Jamal Murray not doing himself any favors with tone-deaf comments after pathetic loss

By now, you’ve likely heard all about the Nuggets' embarrassing home loss to the Knicks on Monday night. The team came out with no energy and got absolutely spanked for four straight quarters. The defense was especially atrocious, allowing the Knicks to do whatever they wanted all night en route to allowing 145 points.

It was a dismal showing and once things ended on the court, the night only got worse. Michael Malone took the podium for his press conference and eviscerated his team for several minutes. He referred to the Nuggets’ performance as embarrassing multiple times, called out Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray by name, and ripped the lack of effort, leadership, and physicality.

Murray, himself, took the podium later in the night and also pinned the loss on the team’s effort and energy, questioning their desire. But at the end of his presser, he made a very interesting comment that has already rubbed some people the wrong way.

“It’s a long season. Guys have lives outside of basketball. We just beat LA in LA. We’ve got some guys that live in LA. And like I said, I just don’t think the focus was there. From everybody. And that’s what happens when you don’t have focus.”

Murray's comments insulting to fans

What a weird thing for Murray to say after an ugly loss in which Murray arguably played as poorly as anyone - specifically on defense. In the grand scheme of things, nothing he said is particularly crazy. 

Of course NBA players have lives outside of basketball, but using that as an excuse to no-show a game is not a great look. It’s an even worse look because it sounds like Murray is throwing specific people under the bus - obviously those around the organization know which players live in LA.

The Nuggets shouldn’t be resting on their laurels from winning a title two seasons ago. This team still has a lot to prove and the way the Western Conference is shaping up, they are going to have to battle for every win just to avoid the Play-In Tournament, or missing the playoffs altogether.

It’s bad enough for the team to mail it in and practically forfeit a home game to fall to 8th in the West. But it’s even worse for one of the most notable underperformers to come out and say the team wasn’t focused because they were hanging out in LA.

If Murray and the Nuggets turn things around and play better, this won’t end up being a big deal. He’s right; it is a long season. Getting blown out by a good team isn’t a big deal in a vacuum and it happens to everyone. 

But this is becoming a trend for this Denver team. 20% of the season is already in the books and the Nuggets are closer in the standings to the 13 seed than the 1 seed. They’ve got a lot of work to do and statements like Murray’s don’t seem particularly helpful.