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Jusuf Nurkić ranks at No. 69 on SI’s Top 100 NBA players list

By Nate Mann

Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard CJ McCollum Jusuf Nurkic(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard CJ McCollum Jusuf Nurkic(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Sports Illustrated published part of their Top 100, which ranks the best NBA players, on Monday. Jusuf Nurkić cracks the initial list.

The Crossover made a list of the top 100 NBA players, which is always met with some pushback and angry fans. Only Nos. 51-100 are public, with Nos. 31-50 coming Sept. 12.

The ranks of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum aren’t available yet, but both guards are almost certainly in the top 30.

Jusuf Nurkić came in at No. 69, sandwiched between Cody Zeller and Myles Turner.

How the list was made

Before we take a closer look at his ranking, let’s review the guidelines this list was built on. Rob Mahoney, a co-creator of the list, explained the process in a separate article.

A few major points he touched on:

  • Each player is evaluated for solely the 2017-18 season
  • They are evaluated independent of team situation
  • Taste is used in comparing players with different playstyles (i.e. guard vs. center)

Where Nurk lands in the rankings, it’s easy to make comparisons. He’s by two other big men in Zeller and Turner.

Cody Zeller vs. Myles Turner vs. Jusuf Nurkic

The Charlotte center earns his spot because of indispensability. The Hornets performed significantly better in games Zeller played in (33-29 with, 3-17 without).

The arrival of Dwight Howard may dwindle his minutes, but Ben Golliver (also a co-author of the list) believes Zeller lineups will outplay Howard lineups.

Nurkić averaged similar stats to Zeller across the board. Ignore his time in Denver, however, and the gap becomes much larger.

Myles Turner ranks at No. 68, barely ahead of Nurk once again.

Related Story: Jusuf Nurkić not a top-10 center?

Golliver doubts Turner is ready to become Indiana’s top option with Paul George gone. Low-post weaknesses and physical inadequacies delay him from reaching the level that Karl-Anthony Towns and Kristaps Porzingis are already at.

Nurkić’s stat explosion after the midseason trade demonstrates his ability to mesh with Portland.

Turner, on the other hand, has yet to play without PG13. His numbers may fall off with more attention from opposing defenses now.

Additionally, the Bosnian Beast enters the prove-it year with his rookie contract expiring.

Next: Damian Lillard talks Carmelo Anthony at annual picnic

To earn a payday and climb the rankings, he must avoid foul trouble, play consistent defense and stay healthy.

By the end of the 2017-2018 season, both Sports Illustrated and NBA 2K18 will realize their mistake and reverse the rankings of Turner and Nurkić.