Questions at center:
Jusuf Nurkic is the de facto starter as a good third option offensively, a solid rebounder, and a decent rim protector. Thus far, he is averaging a double-double, scoring 16.7 points and nabbing 11.7 rebounds per game. Within six feet, he has lowered opponents’ field goal percentage by 7.8 percent.
And while this is all well and good when starting games, Nurkic has problems staying on the floor in crunch time against small-ball groups. His lack of mobility can cause him to get burned on the perimeter, leave shooters open, or lag behind in transition.
Against a very fast-paced Los Angeles Lakers team, Nurkic was benched in favor of the more mobile Zach Collins. Against the San Antonio Spurs, Nurkic was also off the floor.
The only game that Nurkic finished was one that he probably shouldn’t have – against the Washington Wizards. Throughout the end of regulation and in overtime, he was burned over and over on pick-and-pops by Markieff Morris.
Collins may be the best option at the five to end games against anything other than a traditional center – which are becoming an extinct species in the league.
The 20-year-old is less polished offensively, but he can feasibly stretch the floor. He shot 31 percent from deep last year; meanwhile, Nurkic still has yet to hit a three in his career. And when the game gets tighter in the final minutes, the Blazers will need as much space for Dame and CJ as possible.
But where Collins can really make his presence known is on defense. In fact, he is actually grading out as a very good rim protector so far this season, lowering opponents’ field goal percentage by a whopping 21 percent. In the fourth quarter of the Lakers game, Collins swatted two shots and was a +5.0.
Ultra-small-ball?
During the Washington game, Al-Farouq Aminu logged a couple minutes at center in overtime alongside Maurice Harkless and Nik Stauskas.
The idea didn’t seem to change much for the game, but this is still an ultra-small-ball look I’d like to see the Blazers utilize a bit more. Perhaps Aminu could work as a safety on defense, a la Draymond Green, while providing Portland with one of its best outside-shooting lineups.
Of course, Aminu probably isn’t a strong enough rim protector to clean up the mistakes Stauskas, Lillard, and McCollum may make on the perimeter. But still, this group may be able to make an occasional stop and outscore their opponents.