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

5. Stay healthy

Jusuf Nurkic hasn’t had the best track record in terms of health. To once again quote Hoops Habit editor-in-chief Gerald Bourguet: “…we can’t gloss over Nurkic missing 20 games, 60 games and then another 17 games through the first three years of his career.”

Considering how much the Portland Trail Blazers improved with him on the floor, everyone is expecting a breakout year for the Bosnian Beast as he prepares to play his first full season with Rip City. While he’s certainly capable of becoming a staple in the Blazers’ system, his success will largely be based on his health rather than his actual skill.

That’s why it’s so good to hear that Nurkic tirelessly worked to lose 35 pounds this summer. By alleviating himself of 10 percent of his body weight from last season, he will hopefully lower the strain on his lower torso, thereby reducing the chances of re-injuring his leg.