Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone says Jamal Murray will most likely get the start at point guard in the team’s preseason finale against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Post’s Gina Mizell reports.
Michael Malone says Jamal Murray will "probably" going to start at PG in #Nuggets preseason finale against OKC.
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) October 10, 2017
Murray is in the midst of an ongoing competition with Emmanuel Mudiay and veteran Jameer Nelson for the Nuggets' starting point guard spot.
After underwhelming in his first two performances which saw him score just 16 total points, Murray had by far his best showing of the preseason in their second game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Murray got the start and poured in 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 on 3-pointers in 22 minutes of action.
Murray’s overall preseason performance hasn’t overly impressed Malone. But then again, neither has any of his main point guard rivals.
Mike Malone on #Nuggets ongoing PG battle: "Not one has just floored me…and not one has been so bad where it made the decision easy."
— Gina Mizell (@ginamizell) October 10, 2017
Malone jokingly downplayed the impact of Murray’s performance against reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, although you’d figure it should still factor into his decision-making process.
Murray started 10 of 82 games last year during his rookie campaign, averaging 9.9 points per game. However, he shot a disappointing 40 percent from the field and 33 percent on 3-pointers despite having a reputation as a knockdown shooter.
The 20-year-old has shot the three very well in preseason, though, going an impressive 9-of-13 from downtown. That type of shooting would be a real asset with Nikola Jokic in the starting lineup if Murray does win the job.
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