Portland starting center Nurkic out for rest of the regular season.

We probably have to win out.

Portland will still get it.

Y'all get to keep your pick if you miss out?

It was desparetly needed. It wasn't just that we needed a defense first center (I'd classify Nurkic being much more polished offensively than defensively) but we got OPTIONS on offense now. Dame and CJ aren't creating for guys who on normal teams, don't score more than 10 a game. Nurkic rolls to the hoop with force.

Blazers edge had a good article up on the difference between a Nurkic screen and a Plumlee screen. The tl/dr version of that article is that Nurkic sets the screen as a brick wall. He's planted. You have to go around around or underneath cuz you're not fighting through. Plumlee has a thin, athletic body type. He often doesn't fully set the screen and when he does, he's easy to maneuver around. Then when they roll to the basket (or for Nurkic he can pop a juicy J) Plumlee basically needs a clear lane. He has no moves and he's a poor finisher. Nurkic, if you're not a natural paint protector, you're done for when he gets rolling. He bull dozes you.

Just the small things like their screen setting and even body types that help aid the screen have helped this team out. Plumlee honestly wasn't that bad but I despised watching him play 80% of the time.

I expect the Pels to win all the rest of their games honestly except for maybe the warriors. Even then who knows. If only Houston would've beaten them last night

Portland remaining schedule:
vs PHX - W
@Minn - L
@UTAH - L
vs UTAH - L
vs Minn - W
vs Spurs - L
vs Pelicans - L

IT CAN HAPPENN!!!