In the 2016 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets took a plunge into the deep end of the depth pool when they drafted guard Jamal Murray. After a one and done season with the Kentucky Wildcats, the Nuggets saw enough to draft the talented guard with the seventh pick in this year’s draft. While early indications are that Denver has found more than Nemo, only time will tell whether the Nuggets will be swimming with the sharks or wading with the guppies in the Western Conference. In welcoming Jamal Murray to Denver, lets take a look at how the talented young guard.
2016-17 Denver Nuggets Player Preview: Jamal Murray
Scoring
For a rabid fan base that is eager for some offensive production, Jamal Murray will be a welcomed addition. In his one and done season with Kentucky, the scoring savant averaged 20.0 points while logging 35.2 minutes per game. These numbers are attractive in their own right, but become staggering when viewed in offensive efficiency. Shooting 45.4% from the field, he is one of the more polished shooters in this rookie class. 40.8% from 3 point range is a solid working number that the Nuggets will regularly work into their rotation. Measuring in at 6′-5″, he is able to use his size to create mismatches and get to the line. While the Nuggets will look to improve his 78.3% rate of return from the charity stripe, it’s a good starting point for the rookie grow from.
Assists
Although Jamal Murray played point guard at Kentucky, his college statistics leave one to wonder if his game will translate as a point guard in the NBA. Based on last year’s performance, his offensive talent might be best served for the shooting guard role in Denver’s offense. If there is an opportunity for growth in his offensive game, it would be in the assist category. During his lone season with the Wildcats, he put up a paltry 2.2 assists per game. With many exciting offensive weapons in the young Nuggets rotation, it is feasible to expect this statistic to improve. But how much? And does it justify playing the floor general role in Denver’s offense? These are going to be questions that the Nuggets brass must address moving forward.
Rebounding
An understated element of Jamal Murray’s game is that he is a capable rebounder at the guard position. He contributed a handsome 5.2 rebounds per game for John Calipari last season. While averaging 3.7 defensive rebounds per game and 1.5 offensive rebounds per game, he was able to effectively create five additional offensive opportunities for his team. Defensive stops and extra offensive opportunities are going to be huge in determining the success or failure of the Nuggets 2016-17 season. 5.2 rebounds per game won’t set the world on fire, but are a welcome addition to a Denver roster in need of improved performance across the board. One can only become excited at the potential for the board to break possibilities within this offense.
Defense
Another area of opportunity for Jamal Murray as he develops will be his contribution on the defensive end. While not exactly a liability on defense, his development on defensive end is still a work in progress. After averaging 1.0 steals and 0.3 blocks per game at Kentucky, there are a lot of question marks on the defensive end. If the Nuggets are wise in their player development, this will be an area of focus. One statistic to build on is his 2.1 fouls per game. He can become more assertive on the defensive end, without becoming a liability in terms of fouls. It will be interesting to see how Denver uses his unique size to create mismatches on defense, which could play a huge role in his development as a player.
2016-17 Outlook
Look for Jamal Murray to emerge as a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate in 2016-17 based on offensive prowess alone. Owning a polished offensive skill set at such a young age is something that cannot be taught. Assuming he embraces the role of facilitator, the sky is the limit for this Nuggets offense. A rim hawk at Kentucky, it is not unrealistic to expect 5-7 rebounds per game from the rookie. If he is able to lock down on defense, the defense to offense opportunities will make Denver exciting to watch. After an off-season of anticipation for things to come, Jamal Murray will not disappoint in his rookie season. Expect to see a high upside player develop into a consistent contributor in an exciting rotation for the Nuggets.
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