Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray should punk more squads

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray certainly made his share of enemies Monday. Perhaps the Nuggets need more of this.

What is the best way to celebrate a career-high 48 points? How about taking a shot at 50?

This is precisely what Denver Nuggets‘ guard Jamal Murray did Monday night in Denver’s home win over the Boston Celtics. With the game in hand and the clock winding down, Murray hoisted a late 3-pointer. The shot missed, but the message drilled nothing but net. This is Jamal Murray’s gym.

Several Boston players did not react well to this, including star point guard Kyrie Irving. He chucked the ball into the stands postgame, earning himself a $25,000 fine from the league.

Here’s what Irving had to say about the the fine, per the Boston Herald:

"“From a competition and competitive standpoint, I think it absolutely deserved to go in the stands,” he said. “You just don’t play basketball like that. It’s as simple as that. You just don’t.“There’s a tradition and a respect within the league as well as in any basketball game. Obviously you’ve won the game, you have it sealed, you’ve had a great game, game of your life, and you do something like that, it’s petty, it’s immature, and we’ll see him again though.“I mean, when everyone knows the intent of it, I think it just makes it clear of what’s going on,” Irving said. “Clearly, 50 points is a big deal, but get it within regulation. Take it as a man, get your free throws and get to 50 points, but you don’t wait till the end of the game when everybody’s not playing to just launch up a shot and then nonchalantly [shrug] as if it doesn’t even matter."

The Nuggets displayed lion-like tenacity in their win over Boston on Monday. They used Murray’s energy to overcome an 18-point deficit and beat the Celtics 115-107. The next contest Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies? Denver’s offense resembled a baby kitten drinking milk, as they fell 89-87.

Perhaps they could have used more of Murray’s swag? Or maybe even something else.

In the 2012 Western Conference playoffs, a miked-up Gregg Poppovich told his San Antonio Spurs, “I want some nasty.”

Could this be what the Nuggets were missing against the Grizzlies?

Throughout Wednesday’s game, Memphis stifled Denver’s offense with gruff, physical defense. The Grizz honed in on Nikola Jokic, who was bullied into…just one field goal attempt. The trickle-down effect was grave, as Gary Harris appeared to be the only confident starter.

The Nuggets lost to the Grizzlies in a timid fashion, barely uttering a squeal offensively. Contests like this will hereinafter be referred to as MNR games — “More Nastiness Required.”

Wednesday’s game needed the same swag that Murray harnessed against Boston. This was nowhere to be found against Memphis, making for a textbook MNR game.

Over the past couple years, Denver has a poor habit of losing meekly on the road. This is not a trait that successful playoff teams possess. It’s time to break the trend.

Jamal Murray must be the guy to accomplish this. He can and should step up in times of MNR.

It’s Murray who goes toe-to-toe with opponents, irking everyone from Irving, to Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton. Murray refuses to back down or be bullied. He hits big shots… and then lets the world know about it.

You’re up, Jamal Murray. It’s time to give the Denver Nuggets some nasty.