FOTO: Fadeaway World
This content is taken from an article by Brandon Duenas for Bright Side of the Suntranslated into Italian by Marco Marchese for Around the Game.
This article is not based on a sample of just 6 games played. It’s not even about aiming for an easy goal after an arduous challenge. This is the mere reality of the rotations of the God Centers Phoenix Sunswhich cannot be based on the results obtained from match to match. Could this be an already well-known discussion? No praise expected: the Phoenix Suns have a big man problem. The issue was already explored in depth in the summer. And many of those doubts remained even in the Regular Season matches. In the past it has been asked: can the Suns win an NBA title with Jusuf Nurkic as a Center? Although the small sample of 6 games provided for tough challenges, being swept away in the Playoffs last season certainly left a bad taste in the mouth. Certain trends persist in limiting how the Suns can face certain types of teams – as seen recently. Seeing the persistence of certain limits can be a wake-up call, but credit must be given to the changes recently made by coaches Mike Budenholzer – which can be an encouraging symptom. But all is not lost for a team currently at 5-1 and who could have been comfortably at 6-0.
FOTO: Bright Side of the Sun
Nurkic finished with 2 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in 15 minutes – 1/6 from the field, 0/2 from the perimeter, 0/1 from the free throw line – in the win against the Los Angeles Lakers last Monday. He had a nightmare evening and the Arizona franchise was in trouble every time the Bosnian was on the field. As a result, the Veteran Center Mason Plumlee he remained on the court for 26 minutes. The Suns have a -11.3 Advanced Net Rating when Jusuf Nurkic is on the court:
- Con Nurkic (in 283 possessi fin qui): 106.4 Offensive Rating, 109.5 Defensive Rating = -3.1 Net Rating
- Senza Nurkic (in 326 possessi fin qui): 116.9 Offensive Rating, 108.8 Defensive Rating = +8.1 Net Rating
Some numbers speak for themselves. The statistic in the following clip must have been even worse watching the live performance on Monday night. The plus/minus it may not always be so accurate, but it certainly was on this occasion.
Glaring stat of the first half, as many have pointed out:
Jusuf Nurkic: -21 in 10 minutes
Mason Plumlee: + 23 in 14 minutes— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) October 29, 2024
The Phoenix Suns need their big men to perform 3 main tasks:
- High intensity (rebounding, stealing the ball and clearing the paint);
- Limit errors (in aiming at the rim and in limiting the number of turnovers);
- Don’t be a defensive liability (testing plays and communicating with teammates);
This is the minimum for a Center on this roster. Trying to keep his game simple for as long as possible. Mason Plumlee did just that against the Lakers, and it’s why he took precedence over Nurkic. Observe Coach Bud while making corrections in the initial phase of the season it was important, having understood what the real problem was against the yellow-purple. The situation is certainly not rosy for the Bosnian.
Mike Budenholzer on going with Mason Plumlee over Jusuf Nurkic in the 2nd half: “There’s different versions of going with the hot hand. Defensively, energy and all those things, I thought Mason had a really big, positive impact on the game, so we kind of rolled with him” pic.twitter.com/A3jJ0S8TzU
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) October 29, 2024
Therefore, the starting lineup it was a disaster compared to the rest of the most used quintets. And it’s frustrating. Of course, the limited sample of games in question must always be kept in mind. But it doesn’t matter, the Suns starting five can’t afford to play that badly.
Overall picture
The Phoenix Suns have only one goal in mind, and that is to win the NBA title. Mat Ishbia and his staff have made it abundantly known that they have done so all-in on this team, and that there is no consolation prize. Jusuf Nurkic could be THAT extra player in the Playoffs? Not many people believe that, and there’s no evidence to suggest it even when looking at his postseason performances. The Arizona franchise needs to add another reliable Center to the roster, which makes them completely different, whether it complements the Bosnian or replaces him completely. There is no perfect big man available to the Suns who can completely meet their needs. The Second Apron it greatly limits their maneuvering options, forcing them to be creative in the market. Devin Booker he stated that the team will rally around him, as is expected of him, being a high-class teammate. That said, winning cures all ills. If Nurkic’s problems consistently influence the Suns’ progress, the situation could change drastically.
Nurkic should react and implement solid stretches in the Regular Season, as he did last season. He has shown that he can influence matches towards victories with his presence on the parquet – an undeniable factor, however. The problem is that it is not known which evenings will be the successful ones and whether he will still be capable of being decisive. Returning to the main topic, these are the characteristics of a winning Center. Mason Plumlee, and also Very Ighodarothey will have to be ready to take the field, as the chances could be many from now on.
