By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Lauri Markkanen went from following his home country of Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off of the NHL to additional approval on the NBA potentially using some kind of international format for the annual All-Star Game.
A collision of Team World and Team USA has been gaining more traction over the years. The success of the revamped format used by the NHL during the midseason break resurfaced similar ideas for the NBA.
“I don’t know what the format would be. Would it be World against U.S. or North America… or would it be France. They would have to figure it out,” the 27-year-old Finnish forward of the Utah Jazz mentioned on obvious limitations compared to the player pool of the NHL.
“I think it’s a really good format and gets meaningful games for the break. You always want to fight for your country,” he recapped the 4 Nations Face-Off during a media session on Friday, “That was cool.”
In the NBA case, Team Europe can emerge as a suitable option.
“Not quite the same but it’s up there for sure,” Markkanen compared a potential participation in Team Europe versus playing for the national team of Finland, “It’s like a brotherhood here. You see a European guy on the other team and you talk with them after the game. It’s almost like you know each other and you are from the same country even though you’re not. Just sharing something, coming to the States. I think it’s a thing that connects people. It would definitely feel prideful representing Europe but of course, your country is always your country.”
In 2023, the Finnisher got an All-Star nod en route to being named the Most Improved Player of the 2022-23 season.
“I would love to be a part of the All-Star Game every year. That’s my goal, obviously, but I haven’t watched the last couple of games. I kind of get it both ways, you want to go out there and compete, and also it is for the fans and put on a show and stuff,” mentioned Markkanen.
In his eighth NBA campaign, the former Arizona standout is averaging 19.2 points per contest. At 13-42, the Jazz are 14.5 games away from the Play-In zone of the Western Conference.