What a difference - Bear Nurkic making a BIG impression

You've gone too far. Shaq seems like he was quite a bit more athletic than Nurk

 

Shaq was a giant version of a great athlete. Not just a super tall guy. Nurkic seems to mobile and coordinated for a giant. Not the same thing, but Nurkic is a better shooter already.

 

Nurk is a fusion of Shaq, Russel, Olajuwon, Duncan and Wilt !!!! :MARIS61::MARIS61:

 

What....no JaVale McGee?

 

It's been what 3-4 games, but I will make a case that Nurk is the second most valuable player on this roster, behind Lillard, for really one reason; he makes everyone around him better.

He makes Dame and CJ better by clearing lanes. I've seen more open driving lanes the past week than I have the past two seasons. Once teams catch on that he can also hit jumpers, you'll see opposing centers come out to guard him, clearing even more space. Drummond did a couple times last night.

He's also a huge threat on pick and rolls. He's already developing chemistry with Dame on this play. He almost always makes the right read when he catches the ball as well, and his vision allows guys like Crabbe and Harkless to get wide open looks. Crabbe should play more with Nurk. Seems like those two have something going.

We can run the offense through him at the top of the key like we did with Plumlee. Pulls the opposing center away from the basket and allows Harkless to post up. Harkless is usually guarded by the other teams worst defender, so this will more often than not be a mismatch in Harkless' favor.

Nurks post up game. This area is a bit raw because he tends to rush his shot from time to time, but it's clear that he can get to his spot against literally any big in the league. Not only get to his spot, but make other centers look really small while doing it. Once the game slows down for him in this area, he will be unstoppable.

His defensive presence. I've seen just his presence alone make ballhandlers bail on attacking the rim. Never saw that with Plumlee. His active hands are also a weapon when he hedges. Even when he was a rookie he was racking up steals. That part of his game is not a fluke. He's also a solid shot blocker. He's got quick feet (relatively speaking) to mirror laterally. His reading of situations needs work, but remember, he's only 22 and has only been here for a week or whatever.

His attitude. It's already rubbing off on guys like Vonleh, who's played with more confidence the last two or so games than he has since he's been in the league. The rest of the guys look more engaged as well. Even CJ blew up last night. I've never seen that. I've also never seen Lillard as mad as he was after not getting a call.

I look forward to his home debut. I know if I was there I'd be giving him a standing ovation when he gets introduced. Olshey deserves credit as well. He may have turned Mason Plumlee into our franchise center for the next ten years.

 

He does make teammates better. 1. He is actually LOOKING to pass. 2. Because of #1, teammates are cutting in the direction of the basket. (novel concept)

 

I like this guy a lot. It was a great trade. Till this day what shocks me is denver also gave us a 1st rounder on top of Nurkic..

I would have just been happy straight up trading Plumlee for Nurkic but then u add a draft pick? Great trade

 

Denvers gm said something like they didn't really have use for the pick because they already have a hard time opening up playing time for all the young players they have. He didn't want to "cannibalize" his roster. It makes sense, but I'll take it. We pretty much bought that pick with the cash we sent them.

 

Makes sense

 

I'm crying.

 

Hes 22

 

Denver done fucked up goooooood!

 

He has a bit of a Sabonis quality.

 

its been like 4 games and he fits like a glove.

 

Seeing how well Nurkic plays the PnR makes me wish we had a goddamn PnR big for Lillard to play with since his rookie year. It seems to open Dames game up a lot as well.

 

I finally feel like we're building a core with an identity instead of on going training camp....Dame CJ Turner Aminu and Nurk should be able to build a strong unit

 

At this point I think Nurk is more untouchable than CJ. He's just a perfect fit for Damian's game, and so young. I'm hoping we somehow flip CJ for a star-caliber SF of PF to balance out the roster and compete from there.

 

CJ and a pick or two for Paul George would have made us potentially special

 

For a year until George signed with the Lakers.