The Utah Jazz have certainly been full of surprises so far in the 2022-23 season.
They started off in an explosive way and were actually the top team in the West for a while.
Since then, they have come back down to Earth and are currently the 10th team in their conference, which is still better than what was expected from them by some people.
There are multiple stars on the team who are catching attention, most notably Lauri Markkanen.
The Finnish forward is averaging 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 51.9% from the floor and 41.3% from the three-point line.
That is a massive step up from the numbers he created last year and means that he’s in the running for Most Improved Player of the Year.
Lauri should be a lock. https://t.co/SD3JNeDO2b
— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) January 15, 2023
Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis sure thinks so.
He responded to a tweet asking who should be the Most Improved Player and was direct: “Lauri should be a lock.”
There are a few stars who have risen this season but Markkanen is possibly the most impressive of them all.
Not only is he scoring more than ever before (he was good for 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists last year) but he is playing with fierce power and enthusiasm too.
He has become the most important player for this surprising Jazz squad and is doing All-Star numbers.
That’s why it’s no surprise that he isn’t only spoken of as a possible Most Improved Player but an All-Star as well.
He has garnered 845,663 votes from the fans for the upcoming All-Star Game.
If Markannen does get in, he won’t have to travel far since the All-Star Game will be held in Salt Lake City on February 19.
NEXT: Fans React To Donovan Mitchell's Return To Utah