Absolutely not. Dame is the engine that makes this whole thing work. Something underrated about Dame this year is that his decision making has been spot on, everything he does is just so on point compared to years past even if it doesn’t directly show up on the box score. Nurk is far and way the second most important though. He should be in the conversation for all defensive team, but it will be hard while he’s in Portland to get the same recognition. Also he is still clearly behind Gobert in terms of best defensive center.
I completely disagree about Gobert. Nurk is better. He moves so much better than Gobert it’s ridiculous. Gobert is a little longer but that’s it.
Whenever I watch a Jazz game Gobert is basically a factor on every defensive possession. Nurk can be, but he’s inconsistent and sometimes makes lazy reads.
Definately moved himself into the upper ranks of centers this year. He's had some great games against difficult frontcourt players as well.
Two guys that Nurk always struggles against: Whiteside and Gasol. Basically guys that have the length but also the weight to contest him. Even against Gobert Nurk is hit or miss since he can push Gobert around.
No he is not, but he is one heck of a player, and still developing. His, and the Blazers, future is bright.
No. he is not. But he is a great facilitator and I wish coach will run the offense more through him. He has all the tools and he is still very young.
I think its Dame, but its not as far as it used to be. Also I think what is amazing about the emergence of Nurkic this year is that Dames perfectly willing to take a step back and let Nurk, CJ, Hood!!!, Layman etc get theirs when they’re having good games. Outside of CJ the last couple years I dont think theyve had that. I think Dame is still the guy who if he decided to could take over a game in an instant, he’s just not having to do that as much this year.
Last year's playoff proved to Dame that ... if he wants success, he needs to learn to delegate. I'm confident that the NO scenario won't happen again this year. If CJ and Dame can't score, Stotts needs to ride other horses and Dame/CJ MUST freaking accept it.
All I see is that Nurk pretty much dominates every game he’s in these days. Teams don’t know how to deal with him at this point.