I disagree. Those guys you mention were all old. Nurk isn't old. He's just not in optimal game shape. I say we keep pushing him exactly like we are.
He was racking up DNP-CDs in DEN and getting less than 18 MPG when he did play. He was not in game shape when he came here, and I'm a firm believer that the best way to get in game shape is to play real game minutes. It will take a while, but he'll get there. I think he does OK when he has a day off to recover in between games, but right now is struggling in the second of back to back games. Still, a gassed Nurk is better than a rested Meyers. So, let him continue to play his way into shape. Every game you push his endurance will put him closer to being able to play 35 minutes a night.
Get him in shape now and we'll reap the rewards in the playoffs. Remember, there are no back to back games in the playoffs and often 2, 3, or sometimes 4 days off between games. With plenty of time to recover between games and no legitimate back up center, we want to be able to get 38 - 40 productive minutes a game out of Nurkic in the post season. Push him hard now, like Stotts did last night, and he'll get there.
BNM