Can Jamal Murray Be Better for the Denver Nuggets?
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The DNVR Nuggets Podcast dives deep into the aftermath of the Denver Nuggets' disappointing playoff exit, focusing heavily on Jamal Murray's dramatic decline from a career-best regular season to a non-factor in the series against the Timberwolves. The hosts express disbelief and despair over Murray's 36% shooting and 26% three-point efficiency, calling him 'erased' and 'a complete non-factor' despite being on the floor. They contrast this with the rise of the San Antonio Spurs and their phenom, Victor Wembanyama, whose dominance—especially defensively—has redefined the league's future. The discussion shifts to whether the Nuggets should rebuild around their core or make drastic changes, with a central debate on whether Jamal Murray can be salvaged or if the team must move on. The hosts explore roster construction ideas, including the controversial 'D-Line plan' of benching Christian Braun to add a cheaper, more versatile point guard, and emphasize the need for multiple ball handlers to reduce the burden on Murray. Ultimately, they conclude that the Nuggets' identity—built around the Murray-Jokic two-man game—may be outdated, and without a clear vision or cultural reset, even running it back could fail.
Jamal Murray's career year in the regular season was completely undone in the playoffs, where he shot just 36% and 26% from three, becoming a non-factor.
The Nuggets' reliance on the Murray-Jokic two-man game is now seen as a vulnerability, especially against elite defensive schemes.
The rise of Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs signals a new era in the NBA, making the Nuggets' current roster look outdated.
The team may need to implement a 'D-Line plan'—bench a high-salaried player like Christian Braun to add a cheaper, more versatile point guard.
Roster construction must evolve to include multiple elite ball handlers to reduce the burden on Murray and improve offensive versatility.
…and 2 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Despair of the Post-Playoff Void
The hosts open with a bleak, metaphorical reflection on the Nuggets' playoff exit, likening their journey to Lewis and Clark's expedition—full of hardship and disappointment. They express emotional exhaustion and a sense of futility, setting a tone of despair that permeates the episode.
Wembanyama's Arrival and the Spurs' Rise
“I think the San Antonio Spurs are officially here. Should they get past this series, which I expect them to win game six. I don't think this is going to go back to a game seven. If they win this in six, I think that matchup Spurs-Thunder, it feels like the Thunder have already been there. The Spurs, maybe they're a year away. I think this is the first in a long, long rivalry. It will matter a lot.”
Jamal Murray's Career Year and Playoff Collapse
“I thought was not great in these playoffs. Aaron Gordon was out, whatever to me. And I know it's going to be different for everybody. To me, the playoffs went the way they did because Jamal Murray was not slowed down. He wasn't even shut down. He was erased. He was a complete non-factor.”
The Two-Man Game Is Dead
“The two-man game in the championship year probably made up 20% of the offense, you know, beginning and end and key moments. But other than that, the ball's just popping. I think this year was probably like 50% of the offense. I think it's going to have to go down.”
The D-Line Plan: Bench Braun, Add a Point Guard
“The Nuggets will love this. The D-line plan would be that even though Christian Brown is going to be making an enormous amount of money next year, is it possible that he's just your sixth man? Because trying to figure this out... with only your three and your four spot as your flexible pieces might not work.”
“I thought was not great in these playoffs. Aaron Gordon was out, whatever to me. And I know it's going to be different for everybody. To me, the playoffs went the way they did because Jamal Murray was not slowed down. He wasn't even shut down. He was erased. He was a complete non-factor.”
“He had a down playoffs and it's like, no, no, no, no. He couldn't have been worse. Zero clutch field goals. Zero.”
“I think the San Antonio Spurs are officially here. Should they get past this series, which I expect them to win game six. I don't think this is going to go back to a game seven. If they win this in six, I think that matchup Spurs-Thunder, it feels like the Thunder have already been there. The Spurs, maybe they're a year away. I think this is the first in a long, long rivalry. It will matter a lot.”
Hosts
Denver Nuggets
other
Jamal Murray
person
Nikola Jokic
person
Victor Wembanyama
person
San Antonio Spurs
other
Minnesota Timberwolves
other
Christian Braun
person
Peyton Watson
person
Aaron Gordon
person
David Adelman
person
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