It’s been an ascending season for the Denver Nuggets, currently 32-26 and the 6-seed in the Western Conference. The second-year emergence of Jamal Murray certainly helped bring them up a level.
Murray was at this past weekend’s All-Star festivities, competing in the Rising Stars Game. Mountain Dew Kickstart is the new presenting sponsor of the Rising Stars Game, and they are partnering with up and coming players like Murray to evolve Rising Stars into a yearlong program.
Murray spoke with The Step Back’s Paul Centopani from the Mtn Dew Kickstart Courtside Studios where he was interacting with NBA All-Star fans and showcasing his off the court lifestyle. From now until March 19, fans can participate in the #CourtSidekickContest. Murray spoke about the game and his improved play this season.
Paul Centopani: Congratulations on getting selected for the Mountain Dew Rising Stars game. You competed for the World Team and you guys won on Friday night. Which teammate did you enjoy playing with the most in that game?
Jamal Murray: I’d say Dillon Brooks, that’s my Canadian brethren. We spent a lot of years going against each other and playing with each other, so it was good to be back on the court with him on the same team for once.
PC: Nice, a fellow Canadian. In that vein, what do you miss most about Canada now that you’re in the states?
JM: I just miss seeing everybody, man, you know? All my relationships, all my friends and family. Not being able to see them every other day and have a good time. Obviously, you want to see people you know every day. I just kinda miss my family and miss my little brother and hanging around in my hometown.
PC: The home court advantage of playing a mile high in Denver gets brought up often. How long did it take for you to adjust to the altitude?
JM: Anytime you spend time away from Denver, to come back and play, it always hurts. The air is crazy up there. You gotta get yourself back into shape for the next couple days and then it goes away. But that’s what helps during the games because teams come through and they’re not ready for the altitude and we’ve got the advantage.
PC: Yeah, from what I’ve heard it’s real. I’ve never been out there, but I hear you need some time. So your rookie year, you had ups and downs like most rookies do. But this year you’ve found consistency. You shot 33 percent from 3 last year and you’re almost at 39 percent this season. Was it just a matter of getting more experience or did you work on specific things to help you out?
JM: I’m just playing with more confidence and I’m not really overthinking. I’ve earned my spot at the point guard position and I’m playing freely and not thinking about whether “this goes in or not.” I’m not putting pressure on myself when I’m out there and playing the way I play and nothing else.
PC: Good. You can tell you have more confidence out there. Have you had Rocky Mountain oysters yet?
JM: Rocky Mountain oysters? No, last time I had oysters I got sick so I’ve been staying away from them.
PC: So Rocky Mountain oysters are bull testicles. They’re a delicacy in those parts.
JM: Oh, [laughing] no I haven’t had that.
PC: That’s fair, I’m not sure I’d have them either. Do you listen to music to get ready for a game?
JM: Oh yeah, I listen to a lot of music. A lot of Lil Wayne, a lot of J. Cole, definitely a lot of Kanye. I move around with what I listen to, it goes off of my mood, but I have a variety of music I listen to.
PC: Did you like Life of Pablo?
JM: Hell yeah. That, Graduation, I listen to all that.
PC: So you grew up in Ontario, in a place that’s between Toronto and Detroit. Who was your team growing up?
JM: Toronto.
PC: You have any favorite players?
JM: Vincy. Vince was my favorite player growing up. He’s my favorite player of all time. There’s Jordan and all the greats, LeBron and Steph and all them, but Vince is my number one. I used to imitate the dunks in my room. I just loved the passion he played with in Toronto and loved watching him play.
PC: Yeah, definitely. He was their first star. Have you gotten to play against him?
JM: Yeah, we played against him last year when he was on Memphis and obviously this year in Sacramento.
PC: Did you get to tell him that he was your guy?
JM: Yeah I told him, I got the official introduction and he was great.
PC: You guys have a fun team and run a less conventional lineup without a true point guard. What adjustments did you make to have to play the 1?
JM: No adjustment, I’ve been playing the 1 my whole life. The only time I didn’t was at Kentucky. So there was no adjustment. I just get to go out there and play more of my game and I’m a lot more comfortable with the ball in my hands, being able to make plays and lead my team.
PC: What do you guys like to do on the road or on a flight? Do you play cards or anything like that? Do you read?
JM: I do a lot of playing games and stuff. Watch a lot of game film, try and get better.
PC: Of course, of course. What games are you guys playing?
JM: I play games I got on my phone. I’m a big Clash Royale fan. You know that game?
Next: Q&A with Dennis Smith Jr.: Dunk contest, Bojangles and learning from Dirk
PC: Oh yeah yeah, I know that game. Okay, last question before I let you go. Outside of Denver, of course, what’s your favorite city you’ve been to?
JM: Toronto [laughing]. Easy one.
PC: [laughs] A true Canadian through and through. Alright, Jamal, that’s all I got for you. Good luck the rest of the way and thanks for your time, appreciate it.
JM: Alright, thank you.