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Nurkić Down: Huge Injury Calls for Reinforcements

By Isaiah De los Santos

Mar 28, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) reacts after scoring 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) reacts after scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) looks to shoot against Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) and forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) looks to shoot against Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) and forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the first half of the game at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Vonleh to the Rescue

If Noah Vonleh was ever looking for a way to test himself, the opportunity has not come knocking, but crashing through the door.

The former Indiana big man has earned some praise this season, per ESPN’s Zach Lowe:

"The flashes have appeared more over the past two weeks, including in three straight double-digit scoring games. That doesn’t sound like much, but Vonleh is still just 21. The NBA is hard for young big men who don’t get the ball, and have to cycle through a bunch of rapid-fire decisions on every defensive possession."

Well, now Vonleh has a ripe chance to get the ball in his hands—and the season just happens to be on the line.

He has started the past 30 of 31 games for the Blazers, including being right alongside Nurkić for the duration of his marvelous starting stint.

In those 30 games, Vonleh has only two games with five made field goals. His highest point output was 12 points.

Sporadic playing time is a factor for the unimpressive numbers, though. His playing time in games started ranges from just over seven minutes to 32 minutes. For a developing player who relishes off energy plays—plays that come at just the right movement—trying to establish himself in games can be a daunting task.

But for those energy plays, boy do they get the team rocking.

Vonleh may not have the bruising capabilities of Nurkić, but his athleticism is what can give him the extra edge.

His explosion off pick and rolls lets him finish on any player in his path. His vertical lets him sky for rebounds and start the break with outlet passes to his guards.

Vonleh isn’t the only one who could step up, but he’s in prime position to do so.