Portland Trail Blazers: 5 goals for Jusuf Nurkic in 2017-18

Here’s a list of five goals for Jusuf Nurkic as the Portland Trail Blazers look to begin the 2017-18 NBA season.

Jusuf Nurkic has been a welcome addition to the Portland Trail Blazers since being acquired via trade back in February. Playing 20 out of the last 27 games of the season last year, Nurkic averaged 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.3 steals per game, helping the Blazers go 14-6.

Then he broke his leg.

The Blazers finished the regular season strong, nevertheless. In the last 27 games, Rip City went 18-9, ending the season with a 41-41 overall record. However, the late-season addition of Nurkic and related postseason push ended up pitting Portland in an uphill battle against the Golden State Warriors in the first round, which ended in a sweep by the eventual champions.

Hypothetically, no one is exactly sure whether Nurkic’s presence in the postseason would have made a difference to the outcome, but there’s simply no denying the positive effect Nurkic has had on the team since his arrival. This year, he has the opportunity to right those wrongs and be there for his team when it needs him most.

So without further ado, here are five goals for Jusuf Nurkic in 2017-18.