{"id":98620,"date":"2024-10-01T15:26:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T19:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=98620"},"modified":"2024-10-01T15:30:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T19:30:40","slug":"how-changing-jusuf-nurkics-role-can-amplify-the-suns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/01\/how-changing-jusuf-nurkics-role-can-amplify-the-suns\/","title":{"rendered":"How Changing\u00a0Jusuf Nurkic’s Role\u00a0Can Amplify the Suns"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Phoenix Suns<\/a> are looking to erase the memory of last season’s ending with a fresh start this year. One of the players, <\/span>Jusuf Nurkic<\/a> expanded on his role this offseason and comes into the year hungrier than ever to capitalize on that opportunity. At Media Day for the Phoenix Suns, newly hired head coach Mike Budenholzer<\/a> & Jusuf Nurkic had much to say about the center’s intriguing summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Changing\u00a0<\/span>Jusuf Nurkic’s Role\u00a0<\/span>Can Amplify the Suns<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mike Budenholzer’s Comments<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

When diving into head coach Mike Budenholzer’s comments you can see he is very excited to work with The Bosnian Beast this season and utilizing him to his best abilities. Nurkic was acquired last year from Portland in the three-team deal that sent Deandre Ayton<\/a> to the Portland Trail Blazers. He was one of the main pieces being brought here alongside recently extended Grayson Allen<\/a> who came from Milwaukee. Nurkic last season was dominant on the glass & in the paint. <\/span><\/p>\n

He averaged 10.9 points alongside 11 rebounds a game\u00a0which is not too shabby. What seemed to be the issue with Nurkic was his shooting ability outside the paint. As he shot 51% from the field and 24.4% from three-point this past season. With coach Bud’s offensive style of favoring the three ball prominently, this would seemingly cause a rift or issue for the Suns’ cohesion on that side, but the opposite is the case.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic taking 3s: “There definitely has been intentional work by Nurk and conversations with him about what we think he can do and add and grow, and most obviously is a 3-point shooter….we’re gonna push that envelope.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n