I don't really disagree with that last season, he averaged 18.5 FGA/100-possessions. This season it's 14.7. That's 3.8 FGA less. His FGA/game have dropped from 9.0 to 7.6 those are significant drops. trouble is, Portland has four 6'3 guards with good-great handles that all have higher usage rates. But only one of thos guards has an assist rate over 20%. And that happens to be the lead guard that Billups wants to run more off the ball...and is also the player on the team most adept at getting the ball to Nurkic in good scoring positions
For bjg centers like Nurk, todays game the way its played makes it tough to dominate unless they can shoot 3’s or have a post power game. Id like to see them run more, back to the hoop down low plays for him.
We have a sample size of his entire playing career, he is into year 8 and having his health is not going to make him all of a sudden pass the ball magically better or gain post moves. Players at this stage of their career are more often than not - what their stats tell us they are. Can there be exceptions? Sure. Is it likely? Not at all. A good gm will look at nurk, add his ongoing motivation swings and will be more than justified in assuming he is an above average defensive big without the speed, skill and motivation to be an above average offensive big. He is a role player.
for example, gobert averages 15 pts on 7 fga, thats 72% fg if we go by analytics, hes surely their most efficient option and one may ask, why dont they give him 20 fga or even 30 fga per game, it would be better than give it to mitchell, conley, clarkson etc, it makes all sense in the world... but the reality is that gobert has no offensive game and you just cant run the same plays for him over and over and over... thats why i dont believe in analytics and unlike gobert, nurk can score in multiple ways, not so efficient obviously, but hes the weapon blazers have and utah jazz dont have... i dont believe mid range jumper is inefficient shot, if you can make that shot, its good shot and both dame and cj mccollum are good mid range jumpers, if not excellent and id like to see them shoot that shot more my whole point is that if you can score, doesnt matter from where, you should shoot, dont look at the analytics
if theres no good deal for nurk this summer, 1-year deal with the lakers could be done im not sure if they can pull long term deal this summer, they would need to lose a lot of salary or to be precise, they would need to trade westbrook
He's not good enough to complain because of his stubborn refusal to play like a big strong post player. Instead he seems to think he's a quick agile forward. He's not. When he gets the ball on offense he plays out of control. On rolls he could just plant himself when the lane isn't there, gather, and dominate. Same when he catches in the post. Size up the defense and make a strong move. He can do these things. Why won't he? It's almost like he plays scared. Did the adults he played against as a teenager damage his psyche by stuffing him unless he out quicked them? I think Nurk could be dominant. It's so frustrating to watch sometimes. And it's 100% on him, and nobody else. I have to say I absolutely love his defense when he's locked in, helping up top then getting back cutting off angles. It's beautiful.
“Nurkic tries not to pout, but he’s doing a lousy job of faking it. Nurkic opened the season as a starter, predicting he would be a beast, with the bold belief he could lead the NBA in rebounding. Now? Reality bites, as Nurkic sits on the bench, his shattered goals as sad as a lost puppy. When given minutes, instead of busting his tail, Nurkic acts too cool for school, feigning disinterest that prevents him from chasing down a rebound.” —Feb 2017 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.denverpost.com/2017/02/03/denver-nuggets-pouting-players/amp/
We don't. Others were implying as much. I'm trying to make sense out of how someone can make the case that Nurk is playing well and yet another coaching staff isn't using him right.
Nurk is upset with his role? I'm upset with Nurk's roll. It's embarrassing to watch his effort and a shame he is wearing a Blazer uniform. Blazer fans appreciate a work ethic. Lucas Williams Kersey Grant ....and why fans are loving Little because even if he has an off night, it's not for lack of heart.
