Estimated read time: 3-4 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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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 — Last month, Lauri Markkanen was voted as the most improved player in the NBA. Apparently he'll need to make another leap to be named among the best of the best.
On Wednesday, Markkanen was snubbed from the All-NBA teams, finishing in a distant seventh among NBA forwards.
He earned just six second team votes and 31 third team votes. His 49 total points placed him was well below LeBron James' 81, who nabbed the sixth and final forward spot on the All-NBA teams.
If there is some solace, Markkanen did hint at the end of the season that the most improved player award would mean a little more, but admitted he wanted both.
"They're both big," Markkanen said during his exit interview. "I take a lot of pride in the work I put in and just seeing the progress I was able to make this year. … I think the most improved would be pretty cool just in that regard that I have put a lot of work and just seeing it pay off. It would mean a lot but, obviously, at the same time, All-NBA would be meaning you're over there at the top with those other guys."
Statistically, Markkanen had a pretty good case to be named to one of teams that honor the top 15 players in the league (three centers, six forwards and guards).
He averaged 25.6 points (a little over 10 points more than he averaged last season), and shot nearly 40% from 3-point range and 59% on his 2-point shots in 66 games. He also became the first player ever to record 200 3-pointers and 100 dunks in the same season.
And he did all that after a trade that brought uncertainty.
Like just about everyone else, Markkanen didn't know what his future held when he was traded to Utah as part of the Donovan Mitchell package last September.
Was he going to be flipped to another team? Would he even spend a season in Utah, let alone multiple? Where did he fit in with the future of the organization?
Markkanen then followed up a star showing at EuroBasket with Finland with a star showing with the Jazz.
He made (and started in) his first All-Star Game and won the most improved player award. In the end, he didn't need the All-NBA selection to earn himself a likely long-term home.
During all the uncertainty, Jazz CEO of basketball Danny Ainge told Markkanen to put down some roots and buy a house. He did just that.
"Me and my family are really happy here," he said. "I'm excited for the direction that we're going and so hopefully — obviously, it's a business you never know — hopefully I was able to make a good enough of an impression that I will stick around here."
Markkanen said everything just came together in a way that let him showcase who he really was as a player. All-NBA or not, it was a pretty good impression.
"I've been putting in the work and I've really always believed I can do this stuff," he said. "And I think everything happened to click this year; with the coaching staff and system and teammates and everything. So I've learned a ton of stuff, but I wouldn't say it surprised me."
What was a minor surprise? The fact he was not named to one of the three teams on Wednesday.
All-NBA teams
First Team: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks; Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics; Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder.
Second Team: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets; Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics; Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat; Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers; Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors.
Third Team: Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings; Julius Randle, New York Knicks, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers; De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings; Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers.
