Life like 2022-23 stat projections for Jamal Murray

September 18, 2022

Jamal Murray was amid a profession yr with the Denver Nuggets in 2020-21 earlier than a torn ACL sidelined him for the rest of the season and the playoffs.

The scoring guard out of Kentucky had lastly damaged the 20 factors per recreation mark and was shelling out 4.8 assists whereas taking pictures 47 p.c from the ground and a very good 41 p.c from behind the arc.

Denver made the proper alternative in preserving Murray on the bench for your complete 2021-22 season, making certain he’s absolutely wholesome for the upcoming season. What is going to his numbers appear to be when he returns this season?

Proper after tearing his ACL, I in contrast Jamal Murray’s street to restoration to that of Zach LaVine in 2017. As an athletic scoring guard, there are some comparisons between their video games, and fortunately for the Denver Nuggets, LaVine has solely grown as a participant after the harm.

LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls whereas recovering and he didn’t swimsuit up for his new staff till the top of the 2017-18 season. These closing video games for Chicago have been ugly however the staff wasn’t within the combine for a playoff spot and it gave LaVine the chance to get some video games reps.

The next season, his utilization elevated and he averaged a then-career-high 23.7 factors per contest and was taking pictures the ball way more successfully, placing in 116.1 factors per 100 possessions which positioned him within the 81st percentile based on Cleansing the Glass.

His harm additionally didn’t decelerate his aggression, in truth, he took extra photographs on the rim than he did in any of his previous seasons and averaged six free throw makes an attempt per recreation. Each these statistics are profession highs for him now, even in comparison with this season, his breakout season.

There’s motive to imagine that Jamal Murray may see the same return to play in 2022-23. Whereas Murray missed out on some late-season recreation reps, deciding to remain on the bench, he has been capable of observe at full energy this offseason, together with coaching with the Canadian nationwide staff.

When coaching camp begins in a few weeks, Jamal will likely be taking part in at his full capability and will ramp up into the season like regular.

However again to the preliminary query of what’s going to his stats appear to be. I imagine he’ll see an uptick in factors per recreation, setting one other profession excessive, because the Nuggets look to focus extra on their large three on offense.

Nikola Jokic is now established as one of many league’s greatest gamers however as probably the greatest passing large males in NBA historical past, he’s the form of teammate that’s glad getting photographs for his teammates. I don’t suppose there’ll be any subject of too many ball handlers.

Michael Porter Jr. can also be returning however whereas coping with his personal again accidents, he ought to settle in because the third possibility on offense behind Jamal and Jokic.

The Nuggets have formed their roster round these three stars, flanking them with low-usage function gamers like Aaron Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Different key rotation items like Zeke Nnaji, Jeff Inexperienced, Bruce Brown, and Bones Hyland will likely be on the market to share the ball and stretch the ground for the massive three.

In a best-case situation, Jamal may common round 25 factors per recreation, establishing himself as one of many higher scoring guards within the league. Particularly if MPJ’s again issues persist, sidelining him for intervals of time, this Nuggets roster may characteristic a whole lot of Jokic-Jamal pick-and-rolls.

The largest stat that Jamal ought to replicate is his taking pictures from behind the 3-point line. He’ll possible begin the season taking pictures decrease than common but it surely’ll be vital to look at his numbers within the second half of the season, as soon as he has his legs beneath him once more.

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