There’s simply no system of measurement that would say that Jamal Murray isn’t an All-Star this season. He’s averaging 25 points per game, dishing out assists and a career high mark, and generally playing the best basketball of his NBA career. He’s more than All-Star worthy.
But is he one of the eight best international players out there this season?
All-Star voting is underway. Murray is not likely to get much fan vote support. Fortunately, that’s not the deciding factor… plus, the East-West voting this year doesn’t hitch up with the format of the games – Team USA vs. Team World.
The coaches and league will end up selecting the 24 players for the three All-Star squads. Two made up of Americans, and one of foreign-born players. They’ll play a round-robin format. What Murray backers need to focus on is where Jamal stands in relation to other foreign-born guys, because that’s what the selections will come down to. Eight of the 24 spots are reserved for players born in other countries, like Serbia and Murray’s home country, Canada, for instance. And position doesn’t matter. The World Team could have five centers.
The Great Eight of international players would obviously begin with Denver’s own Nikola Jokić… but it’s also bound to include reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, future MVP Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio and perhaps Alperen Sengun from Houston. Go ahead and write in Pascal Siakam from Indiana and perhaps Joel Embiid of the Sixers, too. Australia’s Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls and Finland’s Lauri Markkanen of Utah will get strong consideration, too.
That’s more than eight right there. But only three (other than Jamal) are guards/ball-handlers.
Here’s where we toss in this important note/idea: As of right now, it’s unlikely at best that Joker participates, given that he’s scheduled to come back from his left knee injury around the first of February, and the All-Star weekend will be just two weeks later. While Murray actually being chosen for an All-Star roster spot is anything but a sure thing, Jokić’s injury could make it so that Jamal gets the nod to take Joker’s place.
Joker would need to hold off on announcing his plan not to play until just a few days before the game, and then the Nuggets could press the league to agree to have Jamal take his place.
Missing as many games as he’s scheduled to miss already will eliminate Joker from the MVP race, so he’d have a legitimate reason to skip playing in the All-Star games. In that case, why couldn’t he hand over his All-Star roster spot to his very worthy teammate? How could this be viewed as anything but a cool thing by the NBA brass?
Murray playing in the All-Star games without Jokić would be ironic too, given that Joker has never before in his 10-year career played alongside another All-Star. They’d miss out on that opportunity once again, but Jamal would finally get his due, and they could be All-Star teammates during the rest of the NBA season.
That would be a nice win for the Nuggets.
Strike 2: Joker’s injury could make Jamal Murray an All-Star Mile High Sports.
Hence then, the article about strike 2 joker s injury could make jamal murray an all star was published today ( ) and is available on Mile High Sports ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Strike 2: Joker’s injury could make Jamal Murray an All-Star )
Also on site :