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SALT LAKE CITY — On Monday evening (or Tuesday morning for him), there was confirmation of Lauri Markkanen's rising status in the NBA.
Sure, he won the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year award, but that wasn't it. The real moment was when TNT's Ernie Johnson announced the winner and he pronounced Markkanen's name correctly (or, at least, as correct as most Americans can).
Three months ago, Markkanen was announced as "Lori" when he was named an All-Star. On Monday, though, he was Lauri (pronounced like Kyle Lowry).
"If they said Lori, l know who they are talking about, but, I mean, I appreciate it whenever somebody has it right," Markkanen said earlier this season.
More and more people are getting it right. That happens when a player starts in an All-Star game, wins end-of-season awards, and become a franchise cornerstone for the Jazz. That's what Markkanen proved this season; his award acceptance, though, showed how interesting of a time it has been for Markkanen.
Markkanen sat in front of a blank wall at an undisclosed place in Helsinki, Finland. He had been given leave from the Finnish military base he's stationed at for the night to celebrate — or, maybe more accurately, to deal with the obligation that came with — winning the most improved player award.
"Obviously, not trying to stop here," Markkanen said over Zoom as he sported a buzz cut. "It's a good recognition of the work you put in, but it's just the beginning. I want to make the next jump and be able to lead this team to the playoffs and do something big with this group. So it feels good to get this award, but I'm even more excited going into the future with this and just keep working even harder."
But, for now, his mind is on the present.
Last week, he entered Defence Forces' Sports School in Helsinki to start his mandatory military service. That's why he had to get special permission to appear on TNT's announcement of the award, and then later on a Zoom call with media members.
If anything could overshadow the season he just had — 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds on career-best shooting numbers — it was the fact that he was currently in the military.
"We jumped into a new challenge in my life, and so I've been kind of busy with that; I haven't been able to think about if I'm going to win this award or not, but it means a lot, obviously," he said. "So I definitely wanted to wake up for this and be part of this with you guys."
As for military service, he said he was still learning the basics.
"It's a lot of gear and trying to get everything organized, getting to know the schedule and what time we have to do everything," he said.
There's been a lot of stuff thrown at his military group in a small-amount of time, he said, and he's enjoyed it thus far.
"You learn how to march as a group and stuff like that. We haven't really done anything too crazy yet. It's kind of learning," he said. "It's been fun to go through it with your friends and make some new friends at the same time. I'm sure it's going to be picking up pretty soon."
As for celebrating the most improved player award, that will probably have to wait.
He said his family was asleep at home — not surprising, considering the time difference — and he'd have to be back on base in a few short hours. He admitted he was going to be a little tired, but said it'd be worth it.
"You don't win this award too many times," he said.
