Italy defeated Serbia 94-86 in an upset win on Sunday, eliminating two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and his team from the EuroBasket, as relayed by EuroHoops. The Italian team, which will play its quarterfinal contest vs. France on Wednesday, was led by Nicolo Melli and Achille Polonara, both of whom had 21 points.
Jokic finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals. Serbia was a +11 points when he was on the court, but the team was outscored by 19 points in the 11 minutes he sat, according to Adam Mares of DNVR Sports (Twitter link).
Here are some other odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- Marc Stein releases the first edition of his power rankings (Substack link) for the 2022/23 season. The Warriors and Bucks, the two most recent NBA champions, sit at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The Celtics, Nuggets, and Clippers round out Stein’s top five.
- New Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen scored a Finnish national team record 43 points in the squad’s win over Croatia, as covered by Sportando. Markkanen also recorded nine rebounds, shooting 19-of-28 from the floor. Utah acquired him as part of a deal that sent away Donovan Mitchell this month.
- Basketball analyst Jonathan Tjarks of The Ringer has tragically passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. A GoFundMe has been set up for the Tjarks family that can be found here. We at Hoops Rumors extend our sincerest condolences to Tjarks’ friends and family.
Lauri should be starting in NBA. He hasn’t gotten a real shot imo. Some guys just take longer to find their gm in NBA. He’s a 20 n 10 guy if given support. It’s all about the right fit with players. Him next to a D center can work.
He started all last year. Got a 4/64 deal. The League knows
al just comments he doesn’t actually watch the games
I think what Al means is that Markkanen should get a chance to start at POWER FORWARD and not just thrown in the lineup at small forward, which is not his best spot on the floor.
He’s a good rebounder and should be given the chance to prove it on a nightly basis by being closer to the basket. At least that’s how I see what Al is saying.
He started 200gms at POWER FORWARD in Chicago. Last yr wasn’t his 1st yr in the league. Also Utah obv traded for him to be a starter/foundational piece. Guy was trying to give expert analysis on Lauri but everything he said made it obv that the Croatia game (which he almost certainly didn’t watch, lets be honest) was the 1st time he ever saw him play
I watched Lauri for 4 years, he’s a starter for a team who wants Wembanyana, he can get numbers but dude folds like wet paper under pressure, I’m sure you’ll see the same for Wendell this season, they only put up numbers when nothing matters and their teams are awful
Don’t bother bro. They don’t get ball. They Don’t really care. It’s like a child saying “I know you are but what am I”
If any team believed in Lauri. He wouldn’t be on his third team in 5 yrs.
He’s never started as the teams PF. Which is what he is. He’s never started as the teams top guys. He’s never started as the teams player to build around.
You clowns obviously have never played ball. Bulls didn’t respect his talent. Cavs certainly didn’t. See when you really start as a teams starting 4. It means you are the Guy. He’s never been given that shot. And has been dismissed. Not cause of his talent. But because of the expectations of GMs and coaches. Who obviously know what you two clowns know.
He started dam near every game he played in the NBA what are u talking about lol
RIP Tjarks. Prayers for his friends and family
Rip to Tjarks. Prayers up for his family. The good thing about him being a writer and Podcaster is when his son gets older, if he wishes, he can read his fathers. writing. Or listen to podcast episodes his father is on. And be able to hear his voice in either audio, or written form. It’ll be sad I’m sure, but also hopefully reassuring and something that can give him some strength.
Only yr he got a real shot was 2018-2019. His second yr. He put 9 n 19. But I believe he got hurt.. Then he never got a real opportunity again. All of you who only talk. Playing means you are a big part of the team. It means you are a staple of the rotation. Either as a starter or a bench guy. This usually takes a few yrs. So all you wannabees since you don’t understand that. You should look up his stats. You will see how many gms he really started. How many mins. How many shots he put up.
Lauri is a shooter and scorer. You clowns don’t know what that means. It means the Team knows it and let’s you shoot and score. Cause that is how you will help your team. Hence the words “he hasn’t found a team that supports him” the right chemistry. Considering he’s been on three teams now in 5 yrs. It shows no continuity. No support no belief in his game.
It’s what tells me a Real Fnn baller. You clowns should try and learn the gm. Instead of just trying to show up folks. Cause all you get with me. Is how freaking Stupid you look.
Lauri gets a team to believe in him as a starter. “Maybe you get this now”. He will put up 20 n 10. You can teach n help him with his D. But he is a Stretch 4. Who can rebound and score.
Amazing how so called basketball folks. Can’t understand ball in its simplest terms.
No one is a real part of a team if you get traded 3 times. Why would you need that explained too you.