Since he left Canada, apart from his stay of a few months in Kentucky, he has only known Colorado. “ I feel at home. […] It's a family environment. I'm lucky to be in Denver and to be able to count on the love of my teammates “, coward Jamal Murray, interviewed by Hoopshype.
If the Nuggets playmaker likes so much in Denver, where he arrived in 2016, it is largely due to his relationship with the other strong man of the franchise, Nikola Jokic. Two men who linked their destinies for so many years, to the point of obtaining the supreme consecration last year: the NBA title.
When it comes time to reconquer it, there is no doubt for Jamal Murray that his partner must once again be rewarded for his production in the regular season. A production which, according to him, should lead him to win a new MVP trophy despite the competition.
“ I don't think anyone has a strong enough argument to beat Nikola because we are the best team in the league with the number 1 seed in the West, in the toughest conference. His statistics improve every year », Recalls the Canadian, whose team officially finished in second position, behind the Thunder.
Many duos at the All-Star Game
The playmaker himself experienced his best career statistical production, in terms of assists, general skill and 3-pointers and equaled his best points average. Still not enough to be invited for the first time for the All-Star Game.
“ I know I'm better than some of the All-Stars that were selected “, he said again, adding: “ It's sometimes annoying that you aren't placed in certain conversations because you weren't selected. […] It's not like it bothers me too much. It's one of those things where I have to accomplish, and clearly, it's what separates me from the greats, so I have to be an All-Star one of these days. I hope it will be next year. »
This year, a bunch of league teams were able to send two representatives to the All-Star game: the Lakers (LeBron James and Anthony Davis), the Clippers (Kawhi Leonard and Paul George), the Suns (Kevin Durant and Devin Booker), the Celtics (Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown), the Sixers (Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey)… From there to seeing more efficient duos than that of the Nuggets? Jamal Murray thinks otherwise.
” (Some) are in a bigger market, people are more interested in LeBron and AD in LA, or what Dame (Lillard) and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) could be, or what Luka (Doncic) and Kyrie (Irving) could do. If we're talking about the best duos in terms of getting the job done and how they play for and with each other, I think Jokic and I are definitely #1 », Judges the Canadian.
With his long-time partner, the leader has a few weeks ahead of him to demonstrate it.
| Jamal Murray | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | DEN | 59 | 32 | 48.1 | 42.5 | 85.3 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 21.2 |
| Total | 469 | 31 | 45.2 | 38.0 | 86.7 | 0.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 17.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
