Nuggets fans have been kept unusually busy this offseason thanks to the basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics. Fans in America always have Team USA to root for, but this year it feels like there are two more hometown teams as Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are there representing their countries.
Jokic entered the Games fresh off winning his third MVP award in four years and had little to prove on the world stage. For Murray, the playoffs were an unceremonious ending to a disappointing season overall.
The hope was that Murray would be able to use the extra time off to rest and recover and that the Olympics would be a nice tune-up for Jamal before training camp started. Here’s a look at how things have gone for Murray as he tries to help Team Canada navigate its way to an Olympic medal.
GROUP PLAY
Game 1: Canada 86 Greece 79 FINAL
Murray: 8 pts, 0 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 0 blk, 3 TO, -21, 2/6 FG, 0/3 3-PT, 4/4 FT
Canada was able to eke out a win, but Murray’s play was pretty frightening. He struggled to move around and create on offense, he had no rhythm shooting the ball or leading the offense, and he was a traffic cone on defense. He came off the bench and the team was thoroughly dominated while he was on the court. The one bright spot was that Murray calmly stepped up and knocked down the two biggest free throws of the game to seal the win, but otherwise, it was a rough showing.
Game 2: Canada 93 Australia 83 FINAL
Murray: 5 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast, 0 stl, 1 blk, 0 TO, +9, 2/7 FG, 1/5 3-PT, 0/0 FT
Another win for the Canadians, but another lackluster showing for Murray. His movement didn’t look any better and neither did his shot. There was still no rhythm to his game on either end as he struggled to fit alongside other lead guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Andrew Nembhard.
Game 3: Canada 88 Spain 85 FINAL
Murray: 4 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 0 stl, 0 blk, 3 TO, -4, 2/5 FG, 0/2 3 PT, 0/0 FT
Canada came away from group play unscathed, but the play of Murray has become eye-opening in a bad way. His struggles on both ends continued in this one and he’s become a virtual non-factor. A few nice passes were the highlight, but beyond that, it doesn’t seem like Canada can trust Murray to be on the floor during the biggest moments.
QUARTERFINALS
France 82 Canada 73 FINAL
Murray: 7 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl, 0 blk, 3 TO, -7, 3/13 FT, 1/4 3-PT, 0/0 FT
Another dud from Murray as Canada suffered a demoralizing defeat, eliminating them from the Olympics and medal contention. This was supposed to be a "golden era" for Canadian hoops and Murray was supposed to be a big part of that. The team was undefeated in group play, but Murray never clicked with the team or looked like himself. Floundering out in the quarterfinals is a huge letdown for Canada and Murray.