Is Whiteside better than a healthy Nurk?

[tlongII]

I think he’s doing great. Our interior defense is awesome. Once we figure out how to run guys off the 3 point line we’re going to be hell to play against.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Right now both are untouchable!

 

[CupWizier]

Did anyone hear during the broadcast that Nurk was working out before the game. I thought i heard a quick blurb but no elaboration.

 

[Propagandist]

Great two games. What do y'all think?

Clearly Whiteside is that fine ass woman (or man!) that you hook up with between serious relationships and that you’ll always remember fondly (sigh), but Nurk is the one you marry ‘til death do you part.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Did anyone hear during the broadcast that Nurk was working out before the game. I thought i heard a quick blurb but no elaboration.

I heard Gasol dont remember hearing that about Nurk though.

 

[riverman]

More importantly, is Whiteside atheltic enough to play some power forward when Nurk returns?

Pau will be back by then...

 

[Blazers Roy]

Is Stotts better than a Brad Stevens with a migraine?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think you guys are missing the important part here.

Nurk, disgruntled played, never consistently plays up to expectations, comes to Portland, immediately plays harder and better.

Whiteside, more disinterested than disgruntled, never consistently plays up to expectations, comes to Portland, immediately plays harder and better.

Lillard is one of the top 2 or 3 leaders in the NBA. Lillard makes players around him better.

 

[Chris Craig]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/hey-experts-hassan-whiteside-trade-051100742.html

 

[42N8Bounce]

I'm excited that we have them both.

I don't know if 'Is Whiteside better than Nurk?' is the right question. I think both players are top tier centers, each with a unique skill set that makes them elite. Last year both had a similar impact to the game (PER = 23.4 & 23.5).

When Nurk comes back at full strength, he's the starter for the Blazers simply because of age and contract. Until that point, it looks like Whiteside has plenty left in his tank to not only 'fill in for Nurk', but excel.



This is going to be a fun year!

 

[Natebishop3]

I voted yes for two reasons:

1 - Nurk can be very inconsistent and Whiteside right now is playing for that fatty contract.

2 - Whiteside has a crazy black hole effect on the interior. It was insane watching how he affected the Nuggets players. His reputation for blocking shots is not something we haven't seen since Ratliff.

Speaking of Ratliff, I'd prefer NOT to get Ratliff'd again, so I think Whiteside will be gone at some point. He's too big of a trade chip.

 

[Hey]

If he plays at even 75% of what he's done these past two games and does it consistently for the whole season, then yes. The unfortunate thing is that both seem like they are the kind to pout if they are put in a bench role.

 

[Natebishop3]

If he plays at even 75% of what he's done these past two games and does it consistently for the whole season, then yes. The unfortunate thing is that both seem like they are the kind to pout if they are put in a bench role.

That's why I think Whiteside will be traded...... but if Nurk comes back and he's not ready, it could really hurt our team. We will be in a tough spot. Especially if we're winning a ton.

 

[riverman]

That's why I think Whiteside will be traded...... but if Nurk comes back and he's not ready, it could really hurt our team. We will be in a tough spot. Especially if we're winning a ton.

Nurk will more than likely use load management when he comes back....Zach and Skal will be able to fill in and if Hassan is moved, Moses can be the big body at the end of the bench..I'm not worried about that at all...I think they'll work Nurk into game shape so he's beasting come playoff time and I'm good with that....if we keep Hassan and Nurk we'll be incredible in the paint. That would mean we trade Zach or Skal or both for a power forward I'd think and mean Jody is willing to pay a lot of luxury tax

 

[Natebishop3]

Nurk will more than likely use load management when he comes back....Zach and Skal will be able to fill in and if Hassan is moved, Moses can be the big body at the end of the bench..I'm not worried about that at all...I think they'll work Nurk into game shape so he's beasting come playoff time and I'm good with that....if we keep Hassan and Nurk we'll be incredible in the paint. That would mean we trade Zach or Skal or both for a power forward I'd think and mean Jody is willing to pay a lot of luxury tax

I don't think there's any way both of them are on the team after the trade deadline. Not unless Nurk just isn't read at all, but if that's the case, do we really want to let Whiteside go for nothing next summer? I can't see us paying him what he's going to command on the open market. Especially not if we can add another piece at a key position.

 

[wizenheimer]

I don't think there's any way both of them are on the team after the trade deadline. Not unless Nurk just isn't read at all, but if that's the case, do we really want to let Whiteside go for nothing next summer? I can't see us paying him what he's going to command on the open market. Especially not if we can add another piece at a key position.

I can't see Portland paying any new player big bucks next summer, not with were they will be cap-wise, and especially not with the threat of the cap dropping up to 15% because of China. Even a static cap would limit the Blazers facing another year of being over the tax line putting them in repeater tax territory

in other words, I would be really surprised if the Blazers traded either Whiteside or Bazemore for a big contract that wasn't also an expiring. Gallinari is the only notable player that has an expiring contract

 

[Natebishop3]

I can't see Portland paying any new player big bucks next summer, not with were they will be cap-wise, and especially not with the threat of the cap dropping up to 15% because of China. Even a static cap would limit the Blazers facing another year of being over the tax line putting them in repeater tax territory

in other words, I would be really surprised if the Blazers traded either Whiteside or Bazemore for a big contract that wasn't also an expiring. Gallinari is the only notable player that has an expiring contract

This team doesn't have a true scoring power forward. I suspect Whiteside will be dealt for one. Because I can't see HW and Nurk coexisting. They both have a bad reputation for pouting on past teams, and Nurk specifically did not do well when he was trying to coexist with Jokic. With that said, Whiteside is nearing that age where he would be a perfect backup center. But he's still playing at an All-Star level. He's not going to want to come off the bench. I think Nurk would accept a bench role until he's back to 100%, but after that..... things will get nasty.

