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Nurkic Gives Portland Legitimate Big Three

By Spencer Gordon

Mar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) drives to the basket during the second half in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) drives to the basket during the second half in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) drives to the basket during the second half in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) drives to the basket during the second half in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Moda Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

There has always been the question in Rip City about who would step up and become the final piece of the “Big Three.”

Tuesday’s Game gave us that answer.

Jusuf Nurkic, in just one month of playing for Portland, has become the final piece of a big three in Portland.

Not only has he exceeded expectations, but he has helped carry Portland to the (tied) best record in the NBA in March. The Spurs have the same record, but Portland beat them this stretch at San Antonio.

Must Read: The Best Nurkic Nicknames

In all of the columns and other fan interaction sites out there, the main plea for Portland has been to sign a big man. Since Bill Walton led Portland to it’s first and only title in 1977, the want and need for a big man has been the motto.

Portland picked Sam Bowie over Michael Jordan because they wanted a big man. The Blazers picked Greg Oden over Kevin Durant because they wanted a big man. The theme is clear here, when Portland has a big man, they thrive and become and electric NBA team.

If you think about the best teams in Portland’s history, there was a big man in the middle to anchor them. Walton is obviously the most accomplished, but Kevin Duckworth and Arvydas Sabonas helped lead Portland to some deep runs in the playoffs.

Now let’s admit, calling Nurkic the Portland savior is still too early. However, we as Rip City will need to determine what bar set for him.

Would a birth in the finals make him a legend? Would just a first round upset win be enough?

Mar 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) huddles up with teammates against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) huddles up with teammates against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

No Matter What, We Love Nurk

No matter what the final goal is, we must admit that for these first two months of having the Bosnian beast, it has been one hell of a ride.

Neil Olshey’s deal looks better and better every day. Not only that, but the Blazers get Nurkic for one more year on his minimal contract. This means that we have another year to try and clean up the mess that was the 2016 Summer before we have to worry about re-signing the Bosnian Beast.

No matter what happens in the postseason, Portland is ready to cheer on Nurkic for a long time. There are many Rip City supporters, including RCP, that think he is the final ingredient to a “Big Three.”

What do you think Rip City, does Portland’s current Big Three get you excited about the future? Or is there one more move out there that needs to be done before the Blazers make that next step.

Let us know in the comments below.

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