Jamal Murray is finally getting the recognition he’s long deserved - and this time, it feels different. For years, he’s been one of the NBA’s most talented guards flying just under the All-Star radar.
But now, with a career-best season in full swing, the conversation around him has shifted from “should he be an All-Star?” to “how high up the list is he?”
On a recent episode of his podcast, Bill Simmons - never shy about stirring up debate - floated a bold thought: “You could have talked me into Jamal Murray” as the fifth starter for the Western Conference All-Star team. That’s not just a nod of approval; that’s putting Murray in the same breath as the elite guards in the game. Simmons ultimately gave the starter spot to Luka Doncic, albeit “begrudgingly,” but the fact that Murray’s name was even in that conversation speaks volumes about how far he’s come.
Simmons didn’t stop there. When he moved on to selecting his reserve picks, Jamal Murray was the first name out of his mouth.
That kind of endorsement from a national voice is significant. It reinforces what fans in Denver - and increasingly, around the league - have seen all season: Jamal Murray isn’t just playing well.
He’s dominating.
Let’s talk numbers. Murray is averaging 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, all while shooting a scorching 48% from the field, 45% from three, and 89% from the free-throw line.
Those are All-NBA caliber numbers, not just All-Star worthy. And maybe the most encouraging stat of all: he’s played in 37 of the Nuggets’ 41 games.
For a player who’s battled injuries and inconsistency in past regular seasons, that availability has been a game-changer - both for his team and his All-Star case.
This isn’t just a hot streak. Murray came into the season in shape, locked in, and ready to take another leap.
He’s been the Nuggets’ engine alongside Nikola Jokic, and when Jokic missed time, Murray stepped up in a major way. Denver went 6-3 without the reigning MVP - a stretch that might’ve sunk other contenders.
Instead, Murray kept the team afloat, showing leadership and poise that goes beyond the box score.
For years, Murray carried the unofficial title of “best player to never make an All-Star Game.” That label was a mix of frustration and respect - everyone knew what he was capable of, especially after his playoff heroics, but the regular-season consistency hadn’t always been there.
This year, though, he’s flipped that narrative on its head. He’s not just showing flashes; he’s been doing it night in and night out.
And while Simmons’ vote only counts toward the All-Star starters - with coaches selecting the reserves - his voice carries weight. He’s a tastemaker in NBA circles, and when he casually tosses Murray’s name into the starting lineup debate, it helps shape the broader conversation. It’s not just that Murray might make the All-Star team this year - it’s that people are starting to wonder why it took this long.
Simmons also gave a surprising shoutout to Michael Porter Jr., naming the former Nugget as a reserve on his Eastern Conference All-Star team. While MPJ now plays in the East, Simmons praised his ability to take over games and go toe-to-toe with the league’s best. It’s another sign of how much respect Denver’s core is earning across the league.
But make no mistake: this moment belongs to Jamal Murray. He’s earned every bit of this spotlight, and if the All-Star Game is meant to showcase the best and brightest the league has to offer, then Murray’s spot should be all but locked in. This isn’t a feel-good story - it’s a long-overdue acknowledgment of one of the game’s most dynamic guards finally putting it all together.