NBA star’s praise for new Aussie teammate, advice for Josh Giddey
NBA star Jamal Murray has heaped praise on teen sensation Josh Giddey and pinpointed what he can do to take his game to the next level.
NBA star Jamal Murray has heaped praise on Aussie teen sensation Josh Giddey and says he’s excited to play with a new Australian teammate at the Denver Nuggets.
Murray missed all of last season with injury after rupturing his ACL during the Nuggets’ playoff run in the 2020-21 season.
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The 25-year-old had been forming a lethal combination with Michael Porter Jr and centre Nikola Jokic before he got injured and Porter Jr underwent back surgery and was out for almost the entirety of last season.
Jokic is the two-time reigning NBA MVP and with Murray and Porter Jr set to return in the upcoming season, hopes are high the Nuggets can be a serious contender in the Western Conference and make a run for the championship.
One player who will be looking to make an impact in Denver is Australian Jack White, who was rewarded for his impressive Summer League, signing a two-way contract with the Nuggets and recently linking up with the team.
The former Duke captain and Melbourne United player quickly made an impression, breaking the Nuggets’ record for the team’s 100 three-pointers shooting drill.
“Every summer we always do “Nuggets 100” — it’s just a series of different three pointers and they count your score at the end of it,” Murray explained to news.com.au.
“And as of right now he has the record. A handful of us haven’t done it, but we weren’t expecting him to be able to shoot the way he’s shooting right now.”
Murray said White’s versatility has been impressive and he expected the 25-year-old to make a solid contribution to Denver’s squad come the season proper, which begins in October.
“He’s good,” Murray said.
“He kind of does everything on the court, He can rebound, he’s strong, he’s physical and he can shoot. So he’s going to play his role really well for us.”
Giddey is ‘ahead of his time’
He’s only 19 years old but but following his stellar rookie campaign, Josh Giddey is already close to the biggest name in Australian basketball.
Giddey appears primed for a breakout second season, with the first glimpse of his combination with No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren at Summer League sending OKC fans wild.
Murray is yet to face off against the Aussie young gun but as a fellow guard, he likes what he has seen so far.
“I haven’t played against him much but he’s a great passer and he has a great feel for the game,” he said.
“I think he’s going to be really good when he gets older as well because right now, he’s ahead of his time in terms of feel for the game.”
Giddey didn’t receive a single vote in the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award and the one knock on him so far has been his shooting action and ability to score.
“He can always work on his shot,” Murray said.
“He’s just a big guard than can really pass, and if he can get a jumpshot that can be consistent every night, he can be really dangerous.”
The hype for Giddey Down Under is real. Murray was in Sydney to help launch the pop up “NBA Gallery” on Sydney’s Eddy Avenue, which features several artworks honouring Australians who have played in the NBA, including a graffiti work of Giddey by artist Scott Marsh.
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