There were quite a few first-time All-Stars in 2023, with some new faces really stepping up to the plate this season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen were two who made it in for the first time this year and quite deservingly so. They have been so good, that when NBA fans on Twitter were asked to play a game of “1 gotta go” with them and Karl-Anthony Towns and Julius Randle, they were quite split on the matter.
A fan felt it was Towns by a wide margin for this season as he hasn’t played much, unlike the other three.
A fan felt Markkanen has only had one good season, so he has to be one to go.
A Bulls fan believes that Randle is the worst player among these four and should be the one to go.
A fan clowned Jaren Jackson Jr. by stating he doesn’t belong in the same conversation as the other three.
A fan went with Towns, not for his play, but because they felt that he is a culture killer.
If you just look at this season, Towns might well be the one to go, but his resume is well clear of the other three here. He is the only one among them who has made multiple All-NBA teams and he has been an All-Star three times as well. He will have a chance to prove his doubters wrong in the postseason, as the Minnesota Timberwolves will be in the play-in tournament. Jackson and Randle, meanwhile, are already in the playoffs, with Markkanen being the only one among them who didn’t make it.
Lauri Markkanen Will Complete His Mandatory Military Service This Offseason
While Markkanen would ideally like to spend much of his offseason working on his game after a career year that saw him average 25.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 1.9 APG, he’ll have another big commitment to focus on. It is mandatory for Finnish males under 30 to serve in the military and Markkanen will fulfill it in the offseason.
He had postponed it when he was at college at the University of Arizona and had intended to serve after last season, but the Cleveland Cavaliers being in the play-in tournament meant it was postponed yet again. With the Utah Jazz having been eliminated from contention, he plans to head over this time around.
Source: fadeawayworld
