The Denver Nuggets won’t have Jamal Murray in NBA Summer League as he recovers from surgery, but he’s feeling better and has big goals for 2017-18.
Unfortunately, the Denver Nuggets will be missing one of their brightest young stars in NBA Summer League this year. Jamal Murray underwent surgery in April to repair his core muscles. He played his entire 2016-17 rookie season with a sports hernia, which only makes his performance and nod to the All-Rookie Second Team that much more impressive.
Rightfully so, Murray is taking his time to fully recover and avoid any unnecessary stress on his body. Christopher Dempsey of Nuggets.com has reported some comments from Murray, who is clearly feeling positive about his condition and return to form:
“At this time I don’t want to force it. It’s good to be out there, working on my conditioning, how I’m moving, all of that; just get back to basketball movements.”
The Nuggets have plenty of players to carry their team at Las Vegas Summer League, anyway. Malik Beasley could be set for a strong showing, as my co-expert Mathew Huff believes, while Juancho Hernangomez should be primed for a step up in his sophomore year and rookies Monte Morris and Tyler Lydon will both be on display. So, even though it’s disappointing Murray can’t be out there, and it must be frustrating for him, the Nuggets still have talent that’s worth keeping an eye on.
It’s good Murray isn’t making himself play, because as he told Dempsey, his pain threshold and desire to compete regardless is so strong:
“A lot of it is growing up with my dad, just being able to take pain and wanting to play even though I’m hurt. I’ve had broken fingers and still played for Team Canada. I’ve done all of that. Just wanting to play, I think that’s my biggest attribute, just wanting to play through whatever I have to in order to go out and compete.”
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It’s great for Murray to have that mindset, but he doesn’t need to encourage any delays to his recovery right now.
Dempsey added that Murray will be back at 100 percent by the time training camp starts, so he can start gelling with new additions.
“Once I get into game shape and get my legs stronger, I’ll be a lot more explosive,” Murray said. “But right now I feel a lot better than I did before and I’m still not 100 (percent).” That’s an encouraging thought for Nuggets fans. Murray already has surprising athleticism and bounce when he attacks the rim, and when he’s fully healthy (it’s not like he’s had a knee injury, either), him being even better should help the Nuggets take the next step.
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If Murray keeps honing his playmaking ability, too, and runs more point (he said he’s looking forward to doing just that to Dempsey), then his 2017-18 season could be an impressive one.