After missing the entire 2018/19 season due to an ACL tear, Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray began the 2019/20 campaign on a minutes restriction and then was removed from the starting lineup. However, head coach Gregg Popovich didn’t necessarily view that move as a demotion — the team believed that removing the responsibilities of running the first-team offense might allow Murray to play a “freer, more instinctual game,” writes Jeff McDonald of The San Antonio Express-News.
While Murray’s play for the second unit has been up and down, he had one of his best games of the season last Friday in a Spurs win over Sacramento, with 14 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in 32 minutes. That last number may be the most important of the bunch, as it suggests Murray’s minutes restriction is no longer in effect. With no more nightly cap on his playing time, Murray is eager to show what he can do.
“I know it takes time,” the Spurs’ guard said. “There was the minute restriction, a lot of stuff going on. It is what it is. I’m going to bust my tail, continue to work, continue to learn. I’m just ready to be unleashed.”
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- After being held out of Monday’s game, Josh Jackson once again won’t play for the Memphis Hustle on Wednesday, the Grizzlies announced today (via Twitter). Jackson, who reportedly missed a team meeting, has essentially received a two-game suspension for violating team rules.
- What sort of trade options might the Grizzlies have for Andre Iguodala? Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian takes a deep dive and explores several hypothetical scenarios, labeling the Mavericks as Memphis’ most logical trade partner and the Nuggets and Raptors as possible wild cards.
- Lonzo Ball was one of the key pieces acquired by the Pelicans in their blockbuster trade with the Lakers over the summer, and New Orleans is doing all it can to get the most out of the former No. 2 overall pick. Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com takes a closer look at how the Pelicans have worked on rebuilding Ball’s jump shot.
Lonzo just isn’t good. First it was he’s up there with Steph Curry, then it was oh he’s not the best now but in 5 years time he will be the best PG in the league. He’s literally trash. He’s like a Micheal Carter-Williams but only with a better highlight reel and given more opportunities.
He can’t shoot it consistently (yes he can shot it well from deep but is very streaky), he is a really really talented passer with some crazy passes but again he isn’t good enough to run an offence well for long periods. He rebounds well but that’s one of those things, if you really go after boards you’ll get them, plus it helps that he’s a 6’6 PG. He plays defence well that’s why he keeps getting minutes but again he’s 6’6 and guards guys 5 inches smaller than him.
Yes i see he is extremely talented and he has a good mind set but he isn’t consistent. The only way he shots better is by feeling comfortable and throwing up thousands of shots.
If I was the Pels I’d trade him now while his value is still up before he turns into an Elfrid Payton.
If Payton was a stock I would get me some in case the Knicks get some wins and the media machine there kicks into gear.
Lonzo has been buried
Payton defiantly gets going for small streaks but it never lasts more than 15 games.
I’d be buying stocks in Malik Beasley (not getting minutes, value is getting worse and worse but we all know end of the year some team will pay him and he will average 15+ points as a starter).
Didn’t realize Lonzo was Andre Drummond level FT% before this year. He is pretty trash as a 28-30MP player. He should only be getting half that tbh.
Knicks should trade DSJ for Lonzo.
NYC media would eat it up. At a bare minimum it’s a change of pace.