Jamal Murray delivered a commanding performance for the Denver Nuggets, scoring 45 points in a recent game and silencing critics who questioned his value. Over the past 18 games, Murray has been a standout player, averaging 21.9 points while shooting an impressive 47.3% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc. Despite signing a hefty four-year, $208 million maximum contract extension during the offseason, some critics have argued that Murray has not lived up to his contract expectations. The Nuggets' 11-10 start and his average of 17.8 points on 42% shooting have only fueled these criticisms. Nevertheless, Murray believes he deserves some of the criticism "to a certain extent."
In a recent game, Murray demonstrated his exceptional skills, finishing the first half with 32 points on 12-of-15 shooting. His performance was nothing short of sensational from the outset, scoring 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting in the first quarter alone. Recognizing that he was in the zone, Murray ensured that he was not rested midway through the initial quarter, capitalizing on his momentum.
"You're just in the zone and it's fun," said Jamal Murray.
Despite facing scrutiny for his performance this season, including his lowest scoring average since the 2019-20 season and lowest field goal percentage since 2018-19, Murray's teammates and coaches continue to support him. They were thrilled to witness his explosive performance, as he efficiently scored 45 points.
"Your team knows you're in the zone. They're trying to find you as well. The ball has energy and it was finding me today and I was just rolling, so I wasn't looking into it too much. I was just flowing with the game and playing free," added Jamal Murray.
The pressure on Murray intensified following last season's playoffs and his participation in Team Canada's Olympic campaign, where he performed below his usual standards. However, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone believes that the scrutiny on Murray is somewhat excessive.
"I think the microscope on Jamal is a little intense," remarked Michael Malone.
Murray's ability to score 45 points in such an efficient manner exemplifies his potential and underlines why the Nuggets invested in him with a maximum deal. His teammates' excitement further highlights their unwavering confidence in him.
"Sometimes you can have so many negatives in the game where it just compounds from one player to another. And today it was just the opposite," noted Jamal Murray.
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