2016 NBA Draft: Jamal Murray Player Breakdown

Key Strengths

Jamal Murray is coming into the NBA at an absolutely perfect time. The league is valuing 3-point shooters more than ever before, and that caters to Murray’s skills as a hybrid guard and genuine marksman.

The Golden State Warriors are proving how a somewhat position-less system can flourish, and Murray is the perfect player for such an experiment.

While generally hidden as an off-guard at Kentucky, Murray has the court vision to be a solid facilitator at the next level. The biggest of strengths in his game, however, is his ability to switch from facilitator to off-ball scorer in the blink of an eye.

Murray’s masterful performance against the Florida Gators, which included his scoring 35 points on 8-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, is a shining example of that versatility.

There’s a stark contrast in the way he approached the game against Florida and his eight-assist Kentucky debut against the Albany Great Danes.

Murray can do it all offensively. It’s simply a matter of what he’s asked to do.

Murray’s can pull up and shoot off the bounce with range beyond 24 feet. He also possesses the versatility to operate off-ball and utilize screens in order to get open and convert off the catch, which makes him the epitome of the modern NBA guard.

Furthermore, Murray’s size is elite for a point guard. Some may have him pegged as a 2, but his court vision was one of his primary strengths coming out of high school.

Murray has his flaws, but his strengths are a perfect match for the modern standards for guard play.

Next: Key Weaknesses