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Blazers Need Nurkić to Solve the Draymond Green Problem

By Isaiah De los Santos

April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates as Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) and forward Maurice Harkless (4) help guard CJ McCollum (3) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates as Portland Trail Blazers forward Noah Vonleh (21) and forward Maurice Harkless (4) help guard CJ McCollum (3) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with guard Shaun Livingston (34) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with guard Shaun Livingston (34) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 121-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The emotional, boisterous forward for the Warriors has set the defensive tone for the series in Game One. The return of Jusuf Nurkić has become more pivotal than ever.

As I watched Draymond Green run up and down the court, running his mouth, I wished a Blazer would take it to him.

C.J. McCollum had some nice finishes on Green, but isn’t comparable in physical stature. Damian Lillard had a nice floater over him, but also got blocked by Green. Noah Vonleh felt Green’s wrath in the third quarter:

Al-Farouq Aminu struggled throughout the game; Moe Harkless, no pushover, just isn’t as strong or as skilled as the forward.

I watched as the ABC crew panned to Jusuf Nurkić — looking dapper as ever — and displayed his stats we all know during the Blazers’ magnificent March.

As Green’s ego grew, Nurkić’s absence really set in. Jawing at opponents is for his own sake, to hype himself up.

The Blazers needed Nurkić to set him straight. I would love to see the Bosnian Beast out there to beast all over the former Spartan.

The seven-foot, 270-lb Bosnian is a match up nightmare for anyone. Nurkić did this to Russell Westbrook, one of the league’s strongest players:

https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/839315991339290624

I want to see Nurk out there to back down Green every single possession. I’d love to see him frustrate him, whether that be blocking him at the rim or out-muscling him for boards; even have him set a strong pick to bring Green back to reality.

But, all of this becomes moot if Nurk can’t suit up to play. From Joe Freeman of the Oregonian:

"“Too early to say,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said, when asked Sunday if Nurkic would play at all in the best-of-seven series. “Hopefully he’ll be back at some point.”"

Nurkić has become more important than ever, assuming an enforcer role Portland has missed for so long. If he’s not ready to go, the Blazers will see more of the same in Game Two—and beyond.

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