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Denver Nuggets: Player Grades from Philadelphia

By Michael Longhofer

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 26: Wilson Chandler
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 26: Wilson Chandler /
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Philadelphia 76ers V Denver NuggetsPHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 26 : Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 938380264
Philadelphia 76ers V Denver NuggetsPHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 26 : Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on March 26, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)Getty ID: 938380264 /

Jamal Murray – C

Jamal came out of the gates looking like this was going to be one of those games he puts on from time-to-time.  His first half was phenomenal.  He was aggressive and effective.

Too bad none of that carried over to the second half.  Jamal was a team high -22 in the (+/-) ratings.  He shot just 25% from the three-point line.  There were times, during the game that Barton and Harris were running the point, while Murray tried to get his offensive game back-on-track from the shooting guard position.

It was sort of par-for-the-course for Murray, who’s shown this season that he’s capable of playing at an MVP level but that he’s also questionable at the point.  I believe it’s going to be a productive off season for the 21-year-old guard and we will see a marked improvement in consistency from Murray.

Why do I believe that?  Why did he make this list despite a substandard performance?

The dunk on Reddick.

Following a steal, Jamal picked up the loose ball at the Raptors free-throw line, took off, blew by Embiid with a behind-the-back cut and yoked on Reddick.  I think this is the third time I’ve used the above picture in reviewing the Nuggets performance last night.  There have been bigger dunks.  There have been bigger dunks from Murray but this one showed us something.

It showed us Murray’s inner Westbrook.  He’s not just a spot-up shooter.  He has wonderful mid-range touch, he has incredible range and he can drive and dunk.

He’s going to be a special player.  He’s going to benefit from playing alongside his Core mates in Jokic and Harris.

In keeping with the post game theme, though:

Next: Top 10 defenders in Denver's history

Just not yet.

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