Colin Cowherd Suggests Nuggets Move On From Jamal Murray After Embarrassing Game 7 Loss To Thunder

Sports analyst Colin Cowherd thinks the Nuggets should try to trade Jamal Murray after the Canadian star struggles against the Thunder.

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Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The sports world was stunned as the battle of MVP candidates ended in misery for the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets got blown out in Game 7 and exited the Playoffs after a 32-point loss to the Thunder. Among the concerning elements for the 2023 NBA champions was Jamal Murray’s inconsistent performance, along with Aaron Gordon’s injury. Colin Cowherd had had enough of this inconsistency from Murray. He went on his podcast after the game ended to suggest that the Nuggets look to move on from him. 

On his initial impressions of the game point to Murray’s inconsistency, Cowherd said, “A stinker in game seven at OKC, which I kind of had a vibe. In fact, I’m surprised it went seven. Gordon’s injury, even in the winning games, I felt like Jokic was just running out of gas. Jamal Murray provided very little…I felt like you know they play their a** off early, but you know from Caruso on Jokic, to Murray’s absence. Cason Wallace is hitting shots… It’s not going to be their day.”

He further added, “I will say this, Oklahoma City was favored…I thought it would be a really good series. I do think you, kind of, have to sort of, I mean, Christian Braun played a lot better, I think you do have to examine Jamal Murray. I just think in too many big games he has injuries in, too many big games, Jason. I just don’t I just don’t feel like I’m getting… He was never hyper athletic anyway.. I think it’s time to shuffle the deck. I think I would if it was me, I would keep Gordon, Brown for his energy, I would keep Jokic, obviously. I’d move anything else I’d take any call.”


Can We Really Blame Jamal Murray?

With Murray, health was not the most concerning factor, as even with the flu, he was able to have a stellar game in Game 6. However, it seemed like his health finally caught up with him. Murray struggled in Game 7 with only 13 points in 16 shot attempts. As the second option on a championship-contending team, a game like this was not an option for Murray.

In three of the Nuggets’ four losses in this series, Murray scored below 20 points with an inefficient offensive output. He shot 4 of 9 in Game 2 with 16 points, 5 of 15 in Game 4 with 17 points, and 6 of 16 in Game 7. It shows how crucial a Jamal Murray masterclass is for the Nuggets to succeed. Murray struggled with the flu in Game 6 and still managed to drop 25 points to force a Game 7.

While Murray cannot be single-handedly blamed, the Nuggets’ next move depends on whether the front office decides to break up their core and rebuild around Jokic once again. Michael Porter Jr, who struggled with a shoulder injury throughout the series, is more likely to be moved than Jamal Murray. But the core trio of Jokic, Murray, and Porter Jr will need some serious inspection in the offseason. Since Jokic believes the Nuggets cannot win another championship with the same approach, maybe the front office will look to move both Porter Jr and Murray to get Jokic a more reliable point guard, like potentially Trae Young or Ja Morant.

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Chaitanya Dadhwal is an NBA Analyst and Columnist at Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. He fell in love with basketball in 2018 after seeing James Harden in his prime. He joined the sports journalism world in 2021, one year before finishing his law school in 2022. He attended Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat, India, where his favorite subject was also Sports Law.He transitioned from law to journalism after realizing his true passion for sports and basketball in particular. Even though his journalism is driven by his desire to understand both sides of an argument and give a neutral perspective, he openly admits he is biased towards the Houston Rockets and Arsenal. But that intersection of in-depth analysis and passion helps him simplify the fine print and complex language for his readers.His goal in life is to open his own sports management agency one day and represent athletes. He wants to ensure he can help bridge the gap in equal opportunity for athletes across various sports and different genders playing the same sport.
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