What a difference - Bear Nurkic making a BIG impression

[Mediocre Man]

For a year until George signed with the Lakers.

And?

You win when you can.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

And?

You win when you can.

He alone doesn't make us title contenders.

 

[illmatic99]

This summer is really big for him.Lose some weight and get in better shape, while getting chemistry with Dame/CJ.

Guys like Love/Marc Gasol/etc have had these crazy transformations to their physiques and come back to have career years.

Nurk will get a max contract in 2018 if he keeps this up, so it's in his best interest for him to workout like mad. I think he has it in him now that he's motivated.

 

[Mediocre Man]

He alone doesn't make us title contenders.

Closer than now

 

[Pinwheel1]

This summer is really big for him.Lose some weight and get in better shape, .

I assumed he might need to lose some weight as well but I am not so sure now. I read an old article from the fall saying that Nurk dropped a bunch of weight heading into Fall camp. I think he probably put some back on over the season when he was not playing much, but right now he does not look over weight. But then again I have not seen him live, only on tV. My point is I think he will work himself into game shape by the end of the season, then he just needs to maintain it. Either way he is pretty close to a good weight level IMO.

 

[illmatic99]

I assumed he might need to lose some weight as well but I am not so sure now. I read an old article from the fall saying that Nurk dropped a bunch of weight heading into Fall camp. I think he probably put some back on over the season when he was not playing much, but right now he does not look over weight. But then again I have not seen him live, only on tV. My point is I think he will work himself into game shape by the end of the season, then he just needs to maintain it. Either way he is pretty close to a good weight level IMO.

That's fine. He looks really winded though, and this is probably going to manifest in some down play a few weeks from now. He just needs to get in better shape in general, especially if he plays over 30 mins on a regular basis.

 

[Reep]

He will continue to improve his conditioning, but I'm not seeing much evidence that he needs to lose weight. He seems to handle his weight just fine. And a lot of his bulk isn't fat, but just a big sturdy core.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

BB27 > RoLo, and I love me some RoLo. Better than Pryz, too. Best Blazer center in recent memory.

 

[Boob-No-More]

That's fine. He looks really winded though, and this is probably going to manifest in some down play a few weeks from now. He just needs to get in better shape in general, especially if he plays over 30 mins on a regular basis.

I'm not at all worried about his conditioning. The best way to get into game shape is to actually play in games. Prior to the trade, he hadn't played more than 26 minutes in a games since before Thanksgiving. In the last month before the trade, his PT looked like this:

7:47
6:26
7:36
13:32
20:26
DNP
7:43
DNP
15:29
12:18
18:50
DNP
23:41
5:16
DNP
11:19
DNP
Inactive

When you factor in the games he didn't play, that's an average of 8:21 a game. With time spend traveling there is little time for practice during the regular season. Going from 8 minutes a game to 30 is a huge jump in minutes. I have no doubt he will play himself into game shape in a week or two. He's only 22 and his body will respond quickly to his increased exertion level.

As is, he played nearly 38 minutes last night and was still producing at a very high rate, at both ends of the floor, late in the 4th quarter. I'll take that any day.

BNM

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I've actually heard some NBA players say that they've lost 10-15 lbs. over a weekend during the season.

I'm not at all worried about his conditioning. The best way to get into game shape is to actually play in games. Prior to the trade, he hadn't played more than 26 minutes in a games since before Thanksgiving. In the last month before the trade, his PT looked like this:

7:47
6:26
7:36
13:32
20:26
DNP
7:43
DNP
15:29
12:18
18:50
DNP
23:41
5:16
DNP
11:19
DNP
Inactive

When you factor in the games he didn't play, that's an average of 8:21 a game. With time spend traveling there is little time for practice during the regular season. Going from 8 minutes a game to 30 is a huge jump in minutes. I have no doubt he will play himself into game shape in a week or two. He's only 22 and his body will respond quickly to his increased exertion level.

As is, he played nearly 38 minutes last night and was still producing at a very high rate, at both ends of the floor, late in the 4th quarter. I'll take that any day.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

I've actually heard some NBA players say that they've lost 10-15 lbs. over a weekend during the season.

I'm sure a lot of that is water weight, but basketball is great aerobic exercise. I once played 15 games in a 3-day weekend (tournament + league games). By Sunday night, I weighed less in my early 50s than I did at 17.

The only thing I've found close to simulating game conditions in a workout is interval training. I used to do 5 or 6 miles on the track alternating: 100m walking, 100m sprint, 100m jog, 100m sprint. Do five or six miles (20 - 24 laps) of that and it will get you in pretty good game shape.

