National Basketball Association

Denver Nuggets' Player Outlooks: The Rookie, Jamal Murray

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Jamal Murray (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jamal Murray has excelled in summer and his first preseason game and he doesn’t look like he will slow down anytime soon.

Jamal Murray has proven so far to be a great draft pick for the Nuggets. After an excellent summer league and a solid performance in last night’s preseason game, the future is bright. Even with Buddy Hield calling him out, Murray has shown that he is just as valuable. This could shape up to be a great rivalry between the two later on in their careers.

While Hield will be thrust into the fire right away, Jamal Murray will have the advantage of learning from some key veterans. He will have Chandler, Gallinari, Miller, and Nelson to look up to while backing up quality shooting guards like Harris and Barton.

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While there is no doubt that there will be growing pains, Jamal Murray may be the final building block in catapulting Denver into the playoffs.

One thing is for certain, Jamal Murray has a ton of potential for a star-studded career.

Mar 19, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) shoots the ball against Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

Jamal Murray how shown flashes at Kentucky

It is no secret Murray holds the highest scoring average of a freshman in Kentucky men’s basketball history. However, his 20 points per game was just the tipping point.

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If one analyzes his advanced statistics with Kentucky, they will be further impressed. He had a box plus/minus of 9.1 to go along with an effective field goal percentage of about 56%. Not to mention, Murray is used to being utilized in an offense with a usage percentage of 27.1%. When you remember Kentucky also possessed the likes of Tyler Ullis and others, this is very impressive. The kid may also be Denver’s secret weapon from deep with a collegiate 3 point percentage of about 41%.

Of course, it would be wrong to ignore what he brings defensively. Murray had a defensive rebounding percentage of 11.2% along with a defensive rating of 103 per 100 possessions.These are impressive statistics when you take into account Murray plays the shooting guard spot and is still very young.

With all he proved at Kentucky, Murray will be a key part of Denver’s core for the future.

Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) passes the ball under pressure from Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23) during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Saddledome. Denver won 108-106. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Nuggets fans should expect big things from Jamal Murray in the future

Murray will have a limited role this year. For the future though, the sky is the limit. A rookie backing up a defensive anchor like Harris and a potential Sixth Man of the Year in Barton may have a hard time carving out quality minutes.

The thing is Murray will be talented enough to make what little time he gets count.

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If last night’s game is any indication, he will have a big impact in the future. With Murray’s potential sky high, he has also lifted fans’ spirits and elevated their expectations of the team. It is safe to say that Denver got the steal of the draft two years in a row now (if we are talking about Jokic last year). With a prospect like Murray, this season will be a very exciting one.

There is going to be the normal rookie struggles. Once Murray gets settled in, the rest of the league better watch out.

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