The 2018 NBA Manifesto
Jamal Murray
PG/SG - 6’4, 207lbs - 21 years old - 2 years of experience
Notwithstanding some streakiness that reflects his still-young age, Murray looks to be on his way to stardom. A big scoring spike this season on much the same usage numbers speaks to greatly improved efficiency, itself coming from better skills, rhythm and discipline.
Playing alongside Nikola Jokic allows Murray to hunt his shot more, not having to do too much of the classic point guard play. This is good, because he doesn’t want to. Murray to his core is a scorer, and a confident one, who can get his in isolation or within the context of a half court offence. Just like with any Nuggets player, Jokic can find him open, but unlike any other point guard option they have seen for years, Murray can also create his own with the handle. He shoots from three, he shoots from the mid-range, he gets to the rim, and, this season at least, he hits them all well. Some inconsistency in doing so is fine, and will be ironed out over time.
To judge Murray within the context of a point guard is to find him deficient compared to his peers. So, don’t. Judge him within the context of being the second shooting guard that he basically is. Murray might struggle to be as effective on any other team, given Jokic’s presence here to help him. But that matters not. Here he is, and here he should stay.
That said, he will have to do at least some of it. As of right now, while Murray can score in single coverage, he struggles when pressured in the back court. He doesn’t need to become Chris Paul out there, but he needs to get the ball up better than Damon Jones.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Keep and prep for a maximum extension.
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PG/SG - 6’4, 207lbs - 21 years old - 2 years of experience
Notwithstanding some streakiness that reflects his still-young age, Murray looks to be on his way to stardom. A big scoring spike this season on much the same usage numbers speaks to greatly improved efficiency, itself coming from better skills, rhythm and discipline.
Playing alongside Nikola Jokic allows Murray to hunt his shot more, not having to do too much of the classic point guard play. This is good, because he doesn’t want to. Murray to his core is a scorer, and a confident one, who can get his in isolation or within the context of a half court offence. Just like with any Nuggets player, Jokic can find him open, but unlike any other point guard option they have seen for years, Murray can also create his own with the handle. He shoots from three, he shoots from the mid-range, he gets to the rim, and, this season at least, he hits them all well. Some inconsistency in doing so is fine, and will be ironed out over time.
To judge Murray within the context of a point guard is to find him deficient compared to his peers. So, don’t. Judge him within the context of being the second shooting guard that he basically is. Murray might struggle to be as effective on any other team, given Jokic’s presence here to help him. But that matters not. Here he is, and here he should stay.
That said, he will have to do at least some of it. As of right now, while Murray can score in single coverage, he struggles when pressured in the back court. He doesn’t need to become Chris Paul out there, but he needs to get the ball up better than Damon Jones.
Player Plan: Two years of rookie scale salary remaining. Keep and prep for a maximum extension.