This is it in a nutshell. I have been critical of Stotts as of late and need to back off a bit, as I too have seen a transition. The best offense will always be a multifaceted offense. We seem to now have the weapons to provide many different looks, but we cant get predictable. We need to utilize all of these plays mentioned and then some. I likethe idea of using Nurk at the 15 ft high post at times. This can be a very effective offense with a good passing center and wings that slash. This offense has also been proven to be effective during several eras. Marc Gasol is the first player that comes to mind. Sabas There are others im sure. However, this should not be where he is most of the time. Bigs in the paint are in the paint for a reason. Because they dominate it. Mix it up. Keep the defense guessing the next move instead of planning for the predictable.
Nurkic might objectively be the best center in the NBA this season. He’s ranked fourth among centers in DRPM and eighth in ORPM. Jokic is elite offensively, but is ranked 25th among centers in DRPM, which lines up with the eye test. He is not a good defender, at all. Nurkic and Vucevic are the only centers in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive RPM. Vucevic may grade out better overall, but a quick dive into his numbers show quite a contrast in matchups against the western conference. He goes from being a +6 against eastern conference teams to a -1 against the west. Nurkic grades out positive against both. Of course it isn’t a perfect science, but Nurkic has been elite this season and his contract is a joke. He might be the best all around center in the game, and I don’t think he’s done developing. I believe he will add a legit three point shot to his arsenal. And he’s only 24!
Scalma, this is nonsense! Today, Nurk has a 3P% of 11.5 which means that he should not be wasting these shot opportunities if he cares about winning. Swish3 shooting is a talent and should only be done by those who have demonstrated at least 33% success. Nurk is making only about one-third of that minimum. But the Blazer Center swish3 scoring threat is available, as Meyers now leads the Blazers with 46.5%, is scoring 1.47 points per FGA, has an eFG% of 65.2, is making excellent passes and screens, and playing much better defense than Enes, and improving. We need to use the triple Center combination, relying on Meyers for the swish3s. If we increase Meyers 3PA to average 3+ per game, we have the virtues of a varied offense, inside and outside scoring, and fresh legs to get the wins in the season and through the Playoffs.
IDK if Nurk is Portland's 1st, 2nd or 3rd most important player. But similar to when Reggie said the Pacers go as far as Jermaine takes them. Portland goes as far as Nurk takes them imo. CJ & Lillard will always score. Nurk is the factor which makes Portland dangerous.
That's why we need a coach, who can actually see that. Nurk took 8 shots today. C.J. 24. Nurk needs at least 15 shots per game. I don't care about Steven Adams or others centers.
Nurk took two shots after halftime and none after the third. That just can't happen. They started hard trapping Dame, and we countered by dragging our P&R out further, but we have to have more counters to keep Nurk involved down low.
That's what we do with the pick and roll. The minute I see the pick coming closer to half court I know we're doomed.
That kid is growing into understanding what he can do and how he can impact the game - it reminds me a lot of seeing Dame understand how he can manage the game by playing to his strengths and dictate the outcome. We are lucky to have this pair.