https://www.nba.com/game/phx-vs-por-0012300032/box-score
Nurkic looking great in his return to Portland against his predecessor Deandre Ayton. Passing the ball really well, playing physically and setting good screens.
by p0tatoman
@National Basketball Association
30 Comments
Nurk is pretty good when he’s not hurt, out of shape or pouting.
Portland fans talked about this guy like he was garbage
Big day for white European centres scoring 17 points and recording at least 6 rebounds and at least 4 assists, exactly one block and two steals in the first half of a preseason game while only missing two shots.
Dominurkic
##1st half stats:
**Nurkic**
17 points (4/5 fts, 3/5 2pt, 1/1 3pt)
8 rebounds (3 offensive rebounds)
5 assists
2 steals
1 block
2 fouls
**Ayton**
5 (1/2 fts, 2/4 2pts)
5 (0 offensive rebounds)
2
1 block
2 fouls
4 minute differential (nurk playing more)
I was not familiar with his game. Didn’t expect to see bro run the break and dribble the ball lmao
had a great 2nd quarter defensively as well, affected a lot of shots at the rim. very impressive. His DHO and Outlet passing game is way better for this team. KD loves moving off ball out of those actions, had a fake DHO pop out for a midrange jumper that looked like they’d been playing for years together. And Book and Beal love doing the same type of actions.
StagnAyton
Jokes aside he actually fits PHX nicely, he’s not asked to do too much and he’s always been a good passer in space
as someone who was an ayton believer and wanted us to hang on to him this year, it’s so refreshing having a center with some playmaking and dribbling ability.
seeing nurk come up with a board and dribble up the court for a transition KD bucket was a breath of fresh air compared to an Ayton board followed by him holding the ball, looking for CP3, and the suns slowly bringing the ball up and letting the defense get set.
i was told over and over for YEARS here that nurk was ass and isn’t an “average starting center”.
lolllll RemindMe! 6 months
Nurk alert.
Ayton will be out of the league after this contract.
Denver traded the wrong big man. Smh
Successor not predecessor
Edit: you people are fn stupid
I really hope they both succeed. Ayton needed a change of scenery. I hope he does not miss his opportunity and I hope Nurk brings some physicality to Phoenix.
He fits great with them
Very excited about this team. I know lack of health will likely be our downfall, but it’s exciting to think of the possibilities.
Calm down Suns fans… It’s preseason. Don’t forget you lost to the fucking 36ers in preseason.
And ppl thought they got worse after the trade cause of defense when ayton has the worst motor in the league and was checked out being the 4th option
Nurkics passing will make the offense so much more dynamic
Yeah, Ayton sucks on both ends. Always has, always will.
Wow this is looking soooo bad for Portland lmao…I was told that Nurkic is a negative asset and Ayton is the crown jewel in their “haul” for Dame?
Ayton doesn’t wake up for a playoff game vs. the MVP, why would he for a preseason game?
It’s so funny how people apply the ‘it’s only preseason’ reasoning to some things and not others
Everyone was saying how terrible he was and he is a negative asset. But the truth is he isn’t THAT bad (albeit injured and underperforming that past couple seasons). But he is what fits well for PHX, a big that can pass well. If he can stay healthy then he can be perfectly fine, if not productive, in PHX
UnmotivAyton
I remember when he was on the Nuggets and couldn’t believe they had two centers who could pass so well. He should thrive as a point center
Hate to break it to you guys it’s one game
As a Nurk fan I’d love it if he balled out for y’all but he’s not a massive dribbler lol. Great screens though yes consistently and definitely pass.
Nurk is better than Ayton but he gets injured a lot.