Jamal Murray is absolutely owning the NBA right now – and it's making us all question if this could finally be his ticket to All-Star stardom! But here's where it gets really exciting: with the league shaking things up, Murray's star might just be on the rise in ways fans have been dreaming about for years.
Picture this: Jamal Murray has essentially turned the court into his personal playground. While the Denver Nuggets have been riding a rollercoaster of inconsistency – think frustrating home defeats to the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs – their dynamic guard has been stealthily crafting what looks like his most impressive regular-season opener ever, at least from a stats perspective. For newcomers to basketball, this means he's been putting up numbers that highlight his scoring prowess and overall impact in ways that even seasoned observers are buzzing about.
Take his standout show against the Spurs on Friday night at Ball Arena. He exploded for 37 points, propelling his November scoring average across his first 12 games to a stellar 23.2 points per outing. This isn't just a fluke; it's his strongest November performance since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything, showing a level of consistency that's hard to ignore. And if you're wondering why this matters, imagine a player who, despite a history of gradual starts to the season, is now hitting his stride early – it's like a sprinter finally finding their perfect rhythm right out of the gate.
Let's break down those November numbers for clarity: From November 1 through 28, Murray hit 48% of his shots from the floor and an impressive 40.4% from beyond the arc. As of Saturday morning, his monthly averages stood at 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers per game. To put this in perspective, compare it to last year: In November 2024, he averaged 17.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.2 threes over 10 games. Going back to 2023, it was even lower at 12.5 points, 6.3 assists, and just 1.5 threes in only four appearances. This leap isn't accidental – it's a testament to his dedication.
Given that Murray has often been a player who warms up slowly, our Grading The Week team decided to take a break from our turkey sandwiches and give a well-deserved shoutout to the 'Blue Arrow.' For starters, he vowed that a summer focused on staying healthy and rigorous training would translate to stronger early-season performance. And so far, he's delivering on that promise – a great example of how preparation can turn potential into reality. Plus, with the NBA tweaking the All-Star Game format, there's fresh hope for Murray to earn a spot at 28 years old.
Instead of the usual conference battles, the event now features a Team USA versus Team World competition. But here's the twist most people miss: It's actually a three-team setup with eight players each, no position restrictions, competing in a round-robin style. For beginners, this means more fluid, exciting gameplay without strict roles – think of it like a free-for-all talent showcase. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, averaging 32.6 points and 6.6 assists as of last Friday, seems like a sure bet for a Team World guard position. So, Murray needs to maintain this momentum to join his fellow Canadian at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, in mid-February. Each week, he's inching closer from 'almost there' to full-blown All-Star. And this is the part that could spark debate: Is Murray's improved form enough to outshine established stars, or does the new format unfairly favor high-scoring players over well-rounded contributors? What do you think – should he make it this time?
Shifting gears to college hoops, Tad Boyle is proving he's still got that coaching magic – earning a solid A from us. The new Denver University men's basketball coach, Tim Bergstraser, caught our eye earlier this month with wins against the Colorado State Rams and standout player Ali Farokhmanesh in Fort Collins. Meanwhile, Steve Smiley's UNC Bears are sitting pretty at 6-1 after a Wednesday win at Air Force. Thanksgiving weekend is bringing some juicy inter-conference matchups, and no local team has risen to the occasion quite like our old friend Tad Boyle's CU Buffs.
From November 21 to 28, the Buffs (now 7-0) demolished UC Davis at home by 16 points, then headed to Palm Desert, California, for a holiday tournament. There, they defeated a strong San Francisco squad by 10 and capped it off with an 81-68 win over Washington on Friday, powered by Bangot Dak's 15 points and 11 rebounds. For those new to college basketball, this streak highlights how early wins can build momentum and attract attention from ranking systems.
It's premature to make big predictions in the local men's hoops scene, but it's the perfect time to get hopeful. As of late Friday, CU's strong week boosted them to No. 65 on KenPom.com's rankings, just edging out Colorado State at No. 68. With both rivals eyeing a notable victory before Christmas, the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Moby Arena on December 6 promises to be intense – think of it as Russell Wilson might say, 'awfully spicy.' But here's where controversy creeps in: Is Boyle's success a coaching triumph, or does it downplay the talent on his roster? And for the Buffs versus Rams rivalry, what factors do you believe will decide that showdown – strategy, home-court advantage, or sheer determination? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments – do you agree Murray's All-Star-bound, or disagree on Boyle's grade? Let's discuss!