BNM

 

[gatorpops]

Whats exciting is his ability to make/complemet others better. Dame is energised and thriving.
CJ is the one that is struggling because he has/needs to dribble to get his shot and he is having to play off the ball a lot.
With Turner coming back I think he will love the passing game and excell.
Cheif is also going benifit along with Harkless.

As an aside the reason GSW is so good is their passing for easy shots.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Back when we had the Lopez/Aldridge/Batum/Matthews/Lillard starting unit, we had beautiful ball movement and five guys who could all score. Lopez was limited, but he had that reliable 15 - 17 ft. set shot, if left open, and ran a good side pick and roll with Nic. For a season and a half, we had the best starting unit in the NBA.

The thing that made that team fun to watch was all the ball and player movement. Back then, we had a great record in close games, because we ran plays other than a Dame or C.J. iso with the game on the line. You never knew who was going to get the final shot. We had the element of surprise on our side. I remember we had one stretch of less than a month when Aldridge, Lillard, Batum and Matthews all hit game winning/game tying buzzer beaters.

Now that we have another player who is both a scoring threat and a willing and capable passer, we are starting to see some more of that ball and player movement and less reliance on the 1-on-1 ability of two players. It will be interesting to see if there is an even bigger improvement in those areas when Turner comes back. Ultimately, I think Turner is best as a 6th man, but we don't really have anyone better to start in front of him. I'm hopeful we can upgrade both starting forward positions this summer, either through the draft, or through draft day trades.

Nurkic is still young and this is the honeymoon phase. He will make mistakes and he will have bad games, but the potential, basic skills and feel for the game are all there. He'll only get better. We now have a legitimate 2-way player to compliment our defensively challenged guards. Now we just need to upgrade the forward positions. It will be interesting to see what our roster looks like come early July. Unlike last summer, I expect to see significant changes. Three 1st round picks, whether we use the picks or trade them, pretty much guarantees some significant roster turnover.

BNM

 

[riverman]

Ultimately, I think Turner is best as a 6th man

I disagree....Turner has played way better with the starting unit and we've been in games in the first half when he starts...I think Napier is going to be our Mo Williams 6 man moving forward

 

[Boob-No-More]

I disagree....Turner has played way better with the starting unit and we've been in games in the first half when he starts...I think Napier is going to be our Mo Williams 6 man moving forward

He's been better as a starter because our bench sucks. He was great coming off the bench for BOS, because BOS had a good bench. Tuner is a complimentary player. He's only as good as the players around him.

If we can land a player like Isaac or Tatum in the draft, or trade for a quality starting SF, I would not hesitate to move Turner back to the bench.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

He's been better as a starter because our bench sucks. He was great coming off the bench for BOS, because BOS had a good bench. Tuner is a complimentary player. He's only as good as the players around him.

If we can land a player like Isaac or Tatum in the draft, or trade for a quality starting SF, I would not hesitate to move Turner back to the bench.

BNM

It really sucks because Turner was at his best playing in the second unit with guys like Smart and Sullinger. If Leonard played at least as well as Sullinger, I imagine he would have had much better success with our bench.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

In 5 games as a Blazer:
21.3 PER
.621 TS%
8.6 RPG
3.8 APG
1.8 SPG
1.8 BPG

73.7 FT%

 

[Boob-No-More]

It really sucks because Turner was at his best playing in the second unit with guys like Smart and Sullinger. If Leonard played at least as well as Sullinger, I imagine he would have had much better success with our bench.

Exactly! Hard to blame Turner for sucking with the second unit when the second out flat out sucks with, or without, him.

Speaking of second units, I'm curious to see what happens with Ezeli. Is the guy really done, or was he just taking a year off to heal? I have zero optimism than he'll ever play a game for us, but seeing Nurk's impact, I understand why Neil took the risk. A big, physical presence in the middle can have a huge impact, even in today's 3-point happy, guard centric game. Imagine, if you will for just one second, how much better our second unit would be with a healthy Ezeli backing up Nurk instead of Meyers manning the middle.

And, now back to reality...

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

In 5 games as a Blazer:
21.3 PER
.621 TS%
8.6 RPG
3.8 APG
1.8 SPG
1.8 BPG

73.7 FT%

Small sample size alert, but I'm guilty, too. I keep checking 82games.com every morning in hope that they will update their database (last update 2/23). I want to see how ridiculous Nurk's advanced stats are here in POR.

BNM

 

[riverman]

He was great coming off the bench for BOS, because BOS had a good bench

We're not Boston though ....I think he was great before his injury starting with Dame...he hasn't even played with Nurkic yet...and I think when he started....Napier brought some bench spark....Turner is better than Crabbe and it's not close

 

[riverman]

Imagine, if you will for just one second, how much better our second unit would be with a healthy Ezeli backing up Nurk instead of Meyers manning the middle.

