The Denver Nuggets need him and he needs the team to do this, but I think maybe the stars are aligning.
If the Nuggets leapfrog to the top 3 in the Western Conference as I think they can then Murray is our Curry our Lillard. So let’s look at what the stats suggest we can expect from Murray and the Nuggets jumping from what was Murray’s first year as a full time starter to year two. (Per ESPN)
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Murray posted 16.7PPG, 3.4APG and 3.7 RPG shooting .451 in his first year as the starting point. Curry was 17.5 5.9 APG and 4.5 RPG shooting .462.
Lillard was 19 PPG 6.5 APG and 3.1 APG shooting .429. So while Murray didn’t put up the assists and rebounds to suggest that he’s this MVP type point guard we are close enough for comparison.
Both Curry and Lillard increased their scoring significantly in year two and further in the next few years. While the other stats went a bit up and down as their roles became clearer on the team. the average of Curry and Lillard’s increase would put Murray at 18.1 PPG next season.
I would argue that with the growth of other Nuggets players along with that added input from Murray we will see Jamal and these Nuggets in the prime time and the playoffs.
If the growth of Murray and the success of the Nuggets follows pace of the other two players then we will have a nationally known leading scorer and a team that people tune in to watch sooner rather then later. The Warriors didn’t rise to a budding dynasty until year 4 of the Steph era with an injury shortened season in the mix, but the Blazers got there in year two with Lillard running the point and haven’t missed the playoffs since (6 years).
So maybe this is all wishful thinking from an avid Nuggets fan, but if Murray has a similar career path (perennial all star) coupled with what looks to be an ascending group of teammates then I think we may have that star from the commercials and highlight reels right here in the Mile High City.
If I’m right, you can count Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris in as household names as well. So every Nuggets fan waits in hopeful anticipation to see what we have here.