This is one of the great stories of this first NBA title for the Nuggets, that of Jamal Murray. Two years ago, the Denver point guard tore a knee ligament at the end of the season. Result: no playoffs in 2021, then a white season in 2022! Two years later, here he is NBA champion, and he has just concluded these Finals with at least 20 points and 10 assists on average. Only three players had done so well in an NBA Finals: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Just that !
At the microphone of NBA-TVhe obviously mentioned this terrible injury. “I will mention a few points” he warns about his journey. “There is my rupture of a cruciate ligament. I didn’t really have a summer to train on what I wanted since I was constantly in rehabilitation. I had to strengthen myself and regain my physical condition. I know that I can reach an even higher level”.
Then he spoke of the support received at the time of his injury. Tears come to his eyes, like on the podium. Steve Smith, Isiah Thomas and Brendan Haywood remind him how much his story will inspire players and people, especially those who are not well, or who have just suffered a serious injury.
” To be the best example for all those who, young, have to fight against injuries »
“My goal was to get back to where I was, to be able to score important shots in the biggest of competitions” he answers. “I live for these moments, and as you can see, I really enjoy it. I live for it, and everyone in the NBA and everyone in this locker room knows that. And I remember, when I was a kid, when I was commentating the playoffs, and I was imitating the commentators… To come back, there was my family, there was my little brother… It’s just surreal, but I wanted to be the best example for him, but also for all those who, young people, have to fight against injuries. »
And Jamal Murray to reveal that he has received support from players who have been so badly injured in the past.
“I’m just one more example, and you know, Zach LaVine helped me a lot, especially in getting my confidence back. Oladipo, despite his relapses, always had positive thoughts. There was Klay (Thompson), who told me how hard it was going to be. There is such brotherhood… I could see in his eyes how much it had hurt him. He didn’t even need to speak. I just had to look at him. I didn’t even need to look each other in the eye, I could see it in him. And today, it is I who am an example for others. »
| Jamal Murray | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 82 | 22 | 40.4 | 33.4 | 88.3 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 9.9 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 81 | 32 | 45.1 | 37.8 | 90.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 16.7 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 43.7 | 36.7 | 84.8 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 18.2 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 59 | 32 | 45.6 | 34.6 | 88.1 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 18.5 |
| 2020-21 | DEN | 48 | 36 | 47.7 | 40.8 | 86.9 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 21.2 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 65 | 33 | 45.4 | 39.8 | 83.3 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 6.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Total | 410 | 31 | 44.7 | 37.3 | 87.0 | 0.8 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 16.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
