Who the hell is Jusuf Nurkik?
4. Jusuf Nurkic, turnover machine
It's not happening right now for the other half of the (mostly) dead Jurkic pairing. With Kenneth Fariedrejuvenated, Nurkic is hurting for playing time. Perhaps the main reason: his hideous turnover rate.
The Bosnian Beast has coughed it up on 20 percent of the possessions he has finished with a shot, drawn foul, or turnover -- a gargantuan number for a big man. Only 10 guys 6-foot-10 or taller have ever tossed away so many possessions while hoarding as large a share of offense as Nurkic.
No! The "Bosnian Beast"?!?!?! Ho Ho, Ho Ho Ho. That is one of the best nicknames I've ever heard! Up there with the "Bayonne Bleeder."
A lot of these gaffes are just careless. Nurkic is huge, and bowls over defenders in the post -- putting him at high risk for charging calls. He has slippery hands. He loves flicking fancy one-handed passes to cutters, but he often misfires or hits their legs.
He also loves hitting people. Sometimes he backs into a post-up with such force, the collision jars the ball loose.
Nurkic should be an efficient player. He's shooting 51 percent, he's a good passer, and he can bulldoze to the rim almost whenever he wants. But coaches won't trust him until he buttons up.
Ells and Gees: Jusuf Nurkic, the BOSNIAN BEAST!
