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Portland Trail Blazers: 2017-18 player grades for Jusuf Nurkic

By Ty Delbridge

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 27: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 27: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 27, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Strengths

Nurkic is at his best for the Blazers when he is down low near the basket. He is the best post-up player on the team, and his big body is hard for defenders to stay in front of. When he is engaged, Nurkic is a dominant rebounder on both ends of the floor. He put up a career-high 27 double-doubles this season. After a slow start to the season, Nurkic really came alive in the second half of the season.

Nurk took 580 shots this season that were less than five feet from the basket. According to Cleaning The Glass, Nurkic shot 57 percent of his shots this season near the rim. He has the skill to score with a hook shot or turnaround, and can also get by his guy and score.

Nurkic is very skilled in the pick-and-roll and is hard to stop when he is rolling to the basket with a full head of steam. He benefits tremendously by playing with guards like Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Nurkic uses his massive frame to set screens, and it usually creates space for an open jump shot or an area for him to find the open spot to roll to. Nurkic was eighth in the league in screen assists this season with 291. He shot 54.3 percent from the field in the pick-and-roll.

When the Blazers are going to him down low, it opens up the offense for everyone else because defenses have to send help to Nurkic down low. He is a willing passer and has the passing skill to find the open teammate.

On the defensive end, Nurkic was one of the best rim protectors in the league this season. He was 10th in the NBA in total blocks with 111. He was second in contested 2-point shots with 774 contests. Even if Nurkic didn’t block a shot, he was at least bothering shot attempts.

At 7’0″, 280 pounds, Nurkic has a ton of talent on both ends of the floor, and when he has it going for the Blazers, they are a completely different team that is hard to beat.

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