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2017 NBA Playoffs Roundup, Day 5: Wall Wills The Wizards, McGee Is Still Good And The MVP Race In A Nutshell

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after making a three point field goal against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) reacts after making a three point field goal against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs
Apr 10, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard chats with injured Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic on the bench during the first half of the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Nurkic Is Portland’s Only Hope

Speaking of Jusuf Nurkic, he’s really the only hope the Portland Trail Blazers have of winning a single game in this series, let alone making things interesting for the No. 1 team in the West.

Rip City did just that in Game 1, ultimately losing by 12 points in a contest that was much closer through the first three quarters. But the fact that Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 75 points on 28-of-54 shooting and Portland still lost did not bode well for the future.

In Game 2, Dame and C.J. went cold, combining for just 23 points on 9-of-34 shooting with nine turnovers, and the Blazers were routed by 29 in a game without Kevin Durant. Suffice it to say Portland needs Jusuf Nurkic back on the floor as soon as possible to keep its season alive.

In 20 games with Rip City, the Bosnian Beast put up 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, but his impact extended far beyond individual numbers. Just look at how much better the Blazers were in his 20 games than they were prior to his arrival (league ranks in parentheses):

  • With Nurkic:  14-6 record (4th), 110.6 Offensive Rating (5th), 105.4 Defensive Rating (12th)
  • Before Nurkic:  23-33 record (21st), 106.5 Offensive Rating (13th), 109.0 Defensive Rating (26th)

As you can see, Nurkic pretty much saved the Trail Blazers’ underwhelming season. He made them fun again and was the biggest reason they even reached the playoffs at all.

His health obviously comes first, but if the Blazers want to delay those summer vacation plans a little longer, they’re going to need Nurkic back on the court to have any prayer in this series.