OKC's defense is validating Jamal Murray in a major way

Jamal Murray wasn't good enough for Denver to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. But the folks who think trading Mr. Murray is the key to winning title number two? They need a little perspective. 

While Murray had his struggles against the relentless Thunder defense in Denver’s second-round series loss, I ask you, who hasn’t this postseason? 

Everyone has struggled against Thunder D

The Thunder’s arsenal of elite defensive guards is almost unfair. Lu Dort, Carson Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Aaron Wiggins are like a swarm of pissed off hornets that never get too tired because they can rely on each other for help. Those hornets affected everyone this postseason, not just Murray.

Ja Morant’s season averages all dipped drastically in OKC’s first-round sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. Ditto for his (former) running mate Desmond Bane. In round two, if Nuggets fans remember, Nikola Jokic had two of his career-worst postseason games versus OKC, which is saying something. They even gave the NBA’s smartest supercomputer headaches!

Things didn't change in round three. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards had the best regular season of his career, averaging 27.6 points per game and nearly 40% from three. In the conference finals, those averages dropped to 23 points per game and 28% from deep, and the Timberwolves went out with a whimper in five games.

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton came into the NBA Finals on a heater. But through five Finals games, even Haliburton has been tamed. His points per game, assists, and shooting splits have all fallen, while his turnovers have climbed. With the Thunder on the doorstep of wrapping a bow on one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history, their impressive run is starting to put Jamal Murray’s struggles in perspective. 

Murray can bounce back

Murray was under a lot of pressure vs OKC, and it showed. His efficiency was low, and he didn’t produce any of his signature 35+ point barrages that make Denver impossible to beat. Part of that was the lack of spacing and ball handling surrounding him and Jokic, and part of it was that he simply missed shots he needed to make.

Still, I believe the Nuggets can win another championship with Murray as the second-best player. People forget, Murray is coming off an excellent regular season, despite another predictable slow start.

Furthermore, Murray can reap the benefits if Denver can improve its depth in the backcourt, namely by letting Russell Westbrook walk, signing Bruce Brown back, and continuing to develop Jalen Pickett. 

Pickett had glimpses of being a legitimate backup point guard last season. He can playmake and looks the part of a capable shooter, and I thought he and Murray naturally complemented each other in some of the brief regular-season minutes they shared. We’ve already seen Brown work in Denver. He’s a seasoned veteran who can shoot and dribble, and he brings familiar championship experience. 

Denver needs to overcome their limited financial flexibility and add pieces that allow Murray to play more off the ball and improve Denver’s spacing. Murray can also do his part by not playing himself into shape to start the season, and helping Denver get off to a better start. Both things will go a long way to help Murray look more like the player from the bubble and the 2023 title run, and prove that the Blue Arrow’s success in Denver is just getting started.