Even during their championship run, the Nuggets have always leaned more towards finesse rather than physicality. While they boast size and have bruisers like Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon, they’re not typically seen as “tough guys.”
Bruce Brown and Jeff Green had some grit, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has recently shown similar traits. However, none of them are really considered enforcers.
This isn’t meant to be a critique; after all, basketball isn’t hockey. The Nuggets aren’t a soft team, nor do they get pushed around easily. It’s simply an interesting observation in a sport often more physical than it appears.
Recent championship teams have featured physical tone-setters like Draymond Green, Jrue Holiday, and P.J. Tucker. While these players weren’t always the stars, they brought an invaluable presence to their teams.
The Nuggets may have added some toughness with Russell Westbrook, although his current performance level remains uncertain. Ideally, younger players like Peyton Watson or DaRon Holmes will emerge to fill that role. Still, beyond Jokic, there isn’t a clear intimidator on the team.
However, Jamal Murray, Jokic’s co-star, could potentially take on that role. He already exudes confidence and isn’t shy about trash-talking, showing composure in critical moments.
That said, he hasn’t been physically imposing or known for dominating with size. This may change, as he was recently spotted training with former UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski.
This is promising for several reasons. It’s exciting that Murray is engaging in physical combat training. While we hope he never finds himself in a fight during a game, it’s reassuring to know he can hold his own and won’t shy away from confrontation.
More importantly, it signals that Jamal is healthy enough for this level of training. If he’s stepping into the Octagon and participating in mixed martial arts, he’s likely feeling good and ready for training camp.
Ultimately, the biggest X-factor for the Nuggets this season will be Murray’s health and his ability to perform like a star. While this isn’t the definitive answer, it’s all we have until preseason, and seeing this certainly provides Nuggets fans with optimism.
