Diving into the Portland Trail Blazers Roster: Jusuf Nurkic

It’s time to dive into the Portland Trail Blazers’ Bosnian Beast himself, Jusuf Nurkic.

When the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings on New Years Day, 113-108, Jusuf Nurkic became the first player in NBA history to have five blocks and five steals, while also recording 20 points and 20 rebounds. He finished that game with 24 points, 23 rebounds, seven assists, and those five steals and five blocks.

Let that sink in.. think about all of the great players in the league that never achieved that goal. Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and even LeBron James have not achieved what Nurkic did.

Below are highlights from his historic night:

The Bosnian Beast was drafted 16th overall in the 2014 NBA draft. Nurkic showed flashes of starter potential in Denver while playing for the Nuggets but didn’t get an extended opportunity until the Blazers traded Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second-round pick to the Nuggets for Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick that initially belonged to Memphis.

In twenty games with the Blazers during the 2016-17 season, Nurkic started 19 games and contributed 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game.

The next season, Nurkic was able to be on the team for a full year, starting every game he played (79) and tallying 14.3 points, 9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game.

This season, Nurkic has been fantastic. Starting in 56 games so far, Nurkic has season averages of 15 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, and one steal per contest. A similar stat line to Marc Gasol‘s 2012-2013 DPOY award season: 14.1ppg, 7.8rpg, 4.0apg, 1spg, and 1.7bpg.

For Nurk’s career, he averages 11.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, along with 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals.

It’s obvious Nurkic can do a little bit of everything for this Trail Blazers team. He’s practically a lock for a double-double every time he steps on the floor.  He is one of the strongest centers in the league and imposes his will on the defensive end of the court.

His most undervalued trait? His almost uncanny passing ability from the high post. For a 7 foot tall, 275 pound center to pass as well as he does is pretty rare.

But where could he improve?

I believe Nurkic can become an All-Star center if he can find a consistent jump shot. He gets most of his points working the pick-and-roll game with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, and scoring off offensive boards. If Nurkic can become more dynamic and filter in some pick and pop into his arsenal, he can become a more legitimate threat. He already puts up 15 points per game against defenders who know, 9 times out of 10, he’s rolling to the basket in a pick and roll situation. He uses his size to his advantage when setting screens and catching the ball in the post. If he can keep the defense guessing with a little more pop and a little less roll, he could become a 18-20 points per game scorer.

The Beast is shooting .749 from the free throw line this year, showing promise in his shot, and he has also already shown us that, if left open, he’s willing to shoot a couple shots from 12-15 feet out. If the man from Bosnia can improve on his shot this offseason like I’m suggesting, he could easily become a borderline all-star at worst.

Nurkic has been amazing for the Blazers from the moment he put on the Rip City jersey. At times, he has even looked like the team’s second best player this season. It will be interesting to see if Nurkic can add another level to his play and raise the ceiling of this Portland club.