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Denver Nuggets: Murray’s Recent Success Could be Springboard for Big Second Half

By Mathew Huff

Dec 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the net against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives to the net against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) and forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 103-93. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Denver Nuggets may need to ride off of Murray’s momentum.

The Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray recently won the Rising Star’s Challenge MVP.

After a huge 36 point, 11 assist performance to go along with 10 made 3-pointers, it was clear he deserved the award. His amazing performance helped the World Team defeat the U.S.A. Team as he showed the game changing potential he possesses.

Personally, I believe he deserves the Rookie of the Year Award over Joel Embiid, but I may just be biased and that’s a different topic for another day anyway. After this huge game, it will be interesting to see how well he fares in the second half of the year as the Nuggets look to maintain a playoff spot.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

If Murray carries this momentum from All-Star Weekend with him into the final lap of the season, then the sky is the limit. Suddenly the Nuggets will an indispensable weapon on their hands as he and Jokic could form a deadly combination in the future.

While I personally believe the comparison is still a bit of a stretch, it was easy to see why people say he is the next Steph Curry after the performance he had in the Rising Stars Challenge. He certainly did his best Curry impersonation with one of his 3-point shots where he was well behind the arc. If the young rookie can use this as a springboard for a strong finish to his rookie campaign, then it will be beneficial to both he and the Denver Nuggets.

Do not forget that Emmanuel Mudiay had a better second half of the season last year after a strong showing in this same particular game.

Say what you will, Jamal Murray was on fire the other night and he could still be on fire when teams return from the All-Star Break.

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