In terms of the salary cap, I don't think Jody gives a rats ass about the money.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

This team doesn't have a true scoring power forward. I suspect Whiteside will be dealt for one. Because I can't see HW and Nurk coexisting. They both have a bad reputation for pouting on past teams, and Nurk specifically did not do well when he was trying to coexist with Jokic. With that said, Whiteside is nearing that age where he would be a perfect backup center. But he's still playing at an All-Star level. He's not going to want to come off the bench. I think Nurk would accept a bench role until he's back to 100%, but after that..... things will get nasty.

In Lillard's leadership I trust.

 

[riverman]

Nurk is on a REAL friendly 4 year deal....making Meyers money basically so when it comes to wanting a championship...I think they'll know by the deadline whether they need to move expirings or pay a tax to try for a ring. Baze is expiring too and I really want to keep him around...I'd probably move some younger guys for that Power Forward we need if Hassan would commit to staying. I get the feeling the front office won't trade Zach

 

[wizenheimer]

In terms of the salary cap, I don't think Jody gives a rats ass about the money.

Paul did, and it's one thing to pay 25M in tax over a couple of years. It's another to pay 25M, or more, in the 3rd year alone, and pay repeater tax the next

we'll see I guess. A lot will depend on when Nurk returns and how he plays when he does

 

[Natebishop3]

One thing I really love about Whiteside is that he attacks the rim. None of that weak shit. He goes up to dunk the damn ball. I can't always say that about Collins or Nurk.

 

[blazedanugz]

Whiteside is playing great but he’s no Nurk. Nurk is better offensively, better passer and in my opinion a better defender. Too many times whiteside is just anchored down there in the paint and isn’t as good at recovering if he goes for the block which leaves someone wide open. Nurk is also at least passable in our pick n roll defense on the perimeter. I can honestly think of quite a few times Nurk has gotten steals on the perimeter or maybe a couple feet in.

 

[Scalma]

A week ago it was what can Portland get for whiteside in a trade now he’s better than Nurk lmaooo never change.

 

[kjironman1]

I think you guys are missing the important part here.

Nurk, disgruntled played, never consistently plays up to expectations, comes to Portland, immediately plays harder and better.

Whiteside, more disinterested than disgruntled, never consistently plays up to expectations, comes to Portland, immediately plays harder and better.

Lillard is one of the top 2 or 3 leaders in the NBA. Lillard makes players around him better.

Not disagreeing with you at all but i think it also has to do with the entire organization and coaching staff as well.

 

[Natebishop3]

A week ago it was what can Portland get for whiteside in a trade now he’s better than Nurk lmaooo never change.

I mean.... regardless of how good he is, I still think we have to trade him. He's 30 and he's an expiring contract. I don't think we would keep him unless Nurk just doesn't recover.

 

[Blazers1977]

I think we can find a way to make Nurk and Whiteside work. Now that the warriors fell apart, playing big lineups is a lot more plausible.

I could see us doing something like the 2006 Heat did with Shaq and Alonzo Mourning, play one 30 min per game and the other 20 min per game. Physical centers can use the minutes off, especially if we’re planning on going deep in the playoffs, and especially with Nurk coming off his injury.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we can find a way to make Nurk and Whiteside work. Now that the warriors fell apart, playing big lineups is a lot more plausible.

I could see us doing something like the 2006 Heat did with Shaq and Alonzo Mourning, play one 30 min per game and the other 20 min per game. Physical centers can use the minutes off, especially if we’re planning on going deep in the platofd.

Zo was not really a starter anymore at that point. It was after his health issues he was 35 years old, and he only played in 65 games total that year. He only played two more years and then he was out of the league.

Both Whiteside and Nurk are starters, and borderline All-Star caliber players at this point. Whiteside is in his prime and Nurk is entering his prime. Neither one of them can play power forward, so getting them to co-exist is nearly impossible. It's just not going to work. If we're committed to Nurk, we need to be committed to Nurk.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Some of you forget Nurkic is dealing with a looooong injury. Even when he'll be back he will deal with mental issues, conditioning and getting his touch back.

It's safe to assume that for this entire season Hassan will be better than Nurk.

 

[Blazers1977]

Zo was not really a starter anymore at that point. It was after his health issues he was 35 years old, and he only played in 65 games total that year. He only played two more years and then he was out of the league.

Both Whiteside and Nurk are starters, and borderline All-Star caliber players at this point. Whiteside is in his prime and Nurk is entering his prime. Neither one of them can play power forward, so getting them to co-exist is nearly impossible. It's just not going to work. If we're committed to Nurk, we need to be committed to Nurk.

Mourning led the league in blocks that year playing 20 min a game..

 

[GDiama]

Nurkic is clearly better than Whiteside. Their difference is like comparing Lillard to Kemba.