Minnesota Sports Forum

... and Steph Curry is back.

Golden State scored 144 in his return last night.

When did Lauri Markkanen become a superstar?

He averaged 1.8 fta in 2021. He averaged 2.6 fta in 2022.

He had 21 free throw attempts last night. He's had at least 12 fta in 5 of his past 7 games.

hmmmm....

AbeVigodaLive wrote:When did Lauri Markkanen become a superstar?

He averaged 1.8 fta in 2021. He averaged 2.6 fta in 2022.

He had 21 free throw attempts last night. He's had at least 12 fta in 5 of his past 7 games.

hmmmm....

The talent has always been there, which is why some wanted the Timberwolves to sign/acquire Lauri Markkanen two off-seasons ago, but he really showed that star progression this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Different player than he was before. He's been excellent this season.

It is pretty rare for a guy to take this big of a jump in Year 6. I mean, it's not like he just gradually worked his way up to this. He literally went from a solidly average starting forward for multiple years to a star.

Wolves are the current 6 seed

The Jazz lost at home to the Sixers.

We're now the 6th seed in the West, although I don't even know if that even means anything since so many teams are bunched close together.

Camden wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:When did Lauri Markkanen become a superstar?

He averaged 1.8 fta in 2021. He averaged 2.6 fta in 2022.

He had 21 free throw attempts last night. He's had at least 12 fta in 5 of his past 7 games.

hmmmm....

The talent has always been there, which is why some wanted the Timberwolves to sign/acquire Lauri Markkanen two off-seasons ago, but he really showed that star progression this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Different player than he was before. He's been excellent this season.

Obviously, Markanen is playing better that ever before... but the ridiculous jump in free throw attempts seems to suggest the officials are thinking he's made a bigger leap than maybe he actually has.

Camden wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:When did Lauri Markkanen become a superstar?

He averaged 1.8 fta in 2021. He averaged 2.6 fta in 2022.

He had 21 free throw attempts last night. He's had at least 12 fta in 5 of his past 7 games.

hmmmm....

The talent has always been there, which is why some wanted the Timberwolves to sign/acquire Lauri Markkanen two off-seasons ago, but he really showed that star progression this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Different player than he was before. He's been excellent this season.

Markkanen is yet another example of why I've harped on having patience with young players. Not every talented player has a big leap in his second or third season. Sometimes it doesn't happen until a player's 4th or 5th.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:When did Lauri Markkanen become a superstar?

He averaged 1.8 fta in 2021. He averaged 2.6 fta in 2022.

He had 21 free throw attempts last night. He's had at least 12 fta in 5 of his past 7 games.

hmmmm....

The talent has always been there, which is why some wanted the Timberwolves to sign/acquire Lauri Markkanen two off-seasons ago, but he really showed that star progression this summer in the FIBA World Cup. Different player than he was before. He's been excellent this season.

Markkanen is yet another example of why I've harped on having patience with young players. Not every talented player has a big leap in his second or third season. Sometimes it doesn't happen until a player's 4th or 5th.

I think this means being back Patton :)

Q-was-here wrote:The Jazz lost at home to the Sixers.

We're now the 6th seed in the West, although I don't even know if that even means anything since so many teams are bunched close together.

What it means is that I'm happier than I'd be if we were 10th. :)