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NBA Mock Draft 2016: New Year’s Resolutions

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 25, 2015; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) flashes a "shaka" sign after the game against the Harvard Crimson at the Stan Sheriff Center. Oklahoma Sooners defeated the Harvard Crimson 83-71. Hield was named MVP of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) passes the ball away from Mississippi Rebels guard Rasheed Brooks (14) during the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) passes the ball away from Mississippi Rebels guard Rasheed Brooks (14) during the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Jamal Murray, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard

Age: 18

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 204 pounds, 6’7″

Slash Line: .403/.382/.745

Season Averages: 33.5 MPG, 16.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 2.6 3PM

New Year’s Resolution: Embrace Pace

Jamal Murray of the Kentucky Wildcats has arrived in the perfect era. There are areas of his game that must be improved upon, but the freshman has elite size for a point guard and a specific skill of the utmost importance.

The 6’5″ freshman can shoot from anywhere on the floor.

Murray’s never met a shot that he’s afraid to take, and that’s endeared him to the masses. He needs to improve in a variety of areas, specifically his finishing against length and free throw shooting, but Murray can light teams up from beyond the arc.

In 2016, the focus for Murray must be on settling down and making the easy play as a facilitator. He has more turnovers (42) than assists (37) and that’s a very troubling sign for teams looking to make Murray the franchise point guard.

He’s a better facilitator than the numbers show, but Murray needs to slow down and let the game come to him instead of forcing the issue.

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