Nurkic is our 2nd best Player, and it's not even close

[Orion Bailey]

I'm going to answer these questions.
Yes, Nurk is proving over and over again his back to the basket game is becoming a real weapon and he can draw fouls. Also, he's going to suck the defense in which can make for open shooters. Maybe you don't want to run that play every time but that leads me to my answer for question 2. I love the idea of getting nurk the ball about 10-15 feet away from the basket whether it's the mid posts or not anywhere in that "arc" I think there are interesting ways to use his passing skills and I'd like them to spend a lot of time running offense through him there, but that doesn't mean that's the only offense they should run.
The PNR with dame and Nurk has been really effective for the Blazers I don't have a problem with that.
It's interesting to me I think with any offense you want to see a multifaceted attack, I don't want them to run cross screens for Nurk every play, but I don't want them to go to Nurk every play either, I think they should be doing all the things you mentioned above and then have plays for other guys as well.

I started this whole "thing" by saying I think Stotts deserves some credit, in my opinion, he's actually done a pretty good job of changing the offense to go through Nurkic more, the last 4 weeks or so. The offense is a lot less stagnant in my opinion. I know they played a couple frustrating games vs Denver and Sacramento and while I think they were both "winnable" nobody bats 1000 so I suppose I can move on from those games and hope they learned from them.

I certainly have my problem with Stotts coaching, but it's been nice to see Nurk turn himself into a very, very good player this year and for Stotts to let things go through him.

This is it in a nutshell. I have been critical of Stotts as of late and need to back off a bit, as I too have seen a transition.

The best offense will always be a multifaceted offense. We seem to now have the weapons to provide many different looks, but we cant get predictable. We need to utilize all of these plays mentioned and then some.

I likethe idea of using Nurk at the 15 ft high post at times. This can be a very effective offense with a good passing center and wings that slash. This offense has also been proven to be effective during several eras.
Marc Gasol is the first player that comes to mind.
Sabas


There are others im sure.

However, this should not be where he is most of the time. Bigs in the paint are in the paint for a reason. Because they dominate it.
Mix it up. Keep the defense guessing the next move instead of planning for the predictable.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

What about Jake? Is Jake our second best player???

Maybe someday but today is not that day.

 

[Scalma]

Nurkic might objectively be the best center in the NBA this season.

He’s ranked fourth among centers in DRPM and eighth in ORPM. Jokic is elite offensively, but is ranked 25th among centers in DRPM, which lines up with the eye test. He is not a good defender, at all. Nurkic and Vucevic are the only centers in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive RPM. Vucevic may grade out better overall, but a quick dive into his numbers show quite a contrast in matchups against the western conference. He goes from being a +6 against eastern conference teams to a -1 against the west. Nurkic grades out positive against both.

Of course it isn’t a perfect science, but Nurkic has been elite this season and his contract is a joke. He might be the best all around center in the game, and I don’t think he’s done developing. I believe he will add a legit three point shot to his arsenal. And he’s only 24!

 

[swish3]

I believe he will add a legit three point shot to his arsenal.

Scalma, this is nonsense! Today, Nurk has a 3P% of 11.5 which means that he should not be wasting these shot opportunities if he cares about winning. Swish3 shooting is a talent and should only be done by those who have demonstrated at least 33% success. Nurk is making only about one-third of that minimum. But the Blazer Center swish3 scoring threat is available, as Meyers now leads the Blazers with 46.5%, is scoring 1.47 points per FGA, has an eFG% of 65.2, is making excellent passes and screens, and playing much better defense than Enes, and improving. We need to use the triple Center combination, relying on Meyers for the swish3s. If we increase Meyers 3PA to average 3+ per game, we have the virtues of a varied offense, inside and outside scoring, and fresh legs to get the wins in the season and through the Playoffs.

 

[BonesJones]

Scalma, this is nonsense! Today, Nurk has a 3P% of 11.5 which means that he should not be wasting these shot opportunities if he cares about winning. Swish3 shooting is a talent and should only be done by those who have demonstrated at least 33% success. Nurk is making only about one-third of that minimum. But the Blazer Center swish3 scoring threat is available, as Meyers now leads the Blazers with 46.5%, is scoring 1.47 points per FGA, has an eFG% of 65.2, is making excellent passes and screens, and playing much better defense than Enes, and improving. We need to use the triple Center combination, relying on Meyers for the swish3s. If we increase Meyers 3PA to average 3+ per game, we have the virtues of a varied offense, inside and outside scoring, and fresh legs to get the wins in the season and through the Playoffs.

Meyers started his career at 3 for 13 (23%). Guess he shouldve never taken a 3 after that.

 

[jlprk]

Meyers started his career at 3 for 13 (23%). Guess he shouldve never taken a 3 after that.

Another ridiculous thought from Bones Jones.

 

[BonesJones]

Another ridiculous thought from Bones Jones.

Just using your style of logic.

 

[H.C.]

IDK if Nurk is Portland's 1st, 2nd or 3rd most important player.
But similar to when Reggie said the Pacers go as far as Jermaine takes them.
Portland goes as far as Nurk takes them imo.
CJ & Lillard will always score. Nurk is the factor which makes Portland dangerous.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Can we get this guy more than 8 fucking shots? This team is wasting his talent.

 

[wizenheimer]

Can we get this guy more than 8 fucking shots? This team is wasting his talent.

seems fair, Olshey is wasting Dame's talent

 

[joeBlazers]

That's why we need a coach, who can actually see that.
Nurk took 8 shots today. C.J. 24. Nurk needs at least 15 shots per game. I don't care about Steven Adams or others centers.

IDK if Nurk is Portland's 1st, 2nd or 3rd most important player.
But similar to when Reggie said the Pacers go as far as Jermaine takes them.
Portland goes as far as Nurk takes them imo.
CJ & Lillard will always score. Nurk is the factor which makes Portland dangerous.

 

[illmatic99]

Nurk took two shots after halftime and none after the third.

That just can't happen. They started hard trapping Dame, and we countered by dragging our P&R out further, but we have to have more counters to keep Nurk involved down low.

 

[hoopsjock]

Nurk took two shots after halftime and none after the third.

That just can't happen. They started hard trapping Dame, and we countered by dragging our P&R out further, but we have to have more counters to keep Nurk involved down low.

That's what we do with the pick and roll. The minute I see the pick coming closer to half court I know we're doomed.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

That's what we do with the pick and roll. The minute I see the pick coming closer to half court I know we're doomed.

You must be singing the doom song...

 

[Labinot41]

This is a crazy stat. Didnt know Nurk has THAT much impact

 

[andalusian]

That kid is growing into understanding what he can do and how he can impact the game - it reminds me a lot of seeing Dame understand how he can manage the game by playing to his strengths and dictate the outcome. We are lucky to have this pair.

 

[tlongII]

He's just so damn big. From his waist to his feet he has to be the biggest guy in the league.

 

[Scalma]

I just pretend Nurk and CJ switched contracts and it calms me down.