Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray’s superstar status in question
The Denver Nuggets are off to a slow start and Jamal Murray’s inconsistency is a main reason why.
After averaging 26.5 points and 6.6 assists per game in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the byproduct of a string of sensational performances, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was considered to be one of the league’s up-and-coming superstars.
However, nearly half a month into the 2020-21 season, Murray’s performance has been underwhelming. Not as underwhelming as Denver’s 3-5 record but more than disappointing enough to bring Murray’s superstar status into question.
Having played 7 games this season, the 23-year-old Murray is averaging 22.0 points (career-high) and 3.9 assists per game with a true shooting percentage of 60.7.
On the surface, Murray is playing just fine individually.
Yet, closer inspection shows that the Blue Arrow has been rather inconsistent.
After scoring 9 points in the season-opener (on 1-9 shooting from the field), Murray averaged 22.0 points per game over the next two contests. Unfortunately for Denver, he couldn’t deliver the superstar performances that would have prevented the Nuggets from being handily defeated by the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas.
Against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 28, Murray may have played well but he didn’t stand out in the way superstars do; he scored 21 points as Paul Millsap scored 19 and seven total Nuggets players reached double-figures. In fact, Nikola Jokic — who recorded 19 points, a career-high 18 assists and 12 rebounds — was Denver’s superstar performer in that game.
To start the new year, Murray was on a tear, averaging a stellar 33.5 points per game on a true shooting percentage of 70.9 in the first two games of 2021.
Nonetheless, despite his strong play, the Nuggets came out of those contests 1-1, only managing to defeat the (now 2-6) Minnesota Timberwolves; the Timberwolves are ranked 30th in defensive rating (118.5) and 29th in opponent’s points per game (121.9).
Which brings us to his next two games: a 13-point performance against the same Timberwolves team and a 21-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks.
Against the Mavs, Murray scored 13 of his 21 points in the first quarter.
Superstars shouldn’t score just 8 points through three quarters.
With that game-by-game breakdown, it should be more than obvious that Murray’s designation as an up-and-coming superstar was premature. This isn’t to say that he can’t return to his 2020 Playoff form or that he’s playing badly; simply that he isn’t playing at nearly the same level as the one that led to him being called a superstar.
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There’s a lot of basketball left this season though, so time will tell whether Murray remains inconsistent or if he’s finally ready completely to turn the corner.