Is Whiteside better than a healthy Nurk?

Nurk Fever was a real thing when we first added him, but people forget we lost 3 of our first 4 games he played for us, with the one win coming against Orlando. He got better, but it took some games to adapt. We lost 2 of our first 4 games with Robin Lopez. Same with Mason Plumlee.

Change isn't easy. Whiteside was dinged up in preseason and is really trying to find his way while also playing himself into game shape.

He wasn't great against the Spurs, but to be fair Aldridge had started the season really well (22pts/.533, 27pts/.588). Aldridge went for 15pts/.353. If Collins were healthy that would've been Zach's assignment for much of the game, and Whiteside would have more leeway for team defense.

It does seem like he's dropping a foot or two too much on the pick and roll. It's creating gaps around the perimeter that are one of the reasons teams are getting so many open threes. I'm hoping we make adjustments. Even if he can't adjust, well, it's not like Nurkic wasn't flawed when we got him (really, really terrible around the rim scoring).

I'm really, really grateful to have Whiteside. Forget Nurkic vs Whiteside. We could have Kanter/Leonard instead of Hood/Whiteside right now. Fuck that.

 

What Ive noticed is fans are extremely quick to turn on him and its sad.

 

Dame and Nurk had nearly instant chemistry. Hassan has been in town for almost a month and they still can't get the timing down on P&Rs. Dame doesn't throw lobs, and Hassan doesn't create passing lanes for the pocket pass. They need to figure this out quick.

As for the poll, it's a nobrainer for me. I'll take the guy who doesn't stand around like his feet are nailed to the floor.

 

Right now he doesn’t look like. Still think he’ll improve

 

Our first game just a few minutes into the season I logged on the game thread and your post read.."Skal sucks"...……..at that point, I left the thread thinking pretty much what you just said....sad

 

I was frustrated with his play because I knew he could play better. I wasnt campaigning his "laziness".

 

Well what we do know is the Blazers went after Whiteside before getting Nurkic.

 

Well that's super misleading considering Nurk was only 2 years into his 4 year rookie contract in the summer of 2016 when we had cap space.

 

It wasn't really misleading. He was stating something that is factual.

 

Yeah, sorry for trying to support a BGD bot idea.

 

uhhh...




No.

 

This thread should be titled, "Is there a better center in the NBA than a healthy Nurk?". That would at least be an arguable subject.

 

Close though. Whiteside is the better rebounder but I still think the Bosnian Beast is our starter.

Jokic was the starter at Denver. I don't think Whiteside will start when Nurkic gets back and in game shape. The only question is, will Whiteside pout? Hope not. If he doesn't we're going to have one hell of a team.

 

It's all about context and not facts.
Me? I'm undecided at this time.

 

I don't even think Whiteside is better than Kanter. Kanter was an awesome pick and roll big with Dame. Hassan gets his stats at the expense of the rest of the team. Also think Kanter is better at moving his feet on defense even if Whiteside is a better positional defender.

 

BUMP!

 

Still nope, but he's a good center.