Alright, so I’ve been meaning to share this little project I took on recently, all focused on Jamaal Murray. It wasn’t anything super formal, just me wanting to dig a bit deeper into his game, especially after everything he’s been through.
My Approach to Understanding Murray’s Game
So, I kicked things off by just… watching. A lot. I mean, I’ve always watched NBA games, but this time I was specifically zoning in on Murray. I went back and rewatched a bunch of his older games, even before the big injury. I wanted to get a baseline, you know?
Then, the deep dive started.
I started paying super close attention to his comeback games. My main goal was to see the progression. It wasn’t about stats for me at first. It was more about:
- How was he moving? Was there any hesitation?
- What about his body language? Did he look confident?
- How was his interaction with Jokic? Was that chemistry still there, or did it need rebuilding?
I literally made notes. Just simple stuff, jotting down observations after each game I focused on. “Looked a bit slow on defense today,” or “Hit some really tough shots, seemed like his old self.” It was pretty basic, nothing fancy.
Breaking Down the Specifics
After a while of general observation, I started to look for patterns. What were his go-to moves when the pressure was on? We all know he’s clutch, but I wanted to see it, break it down for myself. Was it the step-back jumper? Driving to the hoop? His floater game?
I spent a good chunk of time just focusing on his pick-and-roll plays. Man, that two-man game with Jokic is something else. I’d rewind plays over and over, trying to see the little things – the screen angles, Murray’s reads, how he used the space created.
It wasn’t always easy.
Sometimes I’d watch a game and think I saw something, then watch another and he’d do something completely different. But that’s the beauty of it, right? Players adapt. But slowly, I started to feel like I had a better handle on his tendencies, his strengths, and even the areas he was clearly working on post-injury.
I didn’t use any special software or anything. Just me, the TV, and my notepad. It was more about dedicated watching and trying to see beyond just the ball going in the hoop.
What I Took Away
By the end of this little personal project, I felt like I had a much richer appreciation for Jamaal Murray as a player. It’s one thing to see the highlights, but it’s another to try and follow the journey, the struggles, and the triumphs in a more focused way. Seeing him work his way back, the grit involved, that was the most impressive part for me. It’s more than just talent; it’s that sheer will. And yeah, I’m still watching him, probably with a bit more of an analytical eye than before, all thanks to this little deep dive I did.
