This is why you don't get rid of Damian Lillard. His ability to run the pick and roll with Nurkic is key to the success of this team going forward. Watching Nurkic and Dame reminds me of watching Sabonis and Strickland many years ago. I also love the fact that Nurkic finds the guys sitting on the three point line. There was some really nice dimes where he kicked it out to Crabbe or Harkless. We haven't had a big man this good at passing interior and outside since Sabonis. And the funny thing is that we thought Plumlee was an amazing passer for a big man.
Plumlee was a great passer, but I think Nurk is also a great passer. The only difference is that Plumlees passes were all in the system/flo, and had to be exactly as planned. I think Nurk assesses the situation and makes passes that are beneficial and sometimes not exactly as designed.
I like that Nurk is passing to the best shot instead of the best shooter...he finds Crabbe, Mo and Chief open...Plumlee looked to get the ball to CJ or Dame however he could...I think the team will benefit from sharing the rock
He might be. Then again, maybe if Marbury hadn't left Minnesota and stayed with Garnett, we would think very differently about Marbury?
Plumlee's problem was he was passing into a 4 on 5 situation. His man could just play the pass because they knew he couldn't score down low. Nurk succeeds because when he rolls the defender has to play him which then frees up space for everyone else. If Plumlee could score in the post he might have been the better passer, but given he couldn't, I think Nurkic has a much bigger passing impact on the game.
Plums was definitely used differently. Often as a point forward leading the break. Last year we depended on him as our our 3rd ball handler in the playoffs. Which is why they found it necessary to overpay for ET. But the way they are using Nurk seems to make the offense perform........ easier. His passes are easier because he is not dribbling or jumping when he makes them.
Also, most of Plumlee's assists came from the high post, facing the basket, whether on the break or in the half court. A lot of Nurk's come from the low post. Because he's a low post scoring threat, we get a lot more low to high ball movement. That automatically collapses the defense and let's the shooters catch the ball facing their target with their feet set and with their shoulders squared. You always hear about how much better most players shoot in catch and shoot situations. A pass from the low post to the perimeter is the ultimate catch and shoot situation. Feet set, shoulders square, facing your target. For a shooter, it doesn't get any better than that. BNM
Players are taking Nurk passes in rythem and why you seeing good result in our shooting. The one player I see really going to excel is Crabbe with Nurk due he been wide open for shot. Nurk going make everyone better because other teams has to account for him as a threat on offense where Plum they didn't .
I think that is true for any shooter playing with Nurk. They will get better looks in a better position. Crabbe NEEDS someone else to create for him and Nurkic gives us another creator who isn't redundant. The sample size will only be 27 games, but it will be interesting to see if our team 3FG% goes up with the addition of Nurkic. BNM
OK, I just looked it up. Its only been 5 games, so small sample size disclaimer, but in 5 games with Nurkic, the team has shot .420 3FG% (47-112). They have shot at least 40% 3FG% in all five games. That's actually pretty fucking amazing. Our pre-Nurk 3FG% was .359. Again, it's only been 5 games, but going from a team 3FG% of .359 to .420 is HUGE. Not that I expect it to be sustainable, but that's the difference between being the best 3-point shooting team in the league, by a wide margin (SAS is first at .398) and being 17th best. Time will tell how much of this is the Nurk Effect vs. how much is quality of opposition vs. just guys getting hot and being rested after the all star break. Something to keep an eye on. BNM
More good stuff (I know I'm replying to myself, but the more I look into this, the more geeked out I get)... OK, as I said, in all five games with Nurk, the team had shot at least .400 from 3-point range. In 55 previous games, the longest streak of consecutive .400 or better team 3FG% was 2 games (twice - most recently 12/10 and 12/12). As a team, Pre-Nurk, we shot .400 or better 3FG% 14 times in 55 games. Post-Nurk, we're 5 for 5. And, as I mentioned in my previous post: Pre-Nurk team 3FG% = .359. Post-Nurk team 3FG% = .420. Coincidence? Time will tell... BNM
Nurkic's passing reminds me of Bogut. Actually Nurkic's whole game reminds me a little of pre-injury Bogut (less athletic, and better post skills though).
Honestly, when Shaq gives a big man props, you gotta kinda feel good about it. He's not one to give any props to big men unless they're deserved. He did so last night to Big Nurk.
I like that comparison. Nurkic is only 22 though, so hopefully he can improve that socieconomic status.
