Lauri Markkanen is the top guy in Salt Lake City but is the Utah Jazz’s sole All-Star on the level of the Top 15 players in the NBA playoffs currently? That’s what we’re going to be looking at. Markkannen, known for his three-level scoring, has made the Jazz much better than anyone would have expected at this point in the team’s rebuild.
He’s played so well that the team has to actually hinder Markkanen by trading away his better and more reliable two-way teammates. If the Jazz didn’t single-handily hold Markkanen and company back, the Jazz may be in the playoffs right now.
He’s not, however, and instead, he’s watching the most exciting brand of basketball the NBA offers from the comfort of his own home. This is giving him plenty of time to watch the best of the best in the NBA. But is he on the best of the best’s level?
Well, ESPN posted their Top 15 players this postseason (via NBA Central) and it’s a pretty controversial list.