Jamal Murray Is Becoming One Of The Elite Guards In The NBA

TheSportster

By Thomas Hall

Published Dec 16, 2018

Jamal Murray is making a name for himself in the NBA by proving he's one of the elite guards in the league.

Denver Nuggets point guard, Jamal Murray, is developing into one of the elite point guards in the NBA.

The 21-year-old is on his way to becoming a league-wide name if he continues on the pace that he is on. This is only his third season in the league, and he is already producing outstanding numbers.

So far this season, Murray has averaged 17.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. The stat that really sticks out is that he has recorded 20 or more points in a game nine different times through 28 games this season.

Murray also already has that chip on his shoulder that a lot of the top players in this league have as well. He has this no care attitude and uses it to his advantage. Like taking three-point shots from half court in warm-ups, that's boosting his confidence to the highest level.

The latest example of this was during the Nuggets game against the Oklahoma City Thunder this past Friday night. With just 35 seconds left in the game, Murray was centered beside Russell Westbrook during a jump-ball when the two starting shoving each other.

It appeared as if this was yet another attempt by Murray to prove to everyone that he isn't a pushover and that he will do anything he can to get players off their game. This is one of the elements that his playing style is shaped around.

Murray will not just drop 20 or more points on you, but he'll also try and get into your head to get you away from playing your game, which has been very effective so far this season for Murray.

He has been one of the key reasons why the Nuggets currently sit atop the Western Conference. Along with forward, Nikola Jokić, Murray has acted as the glue that has kept this team rolling along like they have been doing all season long.

If Murray continues this pace, he could join the other elite guards in the league very shortly. Not to mention, where he can lead this Nuggets team in the playoffs. Once Paul Millsap returns from injury, then this team lead by Murray will be able to do some real damage in the West this spring.

What This Means

Murray has quietly become one of the best point guards in the West, which is high praise considering the West is loaded with talent at that position. As of right now, he's nowhere close to the level that Westbrook, Steph Curry and James Harden are on.

But given he's only in his third season in the NBA and he's just 21-years-old, it will undoubtedly take some time to reach that level. But from how he's performing right now, there's no doubt in my mind that he will eventually reach that level as well.