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“Finland goes to war with Serbia”: Lauri Markkanen posterizes reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, exhibiting Kobe Bryant’s Mamba mentality

Arjun Julka
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"Finland goes to war with Serbia": Lauri Markkanen posterizes reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, exhibiting Kobe Bryant's Mamba mentality

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen performs a monster dunk on MVP Nikola Jokic. The Finland native talks about Kobe Bryant being his favorite hooper, remembering the Black Mamba’s iconic 81-point game. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a lottery team ever since LeBron James left in 2018. The team has been in the news lately for its tumultuous relationship with its five-time All-Star Kevin Love. The former champion was recently replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Evan Mobley.

However, Love has embraced his new role and has nothing but praise for the 20-year old Mobley. Nonetheless, the Cavs fans had something to cheer about today with their team defeating the Denver Nuggets. However, the highlight of the game consisted of newly acquired Lauri Markkanen dunk over MVP Nikola Jokic.

The play involved Markkanen intercepting a Jokic pass and would follow it up by posterizing the reigning MVP. The seven-foot Cavs forward had everyone’s attention with that play.

Also read: “Tacko Fall at ‘point guard’ would mean an 82-0 season”: Jarrett Allen hilariously mocks the Cavaliers for having too many big-men following Lauri Markkanen trade

Markkanen told Scoop B Radio that Kobe Bryant was his all-time favorite player. The 20-year old recalled the iconic 81-point game the Lakers legend had against the Toronto Raptors.

Twitter reacts to Lauri Markkanen’s dunk on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

The Cavs defeated the Nuggets 99-87. However, Markkanen’s dunk had the social media buzzing more than Cavs’ win over Nuggets.

Lauri Markkanen is an ardent Kobe Bryant fan.

Markkanen, who has been trending on social media for his dunk on Jokic, had recently spoken about his all-time favorite NBA player to Scoop B Radio. The Finland native would reminiscence the Mamba’s 81-point game.

“I remember he shot like 3 threes in a row against the Toronto Raptors and tied the game to go to the overtime,” he told Scoop B Radio. “I watched the 81 point games.”

Also read: “Damian Lillard likes image that places Ben Simmons in Portland”: Blazers superstar sends NBA fans into a frenzy amidst Sixers DPOY trade rumors

The late Kobe Bryant has had a huge impact on the current generation of NBA stars. Whether it is Devin Booker or Lauri Markkanen, nobody forgets to mention the Lakers legend every time they have a special performance.

About the author

Arjun Julka

Arjun Julka

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Arjun Julka is a NBA author at The SportsRush. Basketball isn’t just a sport for this 26-year-old, who hails from Mumbai. He began watching the sport after stumbling upon a court in his society, helping him identify an undiscovered passion for the game of hoops. Now an ardent fan, Arjun supports Stephen Curry and the Warriors but also enjoys watching Giannis Antetokounmpo own the paint. When it comes to the GOAT debate, the TSR author feels LeBron James is yet to receive a lot of his due but cannot deny marveling at Michael Jordan’s resume.

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