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Denver Nuggets: 3 reasons why Jamal Murray will be an All-Star in 2023

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 06: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets practices prior to their game against the Houston Rockets at Ball Arena on November 6, 2021 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 06: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets practices prior to their game against the Houston Rockets at Ball Arena on November 6, 2021 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 Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 13: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets works out before the game against the Washington Wizards at Ball Arena on December 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 13: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets works out before the game against the Washington Wizards at Ball Arena on December 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

One of the biggest factors that contribute to a player becoming an All-Star is scoring. And one of the positions most responsible for scoring is the shooting guard. Even though Jamal Murray is technically labelled a point guard first, I could see him taking on a much larger scoring role for the Denver Nuggets in 2023.

Last season, every guard who made the All-Star game (outside of Chris Paul) was averaging over 20 points per game. Then the year before, Paul and Mike Conley were the only All-Stars averaging fewer than 20 a game.

Essentially, unless you’re a pure point guard (which Murray is not), then you need to be averaging at least 20 points per game to become an NBA All-Star.  Thankfully, Jamal Murray was averaging 21.2 points per game when we last saw him play in 2021. Which was more than 2022 All-Star recipients Dejounte Murray, LaMelo Ball, and Fred VanVleet.

While it’s impossible to predict exactly what his stat line will look like next season since we don’t even know how he’s going to return from his ACL tear. There’s good reason to believe that Murray won’t have any problem returning to his scoring ways and should easily average between 20 and 25 points per game. Especially since an ACL injury is pretty easy to come back from in the modern age of medicine and technology.

It’s also worth noting that he’s improved in each of his five seasons with the Denver Nuggets. A trend that should continue into 2023.

With Jokic as the Nuggets’ leading facilitator, and little to no cap space to sign anybody of major significance this offseason. Jamal Murray will be relied on to be this team’s primary scorer and most consistant perimeter shooter on offense. Meaning that his scoring numbers should only continue to go up in 2023. Putting him in prime contention for a spot in the big game.

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