Is Jamal Murray a Star?

The Denver Nuggets answered a big question from last season. Will they extend Jamal Murray? Calvin Booth decided to give him a four-year, $208 million deal. Extending the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. They led the franchise to its first NBA Championship in 2023. It was special to see a player return from a 2021 ACL injury. He missed the following season, then became a second option on a championship team. But the following season it has come crashing down. After dominating in the 2023 playoffs, he got shut down by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Everyone assumed he had a bad series. It doesn't seem like a playoff and Olympics problem. There is fear that he has lost his edge. Which makes one wonder if Jamal Murray is a star?

The Olympics were awful for Murray. There was a lot of hype for Canada as it had a decent number of stars. Team Canada was an absolute disappointment, and one of the reasons was Jamal Murray. With abysmal averages of 6 points per game and 4 assists. He did not look like the second star during the finals run. Late in the off-season, it was a shock to see the Nuggets give him an extension. Instead of waiting to see how he plays during the regular season. The fear of losing another key player was a reason why the Nuggets might have kept Murray. Since winning, the organization has lost key players like Bruce Brown and Caldwell-Pope. With how the Nuggets are playing, they do not look like a title contender. And with how Jamal Murray is playing, his contract looks like dog shit. Which could end the chances of Denver ever winning a second championship.

So far into the season, Jamal Murray has looked like a shell of his former self. He has struggled to burst through the defender, which leads to a finish around the rim. Jamal has had his worst three-point shooting season this year. Only making 29 percent of his shots, which is a career low. The injury from last season has carried on into this year. Dealing with leg injuries late into the season still remains a problem. For the 27-year-old, this will always be a recurring problem. Right now, Murray has been out with a concussion. Missing the past four games. Denver can't expect to win without their second-best player. He must be available to play at all times.

Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun have stepped up for the shorthanded Denver Nuggets. Without Murray, the organization went on a three-game winning streak. The offense seems to have flowed with greater ease without their star player. Without Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets lost to the stacked Thunder by two points. Which is remarkable as OKC is the best team in the West thus far. But it does not seem sustainable. It's fun to see a 37-year-old Russ dominate. But, without Jamal Murray, they won't get past the second round. It could be possible that Jamal can't be a consistent second option. With injuries and a lack of availability, Michael Malone may shift to a Jokic and Co. offense instead of a two-man offense. That isn't so far fetched to think about. Even though Jamal stinks so far into the season, he is too important for the Nuggets team.

 Jamal Murray is too important for the Denver Nuggets. As he is the second ball handler and playmaker for the team. Murray is good at playing off-ball. When healthy, Jamal is a top 10 point guard in the league. A true elevator in the play-offs. But it seems like the injuries have been catching up to him. His struggle to get to the basket has been a problem. A lack of a 3 point shot makes it hard to open up the offense. If Jamal does not get to his 2023 form, then the Nuggets have no shot of making a deep playoffs run. If the shots don't go in, it would hurt role players like Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr to get their shots. Jamal Murray's early-season play shows he is not in star form. Murray throughout his career been a strong second option. The hope is that he returns to that form.

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