There’s still time…
The dream of a floor-stretching Jusuf Nurkic isn’t completely dead. We’re only 14 games in. And Nurkic is only 24-years-old and, technically, shooting the three-ball monumentally better he ever has in his career. There’s hope that he continues ascending as the ball continues going in.
And look, Nurkic should have plenty of time to hone his ability as a shooter, because he is more than valuable as a bully down low and some extra firepower alongside the star-studded backcourt.
A Nurkic that can shoot three-pointers, though, that guy gives the Blazers a ton of extra versatility. He and Zach Collins could more easily share the floor together. He could play more with Evan Turner. He becomes a floor spacer for when Dame and CJ want to run a one-four high pick-and-roll.
This single moment from today's game, a forgettable preseason contest, may end up being an important one for the Blazers' season: Jusuf Nurkic hitting a three with relative ease. This would be tremendously helpful. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/DlPwoOwYs6
— Thank you, Dame. (@GoldnerPDX) September 30, 2018
But this type of Nurkic isn’t essential. Not right now.
Nurkic has yet to fulfill the dreams of some of his most starry-eyed observers from deep this season, but that doesn’t mean he can’t one day.