Jamal Murray
Getty
Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets was named as an All-Star this season.
In his ninth year in the NBA, Jamal Murray was finally named an All-Star after putting up his best numbers this season. Murray has been the second-best player for the Denver Nuggets over the years, but he showed that he could carry the team during Nikola Jokic‘s absence.
Jokic missed a chunk of games in the first two months of the year after sustaining a hyperextended left knee. Murray played his best basketball during that stretch, averaging 27.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game. He shot 49.6% from the field, 40.5% from 3-point range and 86.7% from the free-throw line.
Some predicted that the Nuggets would fall in the standings, but Murray helped the team stay afloat in a loaded Western Conference. They remain third in the West at 35-20 heading into the second half of the season.
Murray had eight points, four rebounds and eight assists in total for Team World in his first All-Star Game. Unfortunately, Team World failed to advance to the championship game, with Team USA Stars beating Team USA Stripes in the final.
Murray Shares His Next Career Goal
Speaking at the postgame media availability, Jamal Murray opened up about finally becoming an All-Star. Murray is happy with the recognition of his hard work and performances, but he’s not satisfied.
While winning another championship is his main goal, he also set up something for him to accomplish later this year or possibly next season.
“I want to be an All-NBA type of player now that I’ve made All-Star,” Murray said. “So, I think that’s my next near goal for the future. That means that I’m playing a whole season of great basketball. So if I can do that, then we’ll consider a strong season.”
With some of the best players likely to be ineligible to win awards due to missing a lot of games, Murray has his best chance to be selected to an All-NBA Team later this season.
And now that the All-Star Weekend is over, teams have a few days off before the season resumes on Thursday, February 19. The Denver Nuggets will visit the Los Angeles Clippers to start a three-game road trip.
Key to Nuggets Championship Run
Jamal Murray isn’t satisfied with winning just one NBA championship. The Denver Nuggets have their best chance to add another one this season due to their depth. The Nuggets have also shown that they are now capable of winning games without Nikola Jokic.
Murray told reporters before the All-Star Game that the Nuggets just need to stay healthy to make a legitimate run for another title.
“Get healthy is a big one,” Murray said. “It’s hard to rate or critique our team right now with our whole starting five basically out. Once we’re healthy, once we get guys back, we’ll be in a better place.”
The Nuggets have been hit hard by injuries this season. It’s the next-man-up mentality since players like Jokic, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas missed a chunk of the season at different times because of injuries.