We all know the success of this season depends on the Blazers becoming at the very least slightly above average on defense. The tools are there, but tools need someone to wield them. I have zero confidence that Stotts is capable of imprinting any kind of defensive mindset on the team or designing any nuanced defensive schemes. It's going to take someone on the floor. Nurkic's ability to summon his inner Rasheed Wallace and become the vocal leader on the defensive end is our only hope, and it falls on him by default. Dame and CJ are the leaders but they'll be too busy trying to not get torched by their man. It's going to have to come from the front court. A guy in the back barking out sets and moving his teammates around like chess pieces. Covington? Too new. Zach? I'm not convinced he's even an NBA player yet. Melo? Lol. It's all on Nurk for better or worse. He needs to wipe that goofy "just happy to be there" grin off his face and get serious. And that hair? Please cut it off, no one can take you seriously when you look like a pineapple. I'm calling this the X-factor of the season. Can Nurk become a defensive floor general. If not, it's going to be lots of ugly games where we need Dame to be superman on offense to have a chance of winning, and another disappointing playoff exit (if we make the playoffs at all).
Agreed its all about Nurk! But I'll add we need the pre-injury Nurk that had a strong, smooth, reliable post game. If we can count on him for easy buckets it will open up things a lot.
I've always said, this team will never fulfill its potential until they make Nurk the focal point of the offense creation. Will that happens with Stotts, Lillard and CJ at the helm? Almost no chance. We have been getting away from letting Nurk create for others little by little every year and I don't expect this year to be any better in regards to ball movement. We don't believe in easy baskets, cuts or anything other than ISO. That is why Nurk and the Blazers will ultimately fail. Of course, I hope I'm wrong but there's just too much evidence to suggest otherwise. Want Nurk to be engaged more defensively? Get him involved in the offense. It's really that simple.
