The Nuggets still have plenty to clean up on defense, but Jamal Murray is giving them something they can build on.
Denver’s overall numbers haven’t changed much. The team is still sitting 21st in defensive rating, just as it has been near the bottom third of the league in that area over the past two seasons. But while the Nuggets continue searching for answers on that end, Murray is making a noticeable push to be part of the solution.
That’s been one of the early-season shifts in his game. Known mostly for his offense - and now an All-Star and All-NBA guard after last season - Murray is drawing attention for how hard he’s competing defensively.
Cameron Johnson made that clear at practice on Sunday.
"He's been bringing it [defensively]. He had some really good possessions in New Orleans. He had some really good possessions in Phoenix, where he is being the aggressor on the defensive end, and it's really important for us," Johnson said.
The numbers back up the eye test. Among Denver’s four most-used players this season, Murray is the only one providing a positive defensive impact, according to Databallr’s WOWY stats. He’s also been the biggest offensive driver on the roster.
That two-way production matters even more because Murray has carried the Nuggets’ attack while Nikola Jokic has had a slower start than usual. Murray is leading Denver with 25.8 points and 5.6 assists per game, and he’s shooting 53.5% from three-point range. That kind of scoring punch has helped keep the Nuggets afloat while they try to get both ends of the floor in order.
Johnson pointed to the little plays that show the difference.
"It sets the tone. One, a lot of times, he's point of attack or up there.
Two, when he turns it on, he has a really good defensive ability," he said. "I know there's a specific play the other day where he kind of-first action, I forget who it was-tried to drive at him, but he cut off the drive into a steal.
Like, that's quick, easy defense he was able to provide right there. He's been doing a really good job.
So as everybody buys in on that end of the court, it's going to make us even better."
For Denver, that kind of buy-in from a star guard can ripple through the rest of the group. If Murray is setting the standard, it should push players like Johnson and Christian Braun to follow suit.
The Nuggets still have 77 games left, so there’s time to sharpen the team defense. But the starting point is obvious: effort. Right now, Murray is providing it.
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