I posted about this yesterday....if we can fix Ezeli and bring him off the bench behind Nurkic we're in good shape...I wondered if that's the plan now.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Whats exciting is his ability to make/complemet others better. Dame is energised and thriving.
CJ is the one that is struggling because he has/needs to dribble to get his shot and he is having to play off the ball a lot.
With Turner coming back I think he will love the passing game and excell.
Cheif is also going benifit along with Harkless.

As an aside the reason GSW is so good is their passing for easy shots.

I agree the warriors are an excellent passing team, but they still take a lot of 3 pt shots. It's just that they are all good shots when 4 of your 5 starters are good 3 pt shooters. Green shot 39% last year from deep. He is down this year to around 33%, but still every shot is a good shot for Steph, Klay, and Durrant. I am sure Terry would love to have 4 good outside shooters surrounding Nurk.

Also I am not sure CJ is struggling because of Nurk. Two games ago he went for 25 on 59% shooting. His turnovers are up but I don't think it has to do with Nurk, and if it does, it will only get better as they play together more.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We're not Boston though ....I think he was great before his injury starting with Dame...he hasn't even played with Nurkic yet...and I think when he started....Napier brought some bench spark....Turner is better than Crabbe and it's not close

Which is why I'd love to see Crabbe traded, perhaps combined with one or two of our picks for an upgrade at one of the forward positions, and if that happens to be a SF, I'd be fine moving Turner back to the bench. Turner is better than Crabbe at everything, but shooting, and it's not close. Crabbe stands around a lot and is very passive. Turner needs to be paired with guys who move well without the ball and dive to the rim. That's not Crabbe.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

I agree the warriors are an excellent passing team, but they still take a lot of 3 pt shots. It's just that they are all good shots when 4 of your 5 starters are good 3 pt shooters. Green shot 39% last year from deep. He is down this year to around 33%, but still every shot is a good shot for Steph, Klay, and Durrant. I am sure Terry would love to have 4 good outside shooters surrounding Nurk.

Also I am not sure CJ is struggling because of Nurk. Two games ago he went for 25 on 59% shooting. His turnovers are up but I don't think it has to do with Nurk, and if it does, it will only get better as they play together more.

Agreed. C.J. is a smart player and a student of the game. The guy watches a lot of film. He'll adapt.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Which is why I'd love to see Crabbe traded, perhaps combined with one or two of our picks for an upgrade at one of the forward positions, and if that happens to be a SF, I'd be fine moving Turner back to the bench. Turner is better than Crabbe at everything, but shooting, and it's not close. Crabbe stands around a lot and is very passive. Turner needs to be paired with guys who move well without the ball and dive to the rim. That's not Crabbe.

BNM

Crabbe seems to play well with Nurkic though. With his ability to pass the ball, we're going to need shooters....... just not shooters making that much money.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I posted about this yesterday....if we can fix Ezeli and bring him off the bench behind Nurkic we're in good shape...I wondered if that's the plan now.

I don't think they can afford to keep Ezeli. There are a few contracts that will help with the luxury tax, and his IMO is one of them. They can pick up a rookie or a journeyman a lot cheaper and keep Ed Davis as well.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I posted about this yesterday....if we can fix Ezeli and bring him off the bench behind Nurkic we're in good shape...I wondered if that's the plan now.

It would be great if we could, but given Ezeli's history you just can't depend on him being available to play. If we make the payoffs, I wonder if we'll see Ezeli. Wasn't that the rumored plan all along - to save him for the playoffs? With Ed out, we could certainly use an extra big man - if we make the playoffs.

It would be somewhat ironic if we face Golden State in the 1st round and Ezeli is available, but Durant isn't.

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

Crabbe seems to play well with Nurkic though. With his ability to pass the ball, we're going to need shooters....... just not shooters making that much money.

Yeah I think Crabbe will be traded as well. I still do not think we had that much to lose by matching the contract last summer. But either way once he received the offer, he was not destined to stay a Blazer long term. If they get anything for him then it is a win.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

OK, so this was interesting to me. I looked at Nurkic's advanced stats in the 5 games he's been here. PER above 21.3 with usage rate 21.2, assist % over 20 (double his career average), TS% above .620. I thought, "that has to be a pretty unique combination of stats", so I ran a query for seasons with similar parameters. Got a lot of results from Magic, Stockton, Nash, some cat named Brad Davis who played for the Mavs in the 80's...mostly point guards. So I eliminated guards, and the only result is Nurkic's former teammate, Jokic.

We need to steal their foreign scouting department.

 

[illmatic99]

We need to steal their foreign scouting department.

Been saying this all year. They even got another good one in Hernangomez last draft (with our pick)