After the Suns flop, Jusuf Nurkic is trying to restart in the Jazz

« I don’t think this is a question for me. » When asked about the failure of the “Big Three” Suns (Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal) with whom he was associated, Jusuf Nurkic they prefer to return according to Suns president Josh Bartelstein or owner Mat Ishbia.

For which he assures that “ very much appreciated the attention » that he brought her. He also said he appreciates his teammates and “ time spent there His experience in Phoenix ended in trouble, however, with a trade last February to the Hornets after being left out of Mike Budenholzer’s rotation along the way.

« I tell myself that it is so. I can’t really say why. I feel like I did everything that was asked of me, but like I said, the first season was pretty good. Then everything went to hell. It’s not in my control. I can’t say exactly how and why, but I think there are many people who can’t answer this question either. », continues the Bosnian.

He’s had more opportunity to reflect on his tenure in Arizona in recent days. His new team faced the Suns twice. First with the overtime victory in which he contributed 7 points and 13 rebounds; then four days later he settled for 7 points and 6 rebounds in a tough loss.

Second highest salary on the team

Jazz? “ It’s great, really a very good organization. They care about the players and do a lot of little things to make them feel comfortable. I am really surprised by the way everything is managed here, especially organizationally. There are a lot of people in the office, and they do little things to make your life easier off the field “, appreciates the staff.

On the field, the environment is a little less favorable for the 31-year-old, reduced to the role of Walker Kessler’s backup. Coming off the bench, 17 minutes is still contributing around 8 points and 8 rebounds on average.

« Nurk is great. He is a devilish screen setter. It does a great job of creating space for all of our exteriors. It is very difficult to move near the circle. He manages to hold his position and use his physicality to grab rebounds », describes Will Hardy.

There are so many qualities that Nurkić has in his interest to highlight as much as possible this year. Because at the end of this, the team’s second-highest salary — $19.4 million — will be a “free agent.”

« Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we want them to. Whether it’s your fault or someone else’s, in the end, it doesn’t matter. You just have to keep the ‘tomorrow’ mentality. For my part, I know what happened and why, but I can’t change it now. New season, new team. All I care about is finishing the season. I will be a free agent, which is a good thing. I’m not in control of anything right now, but hopefully when free agency happens, I can choose where I want to go “, the interior has already been designed.

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.