We knew this team would not be as good defensively with Nurk out, but to me the offense has also looked much worse. Kanter's offensive numbers are good, and the teams still scores, but it does not pass the eye test. The Blazers do not look good without Nurk. The success of the team in the playoffs now depends on either Hark or Aminu having a good game. That is scary.
We all knew this when Nurk went down. Kanter cannot guard the PnR, which is what every team goes to in crunch time in the 4th quarter. But we literally knew this season was over when Nurk went down. The only thing we can do now is figuring out how to salvage a few wins or even a series.
Nurk's points seemed to fit in the middle of the PnR and blend with his passing. Kanter reminds me more of the Sarge days when we dump the ball in the post and everyone stands around. Kanter does find spot up shooters when he gets doubled, but the flow isn't the same.
It's not really fair to gauge Kanter or Hood as a fit until they have some real chemistry with the team...it's still a work in progress...in the meantime they both seem to be quick studies but you don't build a Nurk Dame pick and role game overnight or expect 20 pts from Rodney yet
Plus with Nurk out they basically reverted back to the last 2 years where the lack of outside shooters was evident unless we had 3 guards in there. (Which when we did we got killed on the boards) The flow has been bad, and even when it is is good....... the shooters miss. There was one sequence in the first quarter last night (5 minute mark) that was painful to watch. Kanter was double teamed and he passed out to a wide open Harkless at the 3 pt line, who immediately passed back inside to Aminu.......... who never ended up getting a good shot. Wasted possessions like that can't happen in the playoffs. Every possession counts. Aminu, Hark and Collins will all be left wide open in the playoffs.
I don't agree with this at all. Kanter has been passing out very well. He is also a much better threat to score IMO. As soon as the ball goes inside to him defenses have to either double or take him scoring easily. Even last night you watched McGee have to guard Kanter even when he didn't have the ball. Opened up huge lanes and Harkless took advantage of the Lakers. Then the Blazers went with Curry and he lit them up also. Turner was not hitting shots but if he was hitting those 10 foot turnaround jumpers that game would have been a blowout. Aminu was blanked. Collins was blanked as well as Layman. If any of those guys just hits average they roll that team. The Blazers have plenty of outside shooters.
I hope you are right. We will need either Aminu, Hood, Harkless or Jake to have good shooting nights every game. (Probably two of them) We can't play Dame, CJ, and Curry more than a few minutes together against the Jazz.
We lost the 2nd or 3rd best player on the team. Of course it will be a struggle. It's no reason to give up though.
Just don't eat anything for a couple of days and then stand up really fast after you've been laying on the couch. Easy as that.
