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2 New Offensive Weapons Jusuf Nurkic Gives The Blazers

By Spencer Gordon

Feb 23, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Jusuf Nurkic (27) walk into the locker room past fans during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Jusuf Nurkic (27) walk into the locker room past fans during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. The Trail Blazers won 112-103. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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With the new acquisition of Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers have a new look offense they look to capitalize on

Gone are the days of Mason Plumlee starting the fast break. Instead, its back to fundamental, big man basketball of Nurkic.

It’s a welcome change to a team that has been disappointing us this season, and all signs so far point to Nurkic as a positive step for Portland. The skills he brings to the table could boost the Blazers’ offense to new heights.

As we wait to see whether his interior defense will be enough to help our poor perimeter defense, here are some offensive schemes that Nurkic will look to improve.

Oct 29, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Mason Plumlee (24) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Mason Plumlee (24) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

High Low

Nurkic’s ability to score from nearly everywhere inside the three point line is something the Blazers haven’t had since LaMarcus Aldridge. Coach Terry Stotts must’ve longed for another reliable post shooter, as Plumlee worked on his shot all last summer. Although he wasn’t able to perfect the jump shot, you knew what Stotts was trying to do.

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The high low offense starts with the Center getting the ball at the elbow, or top edge of the key. A center that can shoot a jumper forces the defense to play honestly, meaning that the defender has to leave the basket to honor his shot. When working, this causes headaches for defenses. On one side of the coin, you have to guard the shooter if he’s making baskets. The other side is that you can’t get too far from the basket because you are the last line of defense for your team. If a team can’t risk leaving the basket, usually a nearby perimeter defender will help defend. This is where the Blazers could make their money, as the defender would leave whoever they are guarding open. Hopefully, that defender was guarding one of Portland’s lethal shooters like Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum.

Pick and Roll

The staple of today’s NBA, the Blazers now have a major improvement here. Plumlee did his best, and Ed Davis or Meyers Leonard are too one dimensional to be a threat. In common, all three just can’t seem to set a good screen to free up space.

Not only can Nurkic score on a roll or pop (for a jump shot), the dude can set a gnarly screen. His 280 pound frame has already set some screens that Lillard (noticeably) gets surprised by how much room he has.

This is huge for Portland, as Lillard and McCollum’s scoring ability already cause defensive fits. If Nurkic can screen out a defender effectively, then the Blazers’ offense should be 5 vs. 4 every time. Either ball handler could shoot, pass to a cutter towards the basket, whatever he wants… But it all starts with that initial screen.

Nurkic can change some things folks. As long as he keeps trending upward and provides some interior defense, then there is no reason why Portland shouldn’t keep improving and develop him into a star.

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