Even a jet-lagged Nikola Jokic could sense something different from Jamal Murray on Monday morning.
All it took was a 15-minute news conference in front of local media before Joker knew his running mate was back.
“You can see the change of his mindset,” the two-time MVP said of Murray when compared to his downtrodden demeanor last season, when helping the team amid his ACL recovery wasn’t an option.
The contrast was stark. On Monday’s Media Day, Murray smiled easily and cracked jokes. He talked about bonding with new teammates and picking up where he left off with Jokic. And the first assist of the season? Jokic to Murray, when the league’s reigning MVP hopped off the podium, bypassing chips and donuts, en route to the fruit plate. When he returned, he dropped a handful of grapes off for his favorite pick-and-roll partner.
“Night and day,” Murray said, comparing how he felt last April when he flirted with, but ultimately decided against, a comeback attempt. The Nuggets’ roving point guard said he felt stronger and more confident bouncing off his surgically repaired left knee. The only hurdle left depended on what kind of soreness he was battling, he said.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone got that sense, too. In workouts this summer, either practicing with the team in Las Vegas or slowly building his confidence at the practice court in Ball Arena, Malone said he noticed a familiar flame start to flash from Murray.
“He’s got that confidence back,” Malone said. “He’s got that swagger back.”
The full climb is still steep. Malone reiterated that Murray’s last basketball game was nearly 18 months ago. But the old signs — Malone mentioned Murray chirping during pick-up games — have started to flicker.
“He looks really good,” Malone said. “The thing I look for, obviously, is how confident is he? He’s out there playing. I don’t see him thinking about anything. He’s just playing the game.”
Jokic knows his burden is about to get lighter and the significance of what Murray’s presence means for the Nuggets’ ceiling. That’s to say nothing of Michael Porter Jr., who himself professed no limitations. But until someone takes his spot, Murray is Joker’s preferred dance partner.
It wasn’t long ago that Murray was at home in Kitchener, Ontario, unable to complete routine tasks. He longed for the ability to work out with his younger brother, or to demonstrate a move that the younger Murray might replicate. Even traversing stairs was a chore for the hobbled star.
That begins to explain his positive headspace and ubiquitous smile as the team gets set for training camp in San Diego this week.
“At the moment, I just want to play, to be honest with you,” Murray said. “I don’t care if I go 0-for-10.”
The time away from the court honed his perspective and made him appreciate where he’s at now, which is on the precipice of a return that’s encompassed two agonizing playoff runs.
“You don’t want to take the game for granted,” he said.
Murray said the biggest difference upon his return will be his pace, both on the court and in his mind. He described a more “under control” tempo that will dictate his movements. But beneath his smile and satisfaction that his return is close was still a sneering competitor eager to seize an actual NBA game by the throat again.
“He’s a dog,” Jokic said. “He’s the competitive guy who always wants to be there.”
There will be peaks and valleys, and it might even be a slow crawl at first. There’s no guarantee he’ll play in back-to-backs or that his hesitation will be completely gone. But Murray’s comeback is edging close to a return. The joy is already back.
