Nurk doesn't get enough credit

[illmatic99]

Olshey/Stotts really should be commended on the adjustment this season. If we could just have another big that was consistently playable at the 4/5 (or just the level of play we got from Meyers last night), we would be in an awesome position moving forward.

I really wish we could have gotten a guy like Montrezl Harrel. He woulda been ideal for this.

 

[jlprk]

Nurkic supposedly weighs 280. The Stotts system makes him play as fluidly as a forward. It's hard to find big stiffs who aren't stiff. His plus is nifty short passes. His minus is absent-minded lapses.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think any knowledgeable basketball fan can see what is trending in the NBA. As much as people shit on Olshey, this offseason he fought back against wholesale changes and had faith in small adjustments and internal improvements to improve on our weaknesses. In today's NBA, no center Nurk's size is playing 30+ minutes a game. The speed of the game today puts him in a bad spot with the wrong matchup. Olshey got him back on a very nice (and potentially moveable deal) and banked on the improvement of ZC to cover for Nurk's lack of speed.

I think we have to look at Nurk/ZC almost as co-starters at the C, as their minutes will vary based on the matchup. There are some teams (and also just some points of each game) where Nurk isn't a good fit and Zach is gonna play big minutes. There are other teams that can't handle Nurk's size and that lets him feast.

Olshey/Stotts really should be commended on the adjustment this season. If we could just have another big that was consistently playable at the 4/5 (or just the level of play we got from Meyers last night), we would be in an awesome position moving forward.

Embiid is averaging 35 minutes per game, but he's also putting up 28 ppg and 12 rebounds as well as 2.2 blocks so I can see why.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I wonder what Nurks trade value around the league is?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I liked the way Stotts used Nurk to punish HOU for going small (to the tune of a game high +25 in 24 minutes). We're not going to out small ball HOU or GSW. Trying to do so just plays to their strengths. Stop trying to beat them at their own game and try beating them at ours. Sure, Nurk is slow footed compared to most small ball "centers". BFD. Most small ball "centers" stand zero chance stopping him in the low post either. When the other team goes small, FEED THE BEAST.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

I wonder what Nurks trade value around the league is?

Right now? ZERO.

He can't be traded until January 15.

BNM

 

[JDC]

He could be better defensively. I feel like he's played a little more selfishly in pnr (protecting against the roll man too much). and hasn't been quite as aggressive as a help defender.

The offense is markedly better in all facets though which is an important development long term.

 

[Blazer Freak]

Embiid is averaging 35 minutes per game, but he's also putting up 28 ppg and 12 rebounds as well as 2.2 blocks so I can see why.

And I guess I should have phrased it a little differently. The only player's Nurk's size that are getting big time minutes now are the media branded "unicorns". I don't think necessarily reserve that term for superstar players, I think Collins is a "unicorn" in today's game as he has the ability to play inside and out and his minutes are not restricted based on his style of play vs other teams.

 

[Blazer Freak]

I liked the way Stotts used Nurk to punish HOU for going small (to the tune of a game high +25 in 24 minutes). We're not going to out small ball HOU or GSW. Trying to do so just plays to their strengths. Stop trying to beat them at their own game and try beating them at ours. Sure, Nurk is slow footed compared to most small ball "centers". BFD. Most small ball "centers" stand zero chance stopping him in the low post either. When the other team goes small, FEED THE BEAST.

BNM

I love the strategy. And when teams like LAL start running the PNR with McGee and Nurk is too slow to defend it, that is when Collins gets big minutes. We need one more mobile big man for depth as the season progresses, but I think this team has really improved this year, the shooting all over the roster has had a big impact.

 

[hoopsjock]

He could be better defensively. I feel like he's played a little more selfishly in pnr (protecting against the roll man too much). and hasn't been quite as aggressive as a help defender.

The the offense is markedly better in all facets though which is an important development long term.

