(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Canada’s men’s basketball team is undefeated at the 2024 Paris Olympics after winning their latest game against Spain, 88-85.
They are now 3-0 in group play and heading into the next round.
As great as they have been, one player has been having some problems.
According to Harrison Wind, Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets only posted four points and six assists with three turnovers during 17 minutes against Spain.
Those aren’t stellar numbers, but Wind reminded readers that Murray has been playing an off-the-ball role just like his coaches have asked.
Overall, he’s shot 1-of-10 from beyond the 3-point line.
Jamal Murray and Canada are 3-0 at the Olympics after beating Spain. Murray finishes with 4 points, 6 assists but 3 turnovers in 17 minutes. Not a great individual showing, but Murray’s playing the off-the-ball role Canada’s asking him to. Overall, he’s shooting just 1-10 from 3.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) August 2, 2024
It’s somewhat surprising to see Murray having these sorts of problems.
Last season with the Nuggets, he averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game on 48.1 percent shooting from the field and a very strong 42.5 percent from the 3-point line.
He’s simply not scoring like that in the Olympics, but it’s not entirely his fault.
During the NBA regular season, Murray is playing at least 31 minutes per game.
He isn’t on the court that much during the Olympics, partly because there is just so much talent on Team Canada.
It is only natural that Murray will spend more time on the bench when his teammates are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks and others.
Still, Murray isn’t performing like fans are used to and that’s troubling, especially since the competition will only get harder in the days ahead.
The good news is that Canada is still undefeated and they could be on their way to a gold medal.
However, their chances of winning it all will be much larger if Murray cleans up his shooting and starts landing more buckets.
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