Lauri Markkanen’s arrival at the Utah Jazz was met with low expectations, and many believed he was just a future trading piece. However, he has proven to be a valuable building block for the team.
With the Jazz giving up valuable core players like Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Bojan Bogdanovic, Markkanen has stepped up and shown that he can be a resident superstar in the coming years.
Kevin Durant, a seasoned veteran, and superstar himself have been impressed with Markkanen’s performance. He has praised him for being the prototype big in the NBA, a player that every team would love to have.
Markkanen has the ability to play center, shoot the 3, dribble, and is athletic, making him an all-around threat. He has exceeded expectations, playing phenomenal ball in Utah, and has become a key player for the team despite the recent trade changes.
The center position in the NBA is challenging to come by as players need to have a jump shot to be a threat, but often lack the size to accompany it. Markkanen, however, covers all the essential elements needed in a big man, as he is a 7-footer with outstanding athleticism, a 3-point jumper to space the floor, and the ability to bring down the ball despite his size.
Markkanen’s statistics this season speak for themselves. He is currently averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game, and has played 63 games, averaging 35 minutes per game. He has consistently carried the Jazz through down-to-the-wire games and has become a fan favorite. He has also been called to the All-Star game for the first time in his career and is looking favored to be in the All-NBA third team this season.
A few years ago, Markkanen was considered a risky player as he battled through injuries and inconsistent performances during his time in Chicago and Cleveland. However, he has bounced back and proven himself to be a valuable asset to the Utah Jazz.
The team may have found their precious franchise player in Markkanen, but it remains to be seen if they can build a strong team around him to become a legitimate playoff contender.
Kevin Durant’s greatness doesn’t depend on winning a championship without a super team.
The idea that Kevin Durant needs to win a championship by himself or without a super team is flawed. Winning trophies in team sports require great players and strong teams. Durant is already a two-time NBA champion, a league MVP, and one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
He has accomplished everything at an all-time level. Durant should be commended for joining the Golden State Warriors and helping them win two championships. He is a 13-time All-Star, four-time scoring champion, and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team.
He has always held up his end of the bargain in trying to stack his trophy case, never averaging less than 20 points per game in his career.
In Phoenix, Durant is searching for his third ring, but even if he never wins another championship, his greatness should not be questioned. The Warriors needed Durant to win two of their four championships, and without him, they may not have even reached the Finals.
Durant is a great player who deserves respect for his accomplishments, regardless of whether he wins another championship.
