Jamal Murray is an NBA Champion and the primary scorer for his NBA team, the Denver Nuggets. However, he hasn't been featured similarly for Canada at Paris 2024, playing coming off the bench. Murray opened up on his reduced role for his national team, explaining how everyone on the team is committed to playing their assigned role.
“I'm feeling great. Obviously, I was away from the team for a while, So, I'm not starting, but we're a bunch of selfless guys that don't need all of that. I think we have a great starting unit. Lu's doing his thing, and Dillon's playing amazing. Obviously, Shai, Dwight, RJ, so, guys come in; everybody has their role."
Murray used Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton as an example from Team USA, showing that high-level players just care about winning for their country and not their personal stats.
"You saw Jayson Tatum didn't play a single minute. Tyrese Haliburton didn't play. I think a lot of guys on other teams are starting for their respective NBA teams. So, it's not an ego thing over here. We're just trying to get the win. I think that's why it's a lot of fun because it's a bunch of players from the same country trying to get a win and not worrying about stats or roles.”
Murray has come off the bench behind the starting unit of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , R.J. Barrett, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks, and Dwight Powell.
In their first game against Greece, Murray put up eight points (2-6 FG) as the sixth man, struggling to adjust to the Greek defense. In their last game against Australia, Murray played starter-caliber minutes but managed just five points (2-7 FG). He played 18 minutes against Greece before seeing a bump in minutes to 24 against Australia.
Players like Barrett are thriving as Canada's primary scoring options, with Shai also taking a big role. The depth of guards on the national team is likely squeezing Murray out. He skipped last year's FIBA World Cup due to the Nuggets' run to the Championship, which has hurt the chemistry with his teammates on the court.
Murray is a microwave scorer, so all he needs is one game to find his shot and dominate. However, Canada also has Andrew Nembhard on the bench who many believe should become the primary sixth man for the team amidst Murray's struggles.
Canada won their opening two games and is guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals. Murray should get to start against Spain in their final group-stage game to see if he can get his confidence back ahead of the win-or-go-home portion of the tournament where Murray or the national team can't afford any mistakes.
Related: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Says Canada Does Not Fear Team USA: "They Sweat And Bleed Just Like Us"
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