Jusuf Nurkic just got benched by new Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Four games into the season.
You can explain away that it was a brutal matchup against Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers. You can hype up how the Suns are finding small-ball lineups that work, anchored by Royce O’Neale and Ryan Dunn. You can even celebrate how Mason Plumlee is a breath of fresh air at backup center compared to what Drew Eubanks was bringing last season.
But there’s no way around the fact that in 15 first-half minutes against the Lakers on Monday night, Nurkic missed 5 of 6 shots, turned the ball over 3 times, and got called for two fouls. The Suns were outscored by 20 points when he was in the game, and won the other 33 minutes by 24 points.
In Budenholzer’s offense, the ball is in Nurkic’s hands less than it was last season. He sets screens and goes to lurk in the dunker spot. He has a green light from 3 but can’t find a rhythm back there. Overall, Nurk’s lack of athleticism and scoring ability is biting the Suns on offense.
We all assume Nurkic will clean up the turnovers and keep grabbing rebounds. He’s always been a solid to good defender in the paint.
But as we discuss on today’s episode, Nurkic really needs to make the most of his opportunities to be effective. He’s a role player now. That means executing within his role, winning his matchup, and playing to his strengths.
The margin for error is smaller than when Nurkic was running point for last year’s Suns. If he plays loose or makes mental mistakes, the Suns will have no choice but to try plans B, C or D in order to keep winning games.
