This much is for certain: the Nuggets wouldn't be a win away from their first NBA title without guard Jamal Murray.
Murray, playing some of the most complete basketball of his career, is averaging 23.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 10.5 assists through the first four games of the NBA Finals. In Game 3, he burned the Heat for a triple double with 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists—becoming, along with center Nikola Jokić, part of the first pair of teammates to record 30-point triple doubles in any NBA game.
However, Hall of Fame forward Paul Pierce went a step further in his praise Friday.
Pierce suggested that Murray is the best point guard in the league—a stunning declaration for a player still without an All-Star appearance that drew commentary from fans worldwide.
Jamal Murray is the best point gaurd in the league 😳😳😳
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) June 10, 2023
Many questioned whether Murray has truly surpassed Warriors guard Steph Curry, even at the latter's advanced age.
Respect to Paul Pierce, but obvious prisoner of the moment type of tweet. Jamal Murray is definitely someone to be taken seriously as one the best, but he ain’t Steph Curry!! 🤫🏀💯 https://t.co/SBQ5xq8Hyb
— Ed Gordo (@EdGordo6) June 10, 2023
https://t.co/fz9P3cwgRr pic.twitter.com/5ftnQqhjzX
— President Curry. (@Curry4daW) June 10, 2023
folks always do this with steph. i’m tired https://t.co/7BQ7usz7P9
— alex 🦖 (@bantheshift) June 10, 2023
To others, Murray barely cracked the top 10.
Sigh
— H⚜️ (@Laaattimore) June 10, 2023
No order:
Steph, Dame, Luka, Ja, Trae, Shai, Kyrie https://t.co/BuYSGYVjUD
Some suggested that Pierce's ranking reflected as much on him as it did on Murray.
Paul Pierce might be the dumbest HOF of all time https://t.co/wAQdc9q51R
— Hamza (@hammytakes) June 10, 2023
A few went even further, asking whether Murray, listed as both a point and shooting guard on Basketball Reference, can even be considered a true point guard.
Jamal Murray is a hybrid guard.
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) June 10, 2023
Nikola Jokic is a point center. https://t.co/pxT4Gkcpil pic.twitter.com/F2FASp8iae
The timing of Pierce's tweet was also criticized, as Murray was relatively inefficient from a shooting standpoint in Game 4.
Bro shot 5-17 and is getting bitw at his position takes????? https://t.co/cEJgJxxY6A
— Rholmes (@ReillyHolmes3) June 10, 2023
