Their relationship had started under the best auspices. Mike Budenholzer had visited Nurkic juice in Croatia during the offseason. “” I was really surprised that he came to spend a few days with me “, Had appreciated the pivot of the Suns, thinking of evolving with a coach different from those he had known so far.
To a certain extent, the Bosnian was not mistaken. The old pivot of nuggets and blazers is indeed found in an unprecedented career situation: he no longer plays and, even more surprising, he says he has not spoken with his coach for two months.
“” We have no relationship. So it's good. For me, it's just about being a pro and doing my best. Work and be ready for anything, and not to bring chaos to this team. There are already many. I try to be as professional as possible and to work like crazy for something else “, The 30 -year -old will stand out from Arizona Republic.
Not easy to exchange
This one, who says he was not informed of the choice to be nailed to the bench from January 9, is preparing for the future: ” One door closes, another will open sooner or later. »Elsewhere in Phoenix then? Paradoxically, the person concerned, who affects $ 18 million this season (and 19 the next), still imagines with the Suns after the “Trade Deadline”.
“” Yes of course. It is not easy to be exchanged when you have exceeded the second 'APRON', because we are the Phoenix Suns and there is a new collective agreement and all the rules. Even that, I can't control it “, Seems to regret the pivot that did not play against the Wizards last night, for the 9th time in a row (including four unavailability because sick).
His coach preferred to trust the very tonic Nick Richards (20 points and 19 rebounds!), Related by Mason Plumlee in the racket, while Bradley Beal, the other “victim” of this change of orientation, brought 20 points of the bench.
Deserve her minutes
“” It is never easy in this league. He did not play. I'm sure he's frustrated. I respect that », Budenholzer loose about his pivot, before expanding:« There were discussions. There has been communication, but we have three or four guys playing at the same position. We will choose the one who, in our opinion, gives us the best chances. You have to deserve your minutes. And it was explained. »»
But that was obviously not understood by Nurkic, used to occupying the place of holder in the racket. “” It's hard to understand why. I try to do everything they expect from me. I play my role, but in the end, it's the NBA. The next one always takes over, but I'm happy not to be on the ground for two minutes », Even allows himself the one who does not want to play the figurative.
He finishes: ” I'm glad Bud found someone he can play with. It's refreshing for him to run four pivots. It's something lasting, it's the NBA. I have nothing against Nick. I can help in any case possible, but I am happy that they have found someone they want to play. »»
| Nurkic juice | Percentage | Rebound | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | Lf | Off | Def | Early | PD | Fte | Int | COP | Ct | Pts |
| 2014-15 | Barter | 62 | 18 | 44.6 | 0.0 | 63.6 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 6.9 |
| 2015-1 | Barter | 32 | 17 | 41.7 | 0.0 | 61.6 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 8.2 |
| 2016-17 * | All Teams | 65 | 21 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 10.2 |
| 2016-17 * | Barter | 45 | 18 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 49.6 | 2.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 8.0 |
| 2016-17 * | Por | 20 | 29 | 50.8 | 0.0 | 66.0 | 3.2 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 15.2 |
| 2017-18 | Por | 79 | 26 | 50.5 | 0.0 | 63.0 | 2.4 | 6.6 | 9.0 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 14.3 |
| 2018-19 | Por | 72 | 27 | 50.8 | 10.3 | 77.3 | 3.4 | 7.0 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 15.6 |
| 2019-20 | Por | 8 | 32 | 49.5 | 20.0 | 88.6 | 2.9 | 7.4 | 10.2 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 17.6 |
| 2020-21 | Por | 37 | 24 | 51.4 | 40.0 | 61.9 | 2.3 | 6.6 | 9.0 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 11.5 |
| 2021-22 | Por | 56 | 28 | 53.5 | 26.8 | 69.0 | 3.0 | 8.1 | 11.1 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 15.0 |
| 2022-23 | Por | 52 | 27 | 51.9 | 36.1 | 66.1 | 2.2 | 6.9 | 9.1 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 13.3 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 76 | 27 | 51.0 | 24.4 | 64.0 | 2.9 | 8.1 | 11.0 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 10.9 |
| 2024-25 | PHX | 25 | 24 | 45.4 | 32.2 | 69.6 | 1.8 | 7.3 | 9.2 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 8.6 |
| Total | 564 | 25 | 50.2 | 28.6 | 66.8 | 2.5 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 12.0 | |
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.
