After rumbling to the rack, laying in the shot with ease, and getting fouled in the process, Jusuf Nurkic could not hold in his excitement. As he looked out at the crowd as they created their own rumbling through deafening applause, Nurkic high-fived a fan in the front row. Besides presumably injuring that poor fan, this moment encapsulated what has been unmistakably true of Nurkic in his first few games with the Portland Trail Blazers; he is having fun again.
The last few years in Denver had been a headache for Nurkic. In fact, when google searching, “Jusuf Nurkic happy”, seven of the nine articles that pop up on the first page are prefaced with the word “not”.
After a promising rookie year, his second year was taken away from him because of an injury. Then, with a roster loaded with big men, the Nuggets could not find a rotation that worked for him. Slotted in and out of the starting lineup, or playing next to another 7-foot center, everything was slightly off.
Now 22 years old, in his new role with the Trail Blazers, it is no surprise that he is producing at a heightened level of play. According to a study conducted by the Social Market Foundation, happiness improves productivity on average by 12% and can even improve it by as much as 20%! Nurkic always had the ability he is showcasing as a Trail Blazer, but it’s his fondness for his new role that’s improved his effectiveness. According to The Oregonian, Nurkic nearly said so himself,
“This is the first time after two years I am having fun,”
Nurkic may have found new hope in Portland, but Portland may have also found new hope in Nurkic. What he brings to the basketball court could fill some holes that the Trail Blazers have. Only 1.5 games back of the eighth seed, Nurkic’s ability may lead to a playoff charge.
Jusuf Nurkic plays much better defense than the big man the Blazers previously had. Because of this previous hole and the poor defense of their two guards, they currently sport the 4th worst defense in the league. In the short sample size that is his first 6 games with the Trail Blazers, Nurkic is allowing a field goal percentage of just 48.7 at the rim. If this were to continue over the length of an entire NBA season, it would be right next to defensive stalwart Rudy Gobert who is allowing just 48 percent.
Nurkic is also a large man, a very large man. At nearly 7 feet tall and 300 pounds, he seems to engulf his opponents rather than guard them. Even other large big men like Enes Kanter and Brook Lopez appear smaller when compared to Nurkic.
His large frame is cause for some extra laboring after extensive minutes, but he is still shockingly nimble on the offensive end. In the PNR, he is able to receive the ball and careen into the lane while finishing with a feathery underhand teardrop, which he goes to most often.
He doesn’t have much of a mid-range game yet and has no three-point shot to speak of, but his effectiveness around the basket has been enough for his shooting touch (or lack thereof) not to matter so far. The light touch he possesses has made it so he can at least finish from eight feet in, where he shoots just around league average this season at 54 percent.
The most notable aspect of Nurkic’s game that the Blazers have been able to unlock is his passing ability. Not always a willing passing in Denver, the Blazers’ superstar players seemed to have given him an added incentive to show off his passing prowess. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have a combined field goal percentage of 62 percent after receiving passes from their big man.
This is extremely important for the Blazers offense because of how much the center is involved. Mason Plumlee is one of the best passing big men in the league but provided little else before he was traded to Denver. Nurkic’s ability to sling the rock to players who are already predisposed to cutting off-ball has led to an easy transition. It has also allowed him to average an astounding 4 assists per game.
Another skill he brings to the table is his ability in the post. The Blazers’ offense would often stall when Plumlee could not successfully locate a teammate to pass the ball to. Nurkic will now take the opportunity to take on his defender in the post. He does not have many counter moves or an adequate fade away but he is able to bully defenders on the block with his large size and surprisingly good footwork that should make Blake Griffin envious.
Jusuf Nurkic’s blossoming ability in Portland has been the latest exciting development in what has been a fantastic NBA season. It also opens up the possibility that the first challengers to Golden State in the playoffs will not be an entirely snooze-worthy affair. The Blazers may now have the best chance to steal the 8th seed from Denver. Oh, what poetic justice that would be. C.J. and Dame can easily go for 40 on any given night, and Nurkic’s gift of raunchy gab should draw at least 3-5 karate kicks from Draymond Green.
Even if they fail to reach the postseason, however, this season should not be deemed a failure. Neil Olshey has been able to construct the youngest roster in the league with plenty of above-average NBA talent. Jusuf Nurkic could legitimately become the Blazers’ starting center for years to come AND they were able to nab a first-round pick in the trade that netted him. Nurkic still needs to prove he can remain in shape and play consistent basketball, but as long as he is having fun, look for his production to keep increasing and for the Blazers to keep improving.
