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5 things to watch for during Nuggets’ scrimmages

ByQuenton S. Albertie|
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Torrey Craig #3 of the Denver Nuggets stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center on February 23, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 06: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives downcourt during the first half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 6, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 06: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets drives downcourt during the first half of an NBA game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 6, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

2. Jamal Murray’s improvement

As he’s made it known, Jamal Murray weighs 216 pounds and plans to use that to his advantage at a point guard. Murray’s focus for at least the rest of the season is on his ability get all the way to the rim and scoring inside.

Per Nuggets.com’s Alex Labidou: “Being more efficient in the two-point area — getting to the rim, not taking as many floaters and just getting all the way to the rim,” Murray said in detailing areas he wants to get better at. “I bragged about it the other day, but 216 as a point guard is pretty good for me. So I’m trying to use that and be more physical

https://twitter.com/espnnba/status/1285657055106408454

Prior the NBA’s hiatus, 18.7% of Murray’s shots came within 3 feet of the rim and he averaged 3.2 free-throw attempts per game (per Basketball Reference). Though nobody expects Murray to be the juggernaut inside that Houston Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook is, to compare the two, 41.3% of their shots came within 3 feet of the rim and he averaged 6.5 free-throw attempts per game.

That difference helps illustrate how far Murray has to go in being a physical force inside. Hopefully, during the scrimmages, he gets a chance to show his increased focus on going north-south.

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