By Giorgos Efkarpidis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nurkic has emerged as a distinguished member of the European NBA elite. He is not just a facilitator but the man in the middle of the paint for the Blazers, who are turning heads in the West.
And he believes that if the team stays healthy, then the sky is the limit. And while he is enjoying the ride, here’s what he had to say about himself, the Blazers, his former teammate Nikola Jokic and the new generation of NBA stars.
This is going to be your first complete season in Portland and last year you were injured before the playoffs started. Are you ready to help put this team over the top?
“I mean, it’s going to take a lot more. Everybody needs to stay healthy, not just me. We’re in a great spot. We’re excited about what we have and the way we play, and we just have to continue to do that”.
You emerged as the best front-line player for your team and you were a great fit since the start. Why is this such a great match?
“It’s about the players we have on our team. We make every sacrifice necessary to win. I might not score 30 but you have two guards who can score 30 any night and they make the game easier for us”.
Talk to me about your former teammate, Nikola Jokic. You guys have a special relationship. Tell us something about the “Joker” that most of us don’t know.
“Sh*t. I mean besides basketball you guys probably know everything. They may not be winning but he’s playing great. The way “Joker” plays everyone might be surprised because he does it in slow motion but he’s a really smart player”.
You guys are two of the top big men in the league. If you take into account players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kristaps Porzingis, do you think that there is a new era of European players ready to take over the league?
“It’s really tough to say new era. You had Drazen Petrovic and those guys that played before us they didn’t have the chances that we have, and I feel that the more opportunities we have, the more we’ll show”.