The Nuggets will play it safe with Jamal Murray’s return to the court
Mar 18, 2022, 6:52 AM
Along with the announcement that Jamal Murray is beginning his comeback, with an assignment to the Denver Nuggets D-League affiliate in Grand Rapids, has come lots of speculation. Questions from the media and fans now abound.
Is he physically ready to come back? Is he coming back too soon? How will he fit back into an already playoff-bound team? How will he affect the rotation? Should he be coming back at all this year?
All those questions will be answered in time. But we can be assured of something right now: The Nuggets will make the right decisions with their star guard.
The repeated word from Nuggets camp is that the team will error on the side of caution with Murray.The comeback will not be rushed. In fact, it appears to be the opposite.
The Nuggets will surely take their time with Murray and his reconstructed knee. There is no way the organization will do anything but take this thing very, very slowly.
And, I think we can be certain that Murray himself will do the same thing. He completely understands the situation.
In a recent interview, he stated he was excited to come back but was not “overanxious.” Murray is not coming just to come back, just be on the court again. It’s not like he’s a rookie and needs to establish his game or needs to play for another contract. He is already a superstar. And he has his money. Now, he just wants to help this team win games. And he and the front office know they need un-rushed decisions to make that happen.
It’s also a safe bet that when he does reappear in a Nuggets uniform, the coaching staff will make rational and informed decisions with him and his minutes. He won’t be thrust into games. They will ease him in, and make decisions about playing time based on both his performance and his thoughts.
Jamal Murray is coming back. And he’s coming back to help the Nuggets win games.
The Nuggets are going to the playoffs. And appear to be doing it with Jamal Murray.
Instead of questioning the idea, let’s embrace it!
I can’t wait!
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