Jamal Murray wants to be ‘the best player in the world’
Jamal Murray doesn’t just want to be the best player on the Denver Nuggets, he wants to be the best player in the world.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is one of the most confident players in the NBA and his recent rise to superstardom is only a milestone for him, not the whole journey.
At just 23-years-old, Murray emerged as one of the NBA’s next superstars with his play in the postseason. Averaging 26.5 points, 6.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 50.5% from the field and 45.3% from 3-point range, Murray was often the Nuggets’ best player, catapulting them to surprising victories over Donovan Mitchell’s Utah Jazz and Kawhi Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers.
In an interview with reporter Ashley Nevel, Murray revealed the extent of his ambitions, saying that “I knew I was going to be here but now my goal is to be the greatest.”
"“I wanna be the best player in the world… that’s my dream, my goal. That’s what I wanna accomplish. I knew I’ve always had the talent…. but to actually be here and actually have a chance at it, it gives me a lot of power. It gives me a lot of motivation.”"
Just wrapping up the fourth season of his NBA career, Murray has steadily improved — both in terms of the eye test and statistically — to the point where he’s a well-rounded guard who has shown the ability to score at an elite level. Although he isn’t even considered to be the best player on his own team yet, his lofty aspirations provide the glimpse into the mindset of a player who will only continue to grow.
Is it reasonable to believe that Murray can be the league’s best player?
Not necessarily, if only because players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson should be the faces of the league in a few seasons.
Nonetheless, when Murray is in his athletic prime and has a few more playoff runs under his belt, he’ll have cemented himself one of the best playmakers in the league. Perhaps Murray will even be able to be regarded as the best player at his position.
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No matter where he ends up in the league rankings though, Murray’s career is on a bright path.