NBA: DeRozan, 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

NBA: 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

Nov 2, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 29, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) dribbles the ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Mason Plumlee (24) defends in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Jusuf Nurkic

After a stellar, under-the-radar rookie season, all eyes were on Nikola Jokic for the Denver Nuggets. Early on in the new season though, it’s been center Jusuf Nurkic who’s impressed the most.

Nurkic once drew similar praise from the Mile High faithful in his rookie season, but a litany of injuries prevented him from ever building on those early rumblings. Through four games, the Bosnian Bear is averaging 16.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on 51 percent shooting.

He doesn’t spread the floor to three-point range,, his defense, touch and passing skills are nowhere near as refined as Jokic’s game, and he’s got a bit of an attitude on him. But that brute strength and stubbornness to never back down from anyone is also part of what makes Nurkic so much fun to watch.

The Nuggets traded away Joffrey Lauvergne to clear out minutes for that Jokic-Nurkic duo. Getting Jokic back on track will be key for Denver moving forward, but early on, the front office has to like what it’s seen from the Bosnian Bear.