chance to acquire him, you would be crazy. He’s so talented. He’s so skilled. He complements what we want to do. - Koby Altman

He’s more than just a spot shooter. He can catch and shoot off the move, but he also has an offensive game where you can give him the ball in isolation situations, and he can go get you a bucket there too.

It’s going to help our guards. It helps with spacing. There’s a threat from that deep perimeter, which at his position is going to pull a big guy out of the paint. That’s going to open it up for everybody….I don’t want to make him feel like he’s just got to stay behind that line and hunt [3-pointers]. I want him to play basketball and I want him to take all shots.- JBB

It doesn't sound like they want to trade him in three months and it doesn't sound like they see him as a Frye type spot up shooter.

If they put Allen, Mobley, and Marky on the floor at the same time one of them is going to be guarded by a guy who is 6'7" or 6'6".

By the way, in those video clips from the scrimmage it looked like he was smiling and having a great time. I saw a lot of talking on defense.

 

[rastamon87]

Can't remember when did Dirk became passable as a defender but from what I remember he was bad early in his career (same as Brook Lopez).... Hope Lauri takes a similar leap as he gain more experience, he's not really a stiff athlete and have good lenght... He is not going to be a great defender but he could atleast be a good team defender under a good scheme and if he puts in the effort/mindset....

 

[Sebastian]

Yes, and also, as your fellow Scandinavians in Norway found out, you never want to turn your back on the Swedes!

Yes, they might just give you half their army's weapons, and half their air force when the Soviets invaded, even though it crippled their own defense posture against Germany (Finland).*

Or train your army, house and arm them. And take in all your refugees, minus the royal family, and then help rebuild the country (Norway and Denmark) if you were occupied by the Germans.

*The irony of the German invasion of Norway is that the Swedes were unable to refuse German demands because they had gutted their armament and air force helping Finland only two months prior. The timing was most unfortunate.