There was a time when it looked like the Utah Jazz might prove everyone wrong and be the best team in the Western Conference.
Despite conventional wisdom that they were set to tank in 2022-23, the Jazz got off to a wildly hot start this season.
Sure enough, they were the top team in the West for a brief time.
Times have changed and the team has come back down to Earth in a big way: they are currently the 10th team in their conference and right below .500 with a 20-21 record.
But they still have some amazing players who are having banner seasons.
Lauri Markkanen:
Last season: This Season:
14.8 PPG 24.5 PPG
5.7 RPG 8.4 RPG
1.3 APG 1.9 APG
0.5 BPG 0.6 BPG
44/35/86% 52/42/86%
58 TS% 67 TS%Most Improved Player pic.twitter.com/eh4cRMbh4F
— NBA Muse (@NBAMuse24) January 6, 2023
The Jazz are led by Lauri Markkanen, who is playing his first season in Utah.
He has come out swinging and is currently scoring 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game on 52/42/86%.
Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen was posting 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 44/35/86%.
There are quite a few people saying that Markkanen should be in the running for Most Improved Player of the Year and that chorus of fans is only growing.
Meanwhile, Markkanen has secured a career-first: he is currently receiving millions of votes for February’s All-Star Game.
So far, Markkanen has earned 466,988 votes, which puts him just ahead of Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Kevon Looney when it comes to frontcourt players in the West.
Markkanen’s great season is obviously the real deal – although some people thought he was just showing mere flashes of greatness, he is now consistently terrific and the centerpiece of the team.
It’s not clear what’s ahead for the Jazz and how this season will conclude for them but everyone agrees that Markkanen has officially arrived in a big, big way and is quickly becoming one of the best in the West.
NEXT: Is Lauri Markkanen Becoming A Superstar?