DEJOUNTE MURRAY • TOP DOG
It’s time to show some love to Dejounte Murray. And no, this isn’t just a causal mention that he’s one of the league’s most underrated players - a claim that feels a bit understated these days. Murray’s producing at an extremely high level in his 5th season: avg. a near triple-double with 19.4 ppg, 9.1! apg, 8.4! rpg & a league-leading 2 steals per contest. By the way, he ranks #2 in the NBA in triple-doubles (10), trailing only Nikola Jokić.
Yeah…if Murray played in a larger market (or if SAS had a few more victories), he’d be all over every sports news cycle on a game-to-game basis. While the execution looks a bit different, his effect on the game is similar to some of the higher-volume, do-it-all stars like Jokić due to his ability to impact action all across the board.
DEJOUNTE MURRAY
19.4 ppg, 9.1 apg, 8.4 rpg, 2 steals/game, 45% shooting
Murray’s defensive prowess hasn’t wavered despite more responsibility as a leader and primary playmaker - jumping from 5.4 dimes/night to 9.1! dimes, on the same young (but still), developing squad from a year ago is a testament to his willingness to work on his game and bring the best out in his teammates.
Because of the play-in tourney, San Antonio is just 2.5 games back of the 10th and final spot. Whether the Spurs sneak in or not, it shouldn't take that long for the rest of us to wake up* and acknowledge not only Murray’s impressive stat lines but how he’s truly able to fully control action like some of the game’s top talent.
*strong All-Star candidate in 2022