It is not for its performance on the parquet (9 points and 8 rebounds) that Nurkic juice was noticed for his first outing with the Hornets, since his departure from Phoenix. No, it's more for his words after defeat against the Magic.
The pivot began with classic compliments on his opponent. “It's a very good and young team, who does a good job, with an excellent staff coaching”,, he saidbefore making a more surprising statement.
“But I think a player is missing from this training,” continues juiceuf nurkic. “I can't say the name but it's my young people from Portland. Even if I love people from Portland. I find that they are missing a player to become a very, very good team. »»
Orlando's attack needs a boost
The old Blazers pivot thinks here of Anfernee Simonshis former teammate in Oregon between 2018 and 2023. In addition, one could imagine that the rear would not be against evolving under the colors of the Magic, since it is native of Altamonte Springs, near Orlando, and that he studied in Florida.
As for the franchise, she would undoubtedly see a good eye the coming of a rear to the sweet name of Anfernee … Simons does not have the talent of creator of Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway, but he holds his first name as The former Magician of Orlando. It weighs 18.6 points on average, and it would clearly be useful because the attack on the men of Jamahl Mosley is one of the least prolific and effective of the League this season, with in particular the worst 3-point percentage (30.6% of success).
The Magic was careful during the “Trade Deadline”, mainly focusing on the healthy return and rhythm of its best players – Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in mind – to afford a more positive second part of the season. And for a possible marriage between the two camps, hoped by jusuf nurkic, perhaps it will be necessary to wait until 2026 and the end of the contract of Anfernee Simons. Or next summer, if the Blazers are open to exchanges …
| Anfernee Simons | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | Por | 20 | 7 | 44.4 | 34.5 | 56.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
| 2019-20 | Por | 70 | 21 | 39.9 | 33.2 | 82.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | Por | 64 | 17 | 41.9 | 42.6 | 80.7 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 7.8 |
| 2021-22 | Por | 57 | 30 | 44.3 | 40.5 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 17.3 |
| 2022-23 | Por | 62 | 35 | 44.7 | 37.7 | 89.4 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 21.1 |
| 2023-24 | Por | 46 | 34 | 43.0 | 38.5 | 91.6 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 22.6 |
| 2024-25 | Por | 51 | 32 | 42.6 | 37.4 | 90.5 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 18.6 |
| Total | 370 | 26 | 43.1 | 38.4 | 87.9 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 14.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = minutes; Shots = successful shots / tempted shots; 3pts = 3-point / 3-point attempted; LF = Successful free throws / tempted free throws; Off = offensive rebound; Def = defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; PD = assists; FTE: Personal faults; Int = interceptions; BP = lost bullets; CT: against; Pts = points.
