Denver Nuggets: 3 goals for Jamal Murray in 2018-19
1. Average 20 points per game
The final goal sticks to what Murray does best: scoring. As mentioned earlier, Murray developed into a near 17 points per game scorer last season and he has the tools to average 20 per game as soon as this season.
It starts with Murray’s shot attempts, which should jump up from 13.1 per game as he plays more minutes and continues to be a featured part of the offense. A player with Murray’s scoring prowess should be attempting at least 15 shots per game, if not more.
Specifically looking at Murray’s shot breakdown, a concerning trend that developed last season was the increase in mid-range shots, notoriously inefficient shots when compared to attacking the rim or stepping back beyond the arc.
Murray’s 3-point attempt rate actually decreased from his rookie season (47.1 to 41.1) as he settled for more mid-range jumpers. While Murray was an elite shooter from the mid-range last season, he is better served cutting down those shots in favor of 3-pointers or shots at the rim.
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Murray’s shooting is how hesitant he can be at times despite his sweet shooting stroke. Murray attempted just two pull-up 3-pointers per game last season, a number that should definitely jump up with his ability to navigate a screen to get open. Although Murray only shot 32 percent on such shots last season, it’s clear that he has the stroke to hit them at an at least league average rate.
Starting with those shots is the key for Murray as he looks to be unleashed as a scorer. Should Murray gain comfort launching pull-up threes, defenses will be on edge trying to defend Denver from all areas of the court and points of attack.
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While it is hard for Murray to have a more positive impact on the team’s offense than he did last season (the Nugget’s offense was 10.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor), such an improvement would raise the ceiling of the offense, which is imperative for a team that is relying on winning on that end of the floor each and every night as they look to finally return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.