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Portland Trail Blazers: Anticipating the return of Jusuf Nurkic

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OR - MAY 5: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to plat during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 5: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to plat during the game against the Denver Nuggets during Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers are so close to the return of Jusuf Nurkic. After a slight setback in his recovery, what can we expect when he returns in March?

Unfortunately, Jusuf Nurkic had a slight setback at the start of February when a leg strain set him back a few weeks. It’s not that the injury was serious, but more that Nurk couldn’t use team full contact training to get back to game fitness. The Portland Trail Blazers were never going to rush him back after such a serious injury, so it made sense to hold him out as he continues to work towards game fitness.

It looked as if Nurk’s calf strain wasn’t serious, it did delay his return to fitness but an educated guess would still say he will probably return in the first or second week of March. It couldn’t come any sooner with the team defense really struggling.

Fans first thoughts are probably how Nurk is going to look on the court after such a long layoff. This is a legitimate question after almost a year away from NBA basketball.

The first thing to note is that he has lost weight. This is a real positive. Nurk is a huge guy so the loss of around 10 pounds doesn’t mean that he can’t guard the biggest players anymore, Listed at 280 pounds on basketball reference, if he is around 270 now, he is still one of the biggest players in the league. More importantly that small drop in weight will help him get around the court more and mean his return to the team is that little bit easier.

The presence of Hassan Whiteside means there is no pressure on Nurk minutes wise or performance wise. He can come in as the backup big exactly like a rookie would, play his way into game shape by starting with around 10 – 14 minutes then slowly cranking up from there. If he feels good, then if there is foul trouble or a matchup that doesn’t favour Whiteside, then Nurk can take more spot minutes.

He will only play the five so let’s stop thinking that him or Whiteside will play the four. That isn’t happening.

It’s hard to imagine that Nurk will be able to temper his play-style or aggressiveness. He won’t be able to return until he’s physically ready, so we can only assume that he will go for gold and play his usual aggressive style of play.

Nurk can probably only play one way, and that’s all out. Hopefully this will help the Blazers though, as they have been one of the worst teams in the league on defense in the last two weeks.

His passing will impact the game regardless of his physical presence though. One of the best big man passers in the league, Nurk can initiate offense from the elbow or the post. The Blazers badly need this, as their offense hasn’t been great outside of Damian Lillard and the odd big game from CJ McCollum.

The fight for minutes with Whiteside will be interesting. But as it will take until the end of the regular season for Nurk to get back to full health and full minutes load, then unless the Blazers make the playoffs, we won’t see these two competing for minutes on a nightly basis.

Next. Three reasons the Portland Trail Blazers defense has been terrible. dark

It will also be interesting to see which units Nurkic plays with. Starting off the bench he may play with Caleb Swanigan at the four or Carmelo Anthony. Because of his great defense, Nurk is a good fit with non-defensive players.

There is still no official date for Nurk’s return, but it mustn’t be anymore than a couple of weeks away. This will be the biggest moment of the season so far as the Blazers work to not miss the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Some positive news is exactly what this team needs.