PnR schemes are at least 90% coaching, not selfish players going rogue. The enforcement of the holding rules has allowed more opposing players to get free into the paint combined with the stupidity of going over picks against guys like Wall and Rondo instead of under to prevent penetration. Honestly what is Nurk supposed to do if he has to choose between letting Rondo have a lay-in or a Javale Mcgee dunk? The first two games of the year the weak side was actually rotating to cover Nurk's man if he helped but it hasn't happened since.

 

[JDC]

PnR schemes are at least 90% coaching, not selfish players going rogue. The enforcement of the holding rules has allowed more opposing players to get free into the paint combined with the stupidity of going over picks against guys like Wall and Rondo instead of under to prevent penetration. Honestly what is Nurk supposed to do if he has to choose between letting Rondo have a lay-in or a Javale Mcgee dunk? The first two games of the year the weak side was actually rotating to cover Nurk's man if he helped but it hasn't happened since.

Yes, Nurk is asked to do a lot.

And maybe selfish was the wrong word, but he isn't playing the cat and mouse game with ball handlers as well as we've seen in the past.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Right now? ZERO.

He can't be traded until January 15.

BNM

David Kahn on Line Two...

 

[Boob-No-More]

Yes, Nurk is asked to do a lot.

And maybe selfish was the wrong word, but he isn't playing the cat and mouse game with ball handlers as well as we've seen in the past.

Possibly because he's not allowed to touch them.

BNM

 

[JDC]

Possibly because he's not allowed to touch them.

BNM

Nurk has shown the craftiness to use subtle lunges and reaches to cause the handler some indecision. And also the timing to contest at the last possible moment.

We've less of that this year.

I also think he's been a little more conscious of avoiding foul trouble, which would explain him not being as aggressive defending around the rim overall.

 

[Labinot41]

Nurkgoat!! He definetly deserves some credit, he improved his Shooting and efficiency, 59% TS is really good, but wtf happened to his Defense? Last year he was a Fantastic rim protector, this year not so much

. as much as i appriciate nurkics improvement, i think Collins should be the C for the Blazers, his Ceiling is much higher than Nurk's, Nurkic is just too slow to defend, this will be a big Problem in the Playoffs? while Collins is made for the modern NBA imo

 

[dviss1]

I liked the way Stotts used Nurk to punish HOU for going small (to the tune of a game high +25 in 24 minutes). We're not going to out small ball HOU or GSW. Trying to do so just plays to their strengths. Stop trying to beat them at their own game and try beating them at ours. Sure, Nurk is slow footed compared to most small ball "centers". BFD. Most small ball "centers" stand zero chance stopping him in the low post either. When the other team goes small, FEED THE BEAST.

BNM

In the 2 games Nurk played 30+ mins we lost.

Maybe Terry is a lil smarter than those clamoring for more of the beast.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

In the 2 games Nurk played 30+ mins we lost.

Maybe Terry is a lil smarter than those clamoring for more of the beast.

Well, to be fair "2 games" isn't exactly a huge amount of data to go off of. I get it though.

 

[Boob-No-More]

In the 2 games Nurk played 30+ mins we lost.

Maybe Terry is a lil smarter than those clamoring for more of the beast.

Anecdotal evidence. We didn't lose either of those games because of Nurk. In neither game was POR outscored when Nurk was on the floor.

In the WAS game Nurk had 22 point and 18 rebounds and was +1

In the LAL loss, Nurk scored 14 points grabbed 13 rebounds and was +12. Our bench was pretty terrible in that game. They were outscored 44 - 26 by the Lakers bench and went 2-14 from 3-point range.

BNM

 

[dviss1]

Guys I recognize its a small sample size. I'm only saying that I think Terry is aware of how many minutes to give Nurk and what situations are best.

 

[JDC]

Nurk Stats

17-18: 4.5 post ups per game @ 42.8% / 6.2 paint touches per game / 46.6% of FGA in restricted area
18-19: 3.5 post ups per game @ 50% / 7.9 paint touches / 58.9% of FGA in restricted area

Shooting unsustainable %'s from 3-10ft & 16-3pt but these stats should help him maintain the improved efficiency.

