Top 5 NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates for 2017
2. SG Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
I had Murray ranked as the best prospect in the draft coming in. Was I the only one? Most likely, but the talents that make him effective should translate incredibly well to the next level, even if not in a role that compares in size to somebody like Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram.
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Murray is, almost without question, the most skilled perimeter scorer in the draft. Buddy Hield is the only outside shooter within the same realm of production from beyond the arc, and his scoring instincts on that side of the ball are unmatched. He doesn’t have the most explosive athletic profile, but he’s crafty with the ball in his hands and understands how to find his spots on the floor in just about any scenario at a level few other can match, especially at his age (19).
Whether it’s handling the ball or playing off of Emmanuel Mudiay on the outside, Murray is going to be placed into a position where he can produce at a high clip. He moves extremely well off the ball, often freeing himself up for looks with his movement off of screens in a highly Klay Thompson-esque manner. When he does catch the ball, he’s a confident shot maker who come off of picks en route to the basket or step back and knock down a perimeter jumper in isolation. He outsmarts his opposition rather than overpowering them, and is incredibly savvy when executing on the offensive end.
Murray played point guard at the high school level and with the Canadian national team in the past, only reassuring his prowess as a passer. He’ll likely work best as a primary scorer at the two-spot in the NBA, but has the versatility in a sense to produce in multiple ways for Mike Malone and company.
Despite his defensive woes, Murray is a special offensive player. He’s an intelligent creator with scoring instincts and an overall feel for the game that is rarely seen out of players his age. With the league transitioning ever more towards a pace-and-space style of play and outside shooting, an elite perimeter scoring threat should have plenty of potential at the NBA level. This is a Nuggets squad that is making improvements and should be able to feature Murray as their starting two-guard, putting him in a position to play well.
Next: 1. Simmons