Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen began with a pretty thoughtless cookie-cutter response when he was asked if he wanted to win Most Improved Player or make an All-NBA team.
"It would be a pretty cool thing to get the acknowledgement, but trying to go day by day and try to worry about what happens on the floor," Markkanen said.
That's when he paused and asked aloud to the room full of media members: "I don't even know who makes the decision on that, you guys?"
The room responded with nods. And suddenly Markkanen's true opinion on the matter showed.
"It would mean a lot!" he said in a playful, almost campaign-like manner. "It would be really big! Please!"
Markkanen is now one step closer to earning one of those.
Markkanen was named a finalist for Most Improved Player on Friday, meaning he finished in the top three in the voting of 100 media members. Jazz center Walker Kessler was named a finalist for Rookie of the Year as well.
Markkanen is the betting favorite to win Most Improved Player after his All-Star campaign. He went from a serviceable starter in Cleveland into a leading man in Utah, upping his scoring average by more than 10 points — from 14.6 to 25.8.
And with that big jump in usage came a surprising big jump in efficiency. Markkanen also became the first player ever to have 200 3-pointers and 100 dunks in the same season.
Oklahoma City's Shai Gildgeous-Alexander and New York's Jalen Brunson are the other finalists.
Kessler, meanwhile, made a strong push for Rookie of the Year in the closing months of the year. Once he entered Utah's starting lineup for good in early January, Kessler averaged 11.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.9 blocks; and the advanced stats love him. Just about every metric shows he was the most valuable rookie when it comes to actual winning, but that's not always what this award is about.
Orlando's Paolo Banchero, who will likely win going away, was just the sixth rookie ever to average 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams was the other finalist.
