Denver Nuggets: 2017-18 player grades for Jamal Murray

Weaknesses

The Denver Nuggets missed out on the NBA Playoffs this past season and they will have to look no further than their defense for a solution. The Nuggets finished with a defensive rating of 108.8 in 2017-18, ranking 26th in the league.

Jamal Murray posted a defensive rating of 109.7 on the court. Off the court, Denver posted a defensive rating of 107.3. It’s a minor dip in rating, but it’s a testament to how much the defensive pressure needs to turn up if the Nuggets hope to become championship contenders.

Murray’s value heavily relies on the offensive end, but defensively, he just hasn’t seemed to buy in yet. In victories, his defensive rating came in at 104.0. In losses, his defensive rating was 116.8. To put this number in perspective, the top 10 defensive teams in the league all turned in defensive ratings below 105.0.

Quite frankly, Murray needs to improve as a defender. Some of it comes with his decision-making on the offensive end. As his efficiency improves, so does the outcome. When he shoots poorly, the Denver Nuggets typically lose. Murray shot 41.7 percent from the floor and 30.2 percent from 3-point land in losses.