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Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray vs. Devin Booker: Which Kentucky guard would you rather have?

By Marcus Kaplan

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 /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge MVP trophy after the World Team defeated the US Team 150-141 in the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 17: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates with the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge MVP trophy after the World Team defeated the US Team 150-141 in the 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center on February 17, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

So as I said before last season’s stats don’t really paint a clear picture.  Nowadays there are advanced stats that are more telling about a players value and performance.  Lets take WS (wins shared) for instance.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets /

Denver Nuggets

Wins shared is an estimated number of wins contributed by the player (basketball-reference.com).  Last season Jamal Murray posted a 5.5 WS while Booker posted a 2.4.  This may be a little misleading because Booker only played in 54 games to Murray’s 81.

This brings up another important point.  Durability.  In his first two seasons Murray has missed only one game.  Meanwhile, Booker has missed 38 games in his first 3 seasons.  Lets also not forget Jamal Murray played his entire rookie season with a sports hernia which limited his explosion and caused discomfort.  That’s the kind of guy I want playing for me.

Another advanced stat I like to look at is ORtg (offensive rating).  This is basically an estimate of points produced per 100 possessions.  Lets first take a look at the reigning MVP’s offensive rating.  James Harden, who most would call one of the premiere offensive talents in the NBA, posted an offensive rating of 120 last season.

Steph Curry, the best shooter and one of the best scorers of this generation, posted an offensive rating of 125.  LeBron James, a top 5 player of all-time, posted an ORtg of 118 last year (basketball-reference.com).

So where did Murray and Booker fall?  Murray had an offensive rating of 112 in just his second season.  Booker on the other hand, in his third season, had an offensive rating of 105 and in his second year he posted an offensive rating of 103 (basketball-reference.com).

We could talk about their defensive ratings but they’re very similar and it’s relatively well known that neither are going to be your teams best defender.

Edge:  Murray

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