Lakers coach Luke Walton called him “disrespectful.” Some might call him cocky. Nuggets coach Michael Malone calls his 21-year-old point guard confident. The thing about Jamal Murray is he’s probably a mix of all three.
The last time the Nuggets and Lakers met before Friday’s matchup was back on Dec. 2. As time expired at the end of regulation, Murray, who finished with a game-high 28 points, dribbled around fellow point guard Lonzo Ball. Afterward, Walton called Murray’s showboat “immature.”
In the second quarter of a February win over the Thunder, Murray found himself isolated on the wing against Oklahoma City big man Steven Adams. Murray shook Adams with a few between-the-leg dribbles and stepped back to the three-point line as the seven-footer’s ankles went weak and he tumbled to the hardwood. Murray later said that he stuck the three while making sure to stare down Adams.
“I’ve been working to get here, coming from a small city in Canada, trying to get my looks, trying to get my attention,” Murray later said. “All I can do is break more ankles and score more points to do that. I’m not going to stop and I don’t see no one else stopping me either.”
On Friday against that same Los Angeles team, Murray said or did something to a Lakers’ player or coach that caused Walton to lob obscenities his direction as both teams retreated back to their respective huddles.
The two incidents against the Lakers were different than when Murray crossed up Adams. But they all represent who Murray is and how he plays the game. He’s not afraid of any stage. He doesn’t back down from any opponent. Jamal Murray is a straight killer. And his personality and bravado are exactly what the Nuggets have been lacking.
Paul Millsap is Denver’s defensive captain and one of its locker room leaders. Eventually, Millsap could be the driving force behind the Nuggets’ rise to a league-average defense. But the four-time All-Star is reserved in nature. Nikola Jokic is Denver’s best and most important player. He could go on to be the best player in franchise history and this season, Jokic may lead the Nuggets to their first playoff berth in four years. He’s also naturally reserved.
Murray is what the Nuggets lack. Every championship team has an ‘alpha.’ Every contender has someone to set the tone both on and off the court. At just 21-year-old on a roster with a slew of veterans, it’s nearly impossible for Murray to lead this group. But he’s well on his way.
“He’s very quiet right now, Mason Plumlee said on the BSN Nuggets Podcast. “But if he has anything to say, guys will listen.”
The second-year point guard is an assassin on the court. Off it, he sets the tone and example for his teammates as well.
Murray loves to practice and enjoys being coached. Malone gets on his point guard more than he does the rest of his players because he knows Murray can be great. Murray also takes constructive criticism in stride when others may look the other way.
“I like when I’m being pushed. I like when (Malone) demands stuff from me,” Murray said. “It only makes me get better and play better. I don’t shy away from that.”
Around an hour before tip, Murray’s detailed-oriented approach is on full display. He’ll emerge from the tunnel and shoot from nearly every spot on the floor for 15 or so minutes at a rapid pace. Then he’ll methodically work from the paint to the free-throw line, to the three-point line and finally to midcourt, hitting one or two shots from every spot. One miss and Murray may start over.
Murray’s swagger rubs opposing players and coaches the wrong way. He elevates his game when going against the best and won’t back down from a challenge. He’s daring and fearless at just 21 years old. His charisma is captivating, and how hard he plays inspires his teammates.
The thing about Murray is that he doesn’t need to change to help lead Denver to the playoffs. He just has to be himself.