 

[Scalma]

Nurk Stats

17-18: 4.5 post ups per game @ 42.8% / 6.2 paint touches per game / 46.6% of FGA in restricted area
18-19: 3.5 post ups per game @ 50% / 7.9 paint touches / 58.9% of FGA in restricted area

Shooting unsustainable %'s from 3-10ft & 16-3pt but these stats should help him maintain the improved efficiency.

He seems to have put on good weight this offseason. He’s back to where he was when he first got to Portland, but he replaced the fat with muscle. If you look at photos of him early last season, he was SKINNY. Hes also a lot more patient and balanced. Experience helps. Last year was really his first year starting and having significant responsibilities.

 

[Scalma]

“Nurk fever” Nurk:

29.2 MPG

15.2 PPG
10.4 RPG (3.3 offensive)
3.2 APG
1.9 BPG
51% FG
66% FT
3.1 TOV
3.7 PF
105 ORTG
104 DRTG
21.1 PER


2018-19 Nurk:

24.9 MPG

15.3 PPG
10.5 RPG (3.9 offensive)
1.9 APG
1.0 BPG
52% FG
79% FT
2.3 TOV
3.1 PF
117 ORTG
102 DRTG
24.6 PER

And in November his blocks and assists have spiked as well.

Respect him.

 

[andalusian]

The nicest thing about Nurk is that he is not in a hurry around the basket anymore. Last year he wanted to take advantage of his new slim frame and rushed things. He is (mostly) not anymore - and it is paying dividends.

 

[Scalma]

The nicest thing about Nurk is that he is not in a hurry around the basket anymore. Last year he wanted to take advantage of his new slim frame and rushed things. He is (mostly) not anymore - and it is paying dividends.

The game has slowed down for him. Adding some of the weight he lost has helped as well. And it isn’t sloppy weight like when he first got to Portland. Hes in ideal shape.

 

[hoopsjock]

The game has slowed down for him. Adding some of the weight he lost has helped as well. And it isn’t sloppy weight like when he first got to Portland. Hes in ideal shape.

I like when he gets into the chest of the defender with his left side in a legal non-fouling way to create space with his right. He rarely misses when he does that.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I was way too critical of Nurk early in the season. I thought his defense kind of stunk. I had to back off and just realize the way the NBA is calling things means guys like nurk cant play the “bruising” type of defense they used too. His positioning on defense is still pretty good, he hates getting stuck on an island away from the basket, but most 7 foot 2, 275lb center hate that.

After taking the step back and watching him I think he’s been really close to their 2nd best player this year. Its great that they trust Collins off the bench to step in and give Nurkic rest.

Cant complain about what Nurkic is doing this year so far.

 

[Eastoff]

I also think he's been a little more conscious of avoiding foul trouble, which would explain him not being as aggressive defending around the rim overall.

I think this is a lot of it. He doesn't want to get in as much foul trouble. He's erring on caution.

 

[tykendo]

If Nurk continues to develop, he has a chance to become a dominant force, and that makes this Blazers team a serious threat going forward.

 

[mook]

Last year he was such a terrible post player. It's really amazing to see his progress around the rim. I guess you have to have some dark to get to the light.

 

[Scalma]

Last year he was such a terrible post player. It's really amazing to see his progress around the rim. I guess you have to have some dark to get to the light.

Last year in post up situations Nurk had a FG percentage of 42%. For comparisons sake that put him above players like Marc Gasol and Vucevic but below the top tier of guys like Embiid and Cousins.

This year he’s at 53% which puts him above Embiid, Aldridge, AD, Whiteside, KAT, etc...you get the picture. Only center with a higher percentage with comparable attempts is Jokic. What’s funny is Carmelo has been extremely efficient in post ups this season (66%) but on fewer attempts. But that’s another discussion.