The Denver Nuggets have one huge situation holding them again, they usually’ve acquired fairly a little bit of inside points.
Since including a generational expertise within the second spherical of the draft, the Nuggets have constructed a contending squad. With Nikola Jokic on the helm, the group goes to be a profitable squad. Nonetheless, the extent of their winningness depends closely on the help round Jokic.
The three-time MVP, having received the award in three of the final 4 seasons, is at the moment having a profession 12 months. Sure, that’s proper, a generational expertise with three MVPs beneath his belt is having his finest season but.
Nonetheless, the Nuggets are recent off an embarrassing 145-118 loss on their dwelling flooring, and Michael Malone was livid.
Jokic’s counterpart, Jamal Murray, has been with him by way of thick and skinny. The 2 have an NBA title beneath their belt, with the duo main the group by way of the playoffs. Whereas Jokic is having his finest season but, the identical can’t be mentioned for Murray.
Murray hasn’t been in nice type and is having one in every of his worst seasons in fairly a while. He’s averaging 17.8 factors per recreation and capturing 40% from the ground. After the sport, he claimed the group didn’t have the main target.
“It’s a protracted season. Guys have lives outdoors of basketball. We simply beat LA in LA. We’ve acquired some guys who dwell in LA, so stayed in LA,” Murray mentioned. “I don’t assume the main target was there from everyone, and that’s what occurs while you don’t have the main target.”
Whereas it appears Murray is deflecting the blame, he later clarified his stance on social media.
“All of us stayed in LA BTW! and had an important win. Not excluding myself guys we didn’t play collectively tonight,” Murray posted.
The Nuggets don’t have the identical locker room chemistry that they had after they made a title run, or after they received 57 common season video games only one 12 months in the past. They’ve acquired to discover a approach to pull issues collectively and make some kind of common season run to show issues round.
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Kendrick Perkins hasn’t pulled any punches on Murray. A few weeks again, he went in on the Nuggets guard and his incapability to get going early within the season.
The Nuggets have solely continued to battle, although. Murray has but to ramp up his recreation. Positive, he executes within the playoffs. As a group, although, Denver must get going, so, Murray is important to getting issues transferring for the membership.
Whereas Jokic is stringing collectively an unimaginable begin to the season, the star guard has acquired to get going, and Perkins has his questions for Murray. The previous NBA veteran and champion took to ESPN’s “First Take” to make his emotions relating to the guard recognized.
“We’re on the lookout for Jamal Murray to raise his recreation recent off a contract extension, and he hasn’t performed it.
“On the finish of the day, while you speak concerning the degree of focus, no! You’re speaking to your self,” Perkins mentioned.
“I’ve been ready all season lengthy for Jamal Murray to assist Jokic out and produce his A-game, and he hasn’t performed it.”
Perkins has a degree. The Nuggets are depleted of their depth from earlier seasons. Now, greater than ever, they want Murray to be a star guard within the common season whereas additionally being a pacesetter within the locker room.
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