Jusuf Nurkic entered this season expecting to have an expanded role under new coach Chauncey Billups. If Monday night’s 121-107 loss to Golden State was any indication, the Portland Trail Blazers center is getting his wish.
Nurkic, in 22 minutes, scored 15 points with 10 rebounds and five assists at the Moda Center. He also turned the ball over five times. Not good. But the overriding point here is that Nurkic was given many opportunities to handle the ball on offense and he was able to display a wide variety of skills.
‘It’s fun,” said Nurkic, who left last season upset with his role under former coach Terry Stotts.
Maybe the most intriguing aspect of Nurkic’s game came from three-point range. Through the natural flow of the offense, the ball found its way into Nurkic’s hands beyond the three-point line and he didn’t hesitate to shoot. Nurkic made 2 of 4 threes to demonstrate that last year’s 12 of 30 (40%) showing might not have been a fluke.
Certainly, making threes at a high clip would be a bonus. But his main objectives are to protect the rim, score inside and facilitate.
Nurkic said that unlike last season, he is in great shape but added that he must keep working on his conditioning in order to produce at the level expected of him this season.
“They are asking a lot of me and I’m happy for it,” Nurkic said. “Both ends. Defense and offense. So, to be able to do all of that stuff I need to be in great, great shape. So, I’ll keep working on that to be out there.”
Billups has emphasized getting more paint touches this season. That would entail getting Nurkic the ball inside more often. The first-year head coach said he thought the team did a solid job in that area Monday but could still improve. As for the type of game Nurkic played, Billups appeared pleased.
“That’s kind of what we want out of Nurk, at least for right now, for sure,” Billups said. “Then we can start moving him around as he gets a little more comfortable.”
Damian Lillard said he expects Nurkic to thrive in the new offense.
“I think with this offense, it’s going to see more opportunities for him,” Lillard said. “Not just as a scorer but him being in a playmaker position. He’ll have an opportunity to show everything that he can do.”
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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