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SALT LAKE CITY — The day has almost arrived for Lauri Markkanen.
The Finnish forward has spent the season rebranding himself. The one-time lottery pick has bounced around from team to team as a role player, but has popped up in Utah as a bonafide star. He has surfaced as an all-around offensive force who can score at all three levels with remarkable efficiency, and emerged as a cornerstone to the franchise.
He soon could be one of the NBA's newest All-Stars.
Markkanen has spent the season answering questions about being named to his first first All-Star squad. On Thursday, he'll get the answer when the reserves are announced on TNT (5 p.m. MST). Among his team, though, there appears to be little doubt as to what those results will be.
"None of us are hoping, we are all expecting," Jazz coach Will Hardy said.
Markkanen does seem like a lock to make the team.
He's averaging 24.9 points and 8.3 rebounds, and has been one of the most efficient offensive players in the league. He's shooting 52% from the field, 43% from the 3-point line (on 7.2 attempts per game), and 87.5% from the free-throw line. He's a couple percentages points away from the charity stripe from joining the famed 50-40-90 club.
Markkanen had a case to be named a starter, so naturally, he should be a shoo-in to make his first All-Star squad as a reserve.
"I have a term paper already written (about Markkanen's case)," Walker Kessler said. "I mean, the way he plays and the way he affects winning is just unbelievable; and his efficiency and just how good he is in so many things."
That's when Markkanen, who sat beside Kessler, began to chuckle.
"Are you laughing?" Kessler asked.
"Yeah, I'm embarrassed," said Markkanen, parroting some members of the media.
"Don't be embarrassed, man," Kessler said in a mock brotherly tone. "He's an unbelievable player, extremely efficient, extremely physical, and wants to win above everything. And more than that, he's a great guy, super humble. I mean, it's a no-brainer."
The reserves will consist of two backcourt players, three frontcourt players and two wildcards. Of the frontcourt players, Markkanen's stiffest competition will likely come from Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (who may be hurt by playing just 28 games), Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis and LA Clippers forward Paul George.
"I mean, if it happens, it's gonna be a great feeling," Markkanen said. "Obviously, I've said from Day 1 when I stepped into the league, it's a dream of mine and goal of mine on a personal level, but, obviously, it's not stopping there. Then you've got bigger goals ahead of you — and then just we've got a game on Friday," Markkanen said.
