Portland Trail Blazers: Who will lead each statistical category in 2022?

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Blocks per game – Jusuf Nurkic

As mentioned earlier, Nurkis will be looking to bounce back this season after an up and down 2021. He is a great defender, who although isn’t an elite shot-blocker, can make plays at the rim and out on the floor. Because of his seven-foot-two wingspan and great hands, Nurk can use his timing and feel to block shots out of the hand.

Nurk is still a very good shot blocker, with a block percentage that sits in the top 30 percent of big men for his entire career. He may not make the big highlight plays in transition that some other bigs do, but with his huge body and good timing he has averaged 1.4 blocks per game for the Blazers in just only 27 minutes a night. This equates to around 1.9 blocks per game over per 36 minutes.

Nurk, when he comes into the season in his best shape, like what we saw in the regular season bubble in 2020, can be an even better shot-blocker than his numbers suggest. And, with a new defensive scheme that puts him in better positions on the floor, he can maybe be part of a plus NBA defense.

Nurkic will likely lead the Blazers in blocks next season, slightly ahead of excellent help defender Covington.