Is Whiteside better than a healthy Nurk?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SharpesTriumph, Oct 25, 2019.

?

Whitesode.better than Nurk?

  1. Yes

    16 vote(s)
    18.8%
  2. No

    69 vote(s)
    81.2%
  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
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  2. Hey

    Hey Active Member

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    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.
     
  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
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  4. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    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
     
  5. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
  6. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    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
     
  7. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
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  8. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    In Lillard's leadership I trust.
     
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  9. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    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
     
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  10. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    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
     
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  11. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.

     
  12. blazedanugz

    blazedanugz Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  13. Scalma

    Scalma Well-Known Member

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    A week ago it was what can Portland get for whiteside in a trade now he’s better than Nurk lmaooo never change.
     
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  14. kjironman1

    kjironman1 Well-Known Member

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    Not disagreeing with you at all but i think it also has to do with the entire organization and coaching staff as well.
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2019
  15. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
  16. Blazers1977

    Blazers1977 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
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  17. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    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.
     
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  18. Blazers Roy

    Blazers Roy Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  19. Blazers1977

    Blazers1977 Well-Known Member

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

    GDiama Well-Known Member

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