Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had some high praise for his star guard Jamal Murray, after another amazing performance from the 23-year-old in his team's Game 3 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
While there have been several areas in Murray's game that he has improved on significantly this season, coach Malone revealed what exactly has impressed him the most:
“He came to me last year, kind of after the playoffs, he says, ‘Coach, you know what drives me crazy and I hate?’,” Malone recounted, via Sam Amick of The Athletic. “‘You say I’m inconsistent, (and) what bothers me is that you’re right. I know I have to be more consistent.’ I think he’s made it a personal challenge because good players are inconsistent. They can get 31 a night, (and) the next night eight. Great players bring it every night.
“I think what I’ve seen from Jamal this year, aside from the growth defensively, which has been tremendous — I’m so proud of him in that regard. But now I know every night what I’m getting from Jamal. Last year we knew what we were getting from Nikola, but what kind of game would Jamal have. That’s no longer the case. We have two superstars in Nikola and Jamal and a lot of young, talented players behind them. I think the difference from last year to this year is just that consistency, the confidence that we all have in Jamal.”
Jamal Murray has been consistent for the most part of the playoffs. He has had a couple of off nights here and there, but in the playoffs, not even the biggest of superstars are immune to the occasional dud. What we can say without uncertainty is that this has been his most consistent season throughout his career. Credit also needs to be given to Malone here for how he's managed Murray in the four years they've been together in Denver.
Murray has been great for the Nuggets in the West Finals against L.A., but yet, they've only won one out of the three games in the series thus far. Then again, their victory on Tuesday swings the momentum to their side, and another win in Game 4 on Thursday will tie the series at 2-2. Judging by their impressive performance in Game 3, this is certainly not beyond the reach of this relentless Nuggets side.
Follow Us
Subscribe