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SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen walked into the press conference room after Utah's 108-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks with Walker Kessler in tow.
The two together have been a pretty common sight lately. Ever since Kessler jokingly made himself Markkanen's All-Star campaign manager, the two Jazz players have had fun playing up the bit with constant jokes and references (and it should be noted that it will likely be a successful campaign come next Thursday).
And when it was mentioned that the two have been pretty in sync lately, Markkanen quickly deadpanned: "Except wearing suits."
Markkanen, who was dressed in a navy pinstripe suit, turned to Kessler in his more modest jeans and sweater attire and said: "You don't wear suits yet."
"Yeah, you got the resources; I got sweater resources," the rookie center responded.
Thus began a fun back and forth between the two that went on through the entirety of the presser.
Some highlights:
- When Kessler was reminded that Markkanen had more money than he does, he turned to his teammate and said: "Lauri, I have an investment opportunity. Have you ever heard of a restaurant called Waffle House?" Unfortunately for Kessler, Markkanen had not. When the Finnish forward shook his head, Kessler said: "We'll get there. I'll put together a powerpoint." (Yes, the Atlanta native wants to bring the famed southern diner to Utah).
- Kessler had just given a fairly lengthy response when he turned to Markkanen and asked: "Do you have anything to add to that, Lauri?" Markkanen looked a little taken aback. "No, I wasn't listening," he said. "I saw him (the reporter) look at you, so I stopped paying attention." Markkanen then paused and patted Kessler's leg and said, "Good answer."
- Markkanen praised Kessler for earning a starting spot before he was cut off by Kessler, who said, "You're gonna make me shed a tear, man."
The two have, obviously, built a rapport at the press conference podium, but it's happening on the court, as well. In Saturday's win over the Mavericks, the Jazz unveiled what may end up being their new go-to starting lineup: Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Kelly Olynyk, Markkanen and Kessler.
It's a lineup that features two 7-footers (Kessler and Markkanen) and another one (Olynyk) just shy of that mark. Kessler has started since Olynyk went down with a sprained ankle, but he's progressed so quickly this season that Jazz coach Will Hardy kept him in, even with Olykyk getting back on Saturday. Utah went to the jumbo lineup right out fo the gate.
"Kelly and Lauri both have the ability to space the floor as shooters," Hardy said. "Walker, obviously, his presence screening and rolling to the rim, I think, still fits very well within our offensive concept when those two guys are out there; and then defensively, we're big."
Markkanen had 29 points and five rebounds, and Kessler had 14 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks in the win. Utah led by as many as 19 points in the third quarter before holding off a Dallas, which was without Luka Doncic, rally at the end.
Markkanen was used to playing with a similar supersized lineup in Cleveland last year when he was a wing alongside Jarret Allen and Evan Mobley with the Cavs. He said having that kind of size down low gives perimeter defenders more confidence to pressure up on the ball more.
"It's a fun way to play for sure," Markkanen said.
Olynyk was limited to just 15 minutes in his first game back from an ankle injury; but in the 10 minutes the starters played together on Saturday, the Jazz had an 85.7 defensive rating. Yes, it's a small sample size, but it was a good early return. (The lineup had played just 26 minutes together entering Saturday and had similar defensive numbers.)
"Defensive end, being able to press up on guys and contest the rim, but not only that, but really focus on the defensive rebounding side of it," Kessler said. "I mean, having three guys like that, it's tough to get an offensive rebound against a lineup like that."
Utah outrebounded Dallas by 18 Saturday; and considering the Jazz have been hurt multiple times this season on the boards, that's a positive sign moving forward.
"We're hoping that that can remain an advantage for us moving forward," Hardy said. "I think our job as a staff is always to look at our team and try to look at the strengths of all of our guys. And when we put different lineups on the court, like what are the potential strengths of those groups and try to lean on those things. So hopefully the rebounding can continue."
Hopefully the postgame Kessler and Markkanen Show continues, too.
