Denver Nuggets: 3 Expectations for Jamal Murray

We’ve seen the impact explosive players have.

Think about how Stephen Curry can string-together absurd 3-point shots, drives and passes when the Golden State Warriors blow up.  Not only is it fun to watch and impossible to stop, it’s a catalyst for the Warriors, drives the whole team to rise to that level.

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That ability to accelerate on a dime has led to the well-documented Warriors success.

Jamal Murray is that guy for the Denver Nuggets.  That is to say you have to believe that part of his maturation will be a dive into that role.

That is the Blue Arrow, the guy that is lights-out, unstoppable.  The defense plays better when that guy is on the floor.  The fans are frenzied for that guy, opponents have little idea what to do with that guy.  The one that can hit a three from a step inside the half-court line or cross Steven Adams over and drain a step back three.

Dunks?  Yeah, there’s dunks too.  Murray gets to the rim surprisingly quick and is a powerful dunker for his position.

That kind of impact is critical to Denver’s ability to compete with the upper-echelon Western Conference teams.  As much import as Nikola Jokic and Gary Harris have, it is Murray that can bring that instant energy with his jaw-dropping talent.  He needs to let the Arrow fly early and often this season.