That was noted in my post. That said, the Blazers played 8 games against playoff teams in that stretch and won 4 of them: OKC twice, San Antonio and Houston. They "beat" Washington too, but for the blown call at the end. Those were some quality wins.
I get all the reasons to be pessimistic about Nurk (SOS, Smaller sample size), but the reasons to be optimistic that he is only scratching the surface of his ability IMO outweigh them. 18/11/4 is not out of the question for him next year for a number of reasons. First, it's a fact that Nurk will play more minutes per game than he ever has before. Terry is known to only run his best players out there and run them ragged, so I expect Nurk to get a bit of the Dame and CJ treatment when it comes to minutes meaning 35+ on average. That alone would be a ~25% increase in minutes right off the bat giving him that much more opportunity to effect the game and put up those numbers. Second, he has totally transformed his body this off season. This will allow him to be more effective over all of those minutes rather than just the first half. I expect this will allow him to finish faster and stronger as the roll man, allowing him to be more efficient in the P-n-R and around the rim. (I'm looking for +55% shooting around the rim he was around 53% with us last year) Finally, he will know the enitre playbook and have sets designed specifically for him. Cj said last year he knew maybe half or two thirds of the playbook and was able to accomplish some pretty amazing feats. Familiarity and design should give him an extra boost next year. Around the league the reason for pessimisim about the Blazers comes from the unknown of how good Jusuf really can be. Can he become a top-5 center in the league next year? Time will tell, but I think the reasons to be optimistic are clearly there and he has the chance to put up some numbers that will suprise people.
agreed, but then you also have to take into account that he was out of shape, somewhat injured, and didn't know the plays.
I'm just praying to God that Nurkic stays healthy. Period. We have a long history of centers breaking down in Portland and I am sick of it.
We have a long history on this board of giving the tar and feathers treatment to people who tempt the fates by daring to say things like that.
Definitely a lot more reasons to be optimistic about Nurk. This guy is 5 years away from being in his prime. He might have snuck up on a few teams last year, but I doubt very many. He's so big and has such an impact on the way Portland played--if you didn't know about him after seeing him dismantle Denver you just weren't paying attention.
I have suggestion for this thread: Why not take one of the YOU TUBE vidios at a time of Nurk and team, and have our "expert" basketball minds comment on how Stotts will use Nurk and the team in the up comming season. Nurk's feel for the game is outstanding and his passing is second only to Walton or Sabbas. This team has greatness in its grasp I believe. (I would start this off, only it has taken me about ten minuets to type this and I am teck challenged) It is a good way to get your Blazers fix during the off season.
Nurk looks like a legit player, but no, 19 games isn't much of a sample size to base anything on. Hopefully he stays healthy and whatever game planning team's do, he has a counter.
Maybe yes, maybe no. In the league he played in before he played in the NBA, he had a PER of 40!!! Also, some college players don't play much more than 19 games in a season.
