Lauri Markkanen to "Israel Hayom": "Perfect time for us to reach the Eurobasket quarterfinals" | Israel today

Lauri Markkanen is perhaps the most talented basketball player to emerge in Finnish basketball and on his way to becoming the greatest in the history of the Scandinavian country.

The 25-year-old forward/center, who stands 2.13 m tall, is gifted with a high understanding of the game, shooting and passing ability - everything that is expected of tall players in the modern era.

Since being selected seventh overall in the 2017 draft, Markkanen has not dropped a double-digit average in his five seasons in the NBA, and is now Finland's great hope of taking the national team to the quarterfinals for the first time in its history.

The hope of the Finns, and also the main headache of Guy Goodes and the front line of the Israeli team ahead of the opening game of the European Championship tomorrow (2:00 p.m.).

Just before, we caught the talented actor for a special interview from Prague.

Markkanen.

Has not dropped from double digits since arriving in the United States, photo: EPA

As someone who all year plays in the best league in the world against the best players out there, how does it feel to represent your country?

"Representing my country is of the utmost importance to me. In the game against Sweden in June I wore the national uniform of Finland again for the first time in four years and I had butterflies in my stomach. Words cannot describe how much playing for Finland means to me."

You are considered a legend in Finland, and everyone expects you to lead the team to success in EuroBasket.

Do you feel pressure?

"I'm ready for the challenge, I'll do whatever the team needs from me. If the coaches want me to take the important shots, I'll be happy to do it, but I also want to be part of the team defense, pass the ball, bring vocal leadership on the field and in the locker room. In the end, all of this He is part of my job and I am ready."

What do you think about the NBA players not participating in most of the team's games because of the FIBA ​​schedules?

"It's all politics, and I don't want to get into it too much.

I of course want to represent my homeland as often as possible, but we all have to work with the circumstances we've been summoned to."

Markkanen.

A legend in Finland, photo: FIBA

Thanks to your success in recent years, do more kids in Finland want to play basketball and reach the higher levels?

"I hope very much. I haven't seen official numbers, but based on what I've heard, young kids in Finland are getting into basketball more than in the past. I'm always happy to see kids fill the basketball courts and it brings me tremendous energy."

There is a long history of meetings between Israel and Finland.

How do you see the balance of power for tomorrow?

"Israel is an excellent basketball team. Until the last game, I faced them only once, but I know a lot about the history of Israeli basketball and that they have many good players in the top European leagues."

As a European talent who came to the NBA at a young age, what do you think of Danny Avdia?

"He is an excellent player and still very young. The NBA is not an easy place and it takes time for any player to establish himself in it. His best years in the league are still ahead of him."

Jacob Meir

What advice can you give him for the future?

"Just be who you are. In the end, a player knows best who he is and where his great potential lies and what he needs to work on."

You had a very good first five seasons in the NBA.

Have we already seen your full potential, or will you be even better in the future?

"As a professional, of course I believe that my best days as a player are coming. I believe that I am more athletic and more skilled and I play with a higher basketball IQ than five years ago. At this point it's all about knowing yourself and working on small things every day."

Who is the defensive player who defended against you the best in the NBA, who was the hardest for you to throw and score against?

"This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many good defensive players in the NBA. For example, Draymond Green, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo can punish their man in so many ways on defense."

Who do you think is the best player in the NBA?

"Another complicated question. Naturally, Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are at the top in recent years, but everyone saw what Steph Curry did in the last playoffs, and of course you can't forget LeBron James and Kevin Durant. I believe that the individual talent in the league is at an all-time high."

What will be considered for you and for Finland as an achievement and a success in EuroBasket?

"Before my time in the national team, we finished in 9th place in 2011 and 2013. It would be great for us to qualify for the quarterfinals, and from there we'll see where we can go."

Markkanen yesterday at the team training,

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