Nuggets vs. Spurs: Player Grades

Nuggets. JAMAL MURRAY. A+. The Nuggets have always needed a warrior.  Over the 50 years this team has practiced their craft in Denver, there have been a handful of special players that have worn the Blue and Gold.  Many hang in the rafters at the Pepsi Center most have been NBA All-Stars.  Names like Anthony, English, Issel, Mutombo.  All special and all deserving of legendary Nugget status.  In my observance, there have been only two Nuggets that have transcended even that level.  Two men I believe stamp(ed) themselves onto the franchise in an undeniable way. <p>One of those men is Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.  His time in Denver was relatively short, he had Tourette’s Syndrome and he was maligned (far before it was fashionable) for protesting the National Anthem.  In the spaces between all of that, though, he was an absurd talent, Steph Curry before we knew what Steph Curry was, if you will.  I like to remind people that in ’93-94 Mahmoud came within one free throw make of having the greatest FT% in NBA history. He ended that season averaging 18 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.  In the storied ’95 season, he posted his best numbers, with 19.2 points and 6.8 assists.  Mahmoud led a Nuggets squad that became the first 8-seed in NBA history to defeat a 1-seed.  Quite possibly the pinnacle of the Denver franchise’s existence.</p> <p>A quick, personal story, I was in attendance for a Nuggets-Lakers tilt during that ’95 season.  The Lakers led by 2 with under 10 seconds left in the game, the Nuggets were taking the court off of a timeout.  Everyone in the arena, all the Lakers coaches, player and staff, including Sedale Threatt knew that Mahmoud was going to take the final shot.  He did, he made it, they won.  He was, at his best, unstoppable.</p> <p>The other man that I believe is destined for that mantle is Jamal Murray.  It’s not just his skill, which is remarkable, it’s that he is a force of will.  It’s that a chest injury would not sideline him, not now, not in the minefield of the Nuggets’ February schedule.  It’s that he fights over screens, is smart with help defense and doesn’t back down to anyone defensively. He had a spectacular contest on a first half attempt by Gasol.  Little things that keep games from getting out-of-hand. We could talk extensively about his 3-point shot (3-for-6 last night), his ability to penetrate, dunk or distribute. He had a beautiful runner over Gasol in the third that emboldened a Nuggets run.  We could mention his leadership and direction on the floor.  He is masterful at stepping out on screens and forcing ballhandlers into the meat of the Nuggets defense. He appears to take getting beat defensively personally.  He has a knack for rebounding, particulary offensive. All of those things make Jamal a special player for the Nuggets but that iron toughness, an almost Westbrook-esque drive propel Murray to uncharted status.</p> <p>Did I mention that he’s 20?  If you look at win share and PER statistics for the existing NBA PG, only Kyrie Irving was better at 20.  Lofty company for a kid on a flyover team that the national media still largely ignores.  The thing is, there’s only the rest of this season for him to fly under the radar, even to be overshadowed by the accomplishments of Nikola Jokic.</p> <p>The league and  the All-Star game may be late to acknowledge Jamal.  There is stiff, established competition at the Point in the Western Conference. With consistent play like he’s shown the last 2 months, it’s going to get harder and harder to overlook him.</p>. PG