Nurkic Says Blazers Have “No Excuse” for Falling Short of Potential

On the heels of their fourth loss in six games, the Portland Trail Blazers are officially in self-evaluation mode. Courtesy of NBC Sports Northwest’s Jamie Hudson, Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic took time to ruminate on last night’s 107-98 loss to Miami, suggesting the Blazers have run out of excuses for their recent play.

“We’re not on the same page, man. That’s clear right now… We should be better. There’s no excuse.”

As Hudson makes note of, the Blazers are still in a slight transition phase, welcoming Nurkic back, as well as a new face in Norman Powell. But that problem only comes to the forefront against top-tier competition. Among the top-seeded Western Conference teams, the Blazers are the only team without double-digit wins against teams above .500. Nurkic preached accountability, arguing that the Blazers don’t understand how good they actually can be.

“I just don’t feel like we understand our potential to be honest with you. I think we don’t give our self credit when we play good. We’ve never been in this organization too high or too low.

“I think at this point the only thing that could change is just our self to do it.”

Hudson’s article also hits on Nurkic’s return, his minutes restriction, and information on last night’s sacral contusion.