Notice Blazers announce Jusuf Nurkic suffered a non-displacement fibular fracture in his right leg.

[Scalma]

Word is Nurkic suffered the non-displaced fractured fibula during Thursday’s 117-107 victory over the Rockets, but continued to play on it, ultimately tweaking it again later in the game.

He finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes, and he played until the buzzer. So, the fracture can’t be that serious.

Inside the Blazers, there appears to be some optimism that Nurkic will be available for the playoffs. In a text message Friday evening, team captain Damian Lillard was asked for his thoughts on the Nurkic news.

Lillard's response:

“Tough news … Fortunate for us we’ve created a little gap. Next guy has to be ready to step up … But at least we can expect to see him for the playoffs,’’ Lillard wrote.

http://www.csnnw.com/portland-trail...story-centers-adds-another-chapter-wit-nurkic

 

[KingSpeed]

Re-evaluate in 2 weeks
The season is done in 2 weeks, we're done. Too late to tank?

Maybe Butters will up his trade value?

We're 2 games ahead of Denver and we hold the tiebreaker.

 

[Scalma]

I think Vonleh will stand out as a small ball center. This is an opportunity more for him than Meyers, and also a chance for the coaching staff to evaluate a small ball lineup that could really help vs golden state. Remember last year when we beat them and how much Vonleh stood out. Maybe it turns into a long term scenario.

 

[Natebishop3]

If Nurk doesn't get hurt... we win one game against the Warriors in the first round..... maybe two.

If Nurk doesn't get hurt.... we get swept.

Does it really matter?

 

[KingSpeed]

If Nurk doesn't get hurt... we win one game against the Warriors in the first round..... maybe two.

If Nurk doesn't get hurt.... we get swept.

Does it really matter?

Yes. Even though you try, we can't predict what will happen in the playoffs. What's important is that we have our best players and put in our best effort. Anything is possible.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Maybe I'll get that lottery pick I was hoping for.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

F this curse so hard with a triple edged serraded, thorny, dynamite rigged dildo. I hate this news.

 

[jonnyboy]

Its not like Nurk was carrying the team along by himself. Im all about some Nurk too but we are still capable of winning games. We bust ass for the next two weeks and then Nurk comes back hungry for Warrior meat. We be ok.

 

[julius]

Does anyone else kind of feel like being a Blazer fan sometimes feels like you're having a nightmare or watching a really bad movie?

I swear, just when I started to get excited about the teams chances to possibly get HCA in the playoffs next year this shit happens.

Someone better pass them in the hunt for the 8th seed.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

We're 2 games ahead of Denver and we hold the tiebreaker.

So what?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Fuck!

Jebe! (<--Fuck in Bosnian)

/quality post

 

[PDXFonz]

Yes. Even though you try, we can't predict what will happen in the playoffs. What's important is that we have our best players and put in our best effort. Anything is possible.

If anyone wants to argue this logic please first point me to your time-space dimension warping device.

 

[Jon]

Why? We still have Dame & CJ and a 2 game lead plus the tiebreaker.

Because meyers...

 

[Nikolokolus]

Its not like Nurk was carrying the team along by himself. Im all about some Nurk too but we are still capable of winning games. We bust ass for the next two weeks and then Nurk comes back hungry for Warrior meat. We be ok.

Win % with vs without is night and day. This is .400 team without him.

 

[Dougnsalem]

Word is Nurkic suffered the non-displaced fractured fibula during Thursday’s 117-107 victory over the Rockets, but continued to play on it, ultimately tweaking it again later in the game.

He finished with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in 32 minutes, and he played until the buzzer. So, the fracture can’t be that serious.

Inside the Blazers, there appears to be some optimism that Nurkic will be available for the playoffs. In a text message Friday evening, team captain Damian Lillard was asked for his thoughts on the Nurkic news.

Lillard's response:

“Tough news … Fortunate for us we’ve created a little gap. Next guy has to be ready to step up … But at least we can expect to see him for the playoffs,’’ Lillard wrote.

http://www.csnnw.com/portland-trail...story-centers-adds-another-chapter-wit-nurkic

I think Vonleh will stand out as a small ball center. This is an opportunity more for him than Meyers, and also a chance for the coaching staff to evaluate a small ball lineup that could really help vs golden state. Remember last year when we beat them and how much Vonleh stood out. Maybe it turns into a long term scenario.

Couple great posts there. Many by other posters too. If Dame, of all people, is still being optimistic, then why can't we be? Yup, it's our crappy luck, as I have witnessed for 40+ years. Let's go small ball, and see what these guys can do. Shoot, play Layman too. Whatever happens, I am SO looking towards the future with this team. I couldn't say that 3 months ago....

 

[HailBlazers]

It was fairly obvious when he broke it. Can't be that surprised if you watched the game. Could be alot worse.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I bet Denver would give us Plumlee back.

 

[HailBlazers]

I bet Denver would give us Plumlee back.

LMAO.

 

[Dougnsalem]

I bet Denver would give us Plumlee back.

Sure! Only if they give us a future 1st round pick too though....

 

[TBpup]

Is the Nurkic effect powerful enough that Meyers leads this team to an 0-7 finish, Denver catches the Blazers and Portland becomes the first team in history to get the #1 pick out of the #14 position.

 

[dead247]

 

[Pinwheel1]

Again I would not chance playing him. It needs to heal right. We are not beating the Warriors regardless. Unless there is no way you can make it worse by playing on it.....don't rush him back!

 

[TBpup]

The starting center for your Portland Trail Blazers.....Meyers Leonard! (That right there should be worth a Lottery pick)

 

[jonnyboy]

Win % with vs without is night and day. This is .400 team without him.

 

[Portland2014]

So no lottery picks and also no chance of competing with Golden State...

This sounds like basketball purgatory to me...

 

[HailBlazers]

So no lottery picks and also no chance of competing with Golden State...

This sounds like basketball purgatory to me...

No that'd be being stuck watching basketball with you forever.

 

[roroyo]

I really had hopes for us to have a nice run with GS, but I guess we could find really nice silver lining here. Nurk will be fine. Maybe he will even be fine for GS..Our future looks good anyway. I mean it looks soooo much better than we could pray for just few weeks ago.

With this few games left we can find out who staying for next season, who's really worth it for this team. Players have a boost from Nurk and now they ALL have to step up strong. Before Nurk there were not much hope any of them (apart of 2) has enough attitude to help us for long term. Were there some issues in locker room before Nurk? Maybe. So now, when air is clear I hope we can find out who's who for us.
Can Heartless be more than two games in - two games out? Can Vonleh turn Hulk by himself? We don't have C, so we're not gonna kick asses, but it's perfect time to show some balls.

 

[Strenuus]

So no lottery picks and also no chance of competing with Golden State...

This sounds like basketball purgatory to me...

You seriously waited until Nurk got hurt to come back? At least blend in when we're winning. lol.

 

[Po'sFinest]

So no lottery picks and also no chance of competing with Golden State...

This sounds like basketball purgatory to me...

Why weren't you here when Nurk was healthy and dominating?

 

[stampedehero]

No WAY. From what I had seen of his interviews he will be back in one week. He doesn't accept road blocks.