At just 27, Jamal Murray has an impressive track record that includes an NBA championship and a playoff average of 24.2 points per game.
The Denver Nuggets point guard further cemented his elite status in the 2023-24 season, averaging over 21 points per game and ranking in the top ten for three-point shooting percentage.
Despite his success, Murray has yet to receive an All-Star selection, making him one of the most accomplished active players without that honor. As the 2024-25 season approaches, the question arises: will this be the year he finally becomes an All-Star?
Western Conference All-Star Landscape
The competition for the Western Conference All-Star team is fierce for guards. Two starters and two reserves are chosen, along with two additional “wild card” spots.
Assuming no injuries, five guards are nearly guaranteed spots on the team:
Luka Doncic: Averaged nearly 33.9 points per game with a triple-double in 2023-24 and led the Mavericks to the Finals, finishing third in MVP voting.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: The MVP runner-up with 30.1 points per game, he led the Thunder to the top seed in the West.
Stephen Curry: Earned the Clutch Player of the Year Award, shooting 40.8% from three on 11.8 attempts per game.
Anthony Edwards: Finished seventh in MVP voting with 25.9 points per game, helping the Timberwolves reach the Conference Finals.
Devin Booker: An explosive scorer and playmaker, he averaged 27.1 points and 6.9 assists, leading the Suns to the playoffs despite their defensive struggles.
This leaves only one potential “wild card” guard spot available.
Murray vs. His Competition
Murray faces stiff competition from several notable players:
Ja Morant: In 2022-23, he averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, and had a lower defensive rating.
Kyrie Irving: Last season, he averaged 25.6 points and shot 41.1% from three.
De’Aaron Fox: Averaged 26.6 points, 5.6 assists, and was a top defender.
Murray’s statistics last season included 21.2 points, 6.5 assists, and a 42.5% shooting rate from three.
Both Murray and Irving excel as shooters, while Morant and Fox attack the rim with ferocity. Morant ranked second in drives per game during his last healthy season, effectively collapsing defenses. Fox, noted for his perimeter defense, led the league in steals and had a significant impact on his team’s offensive success.
On the defensive side, Fox outperformed the others, leading in steals and deflections, while Morant had a better one-on-one defensive rating than both Murray and Irving.
The Verdict
Murray’s conventional stats don’t quite measure up to Morant, Irving, and Fox, and his advanced metrics are similar but not superior. Although he’s known for clutch performances in the playoffs, his regular-season crunch-time stats have been eclipsed by Fox’s strong showing and Irving’s high shooting percentage in close games.
A closer examination reveals that both Irving and Fox had exceptional seasons without an All-Star selection, highlighting the depth in the Western Conference. While Murray’s talent and role on a championship team are undeniable, unless he makes a remarkable improvement this season, he may miss out on the All-Star game again.
