San Antonio Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray is ready to assume full time starting responsibilities for his team this year. Murray nearly doubled all of his rookie year stats in his sophomore season last year. Now that Tony Parker has left to join the Charlotte Hornets, Murray will be expected to produce consistently with the increase in minutes he'll get this year.
“I’ve been a guy that’s not afraid of criticism, I’m a guy that’s willing to speak how I feel and that plays a big role in being a leader,” Murray told reporters at the team's media day earlier this week. “I’m not afraid to speak on what I see.”
Murray appeared in 81 regular season games for the Spurs last season. While he did start some games, he was interchangeable with Patty Mills and Tony Parker throughout the season. Even Kyle Anderson took over the point guard's duties from time to time. Murray averaged 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists while averaging 21.5 minutes a game last year. In his rookie year, he averaged 3.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists while playing in 38 games. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich says Murray embraces having a bigger role and wants to be a leader.
“He really wants to be to the team what Tony was to the team and I’m confident that he’ll do that as time goes on,” Popovich said. “He’s up for the challenge. We’re going to let him run and take advantage of his athleticism. People will have to respond to that.”
At 6-foot-5, Murray brings a different kind of physicality to the point guard position. His length and defensive intensity earned him a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team last season, which is no small feat. His three-point shooting percentage took a dip last season, but he can score at all three levels.
Spurs fans should look forward to watching Dejounte Murray grow this season. Watching him alongside an athletic wing player like DeMar DeRozan will be a sight to see.
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