The beep test requires a bleep button. And it provides insight into why Jamal Murray can ascend in his ninth season, even as history suggests it is unlikely.
Ten years into the job, coach Michael Malone knows Murray better than anyone. He loves Jamal the way Sean Payton adores the Greenbrier Resort. He provided a window into his confidence in the point guard when asked about his readiness for the season despite dealing with a sore knee.
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets dishes to Nikola Jokic (15) as Monte Morris (23) of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
For years players were required to take a conditioning exam — the beep test. They had to run to cones beyond half-court before the beep. The beeps would get quicker, increasing the difficulty. Bigs needed to score 14, wings 16 and guards 18.
“Some guys would get their required number and call it good. Not Jamal. He would win it every year. And the funny thing about it was I don’t know if Jamal was ever the best-conditioned player when he won it,” Malone said recently after practice. “But Jamal’s mental ability to endure the pain is second to none. Other guys would get to a certain beep and say ‘(Expletive) this, I am done.’ Jamal is pretty special in that regard.”
But the question lingers as the Nuggets attempt to recalibrate and make another run at an NBA championship: Will Murray meet the requirements of a franchise player? Will he be an engaged leader? Will he make the players around him better? Simply put, will he undergo the requisite maintenance to stay healthy or remain content on his current trajectory after getting paid?
Nikola Jokic guarantees the Nuggets are probably no worse than a fifth seed in the Western Conference. How Murray plays, grows and continues to develop will determine whether the Nuggets contend for a championship.
He turns 28 in February, and last season he showed signs of the tread thinning on the tire, a trend that continued throughout a disappointing Olympic run that saw him coming off the bench for a Canadian team that failed to medal.
No one questions Murray’s mental toughness forged by workouts with his father and illuminated by his MMA training that he admitted “is a lot of fun. I might have a career there after this.” It was an answer that was as insightful as it was concerning. He must fight a wandering mind.
The Nuggets — you know, his employers — need him to counterpunch this season. After pausing for weeks, Denver and Murray agreed to a four-year, $208.5 million contract extension last month, keeping him under contract until 2029.
The window remains open to win another title, but it will require more of Murray. Those pedestrian regular seasons followed by redline playoff runs won’t work anymore. The Nuggets roster is no longer equipped to pick up the slack when Murray is hurt or scoring 16 points.
Bruce Brown is long gone. And this offseason Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joined him. Russell Westbrook arrived and will provide energy, passion and attitude. But he can’t shoot from distance.
The Nuggets believe in Christian Braun, Julian Strawther and maybe even Zeke Nnaji. But the season will only point in the right direction if the Blue Arrow is their top marksman. He shot a career-best 42.5% from 3 last season. Can he get to 45% and 54% from 2 in 70 games?
Murray declined to reveal any individual goals during media day, but he knows what is at stake. The Nuggets need him to model excellence to maximize Jokic in his prime.
“It’s a new opportunity this season for everybody. We don’t take that for granted. There is an opportunity to win right now,” said Murray, who averaged a career-high 21.2 points and 6.5 assists in 59 games last season. “We know what it takes to win a championship and how hard it was trying to go back to back. We have better experience and better knowledge.”
But will they have a better Murray? It is fair to wonder if he has hit his ceiling. Will he have the motivation at this point in his career to prove critics wrong? There is a belief that Westbrook, whose love for the game is contagious, will push Murray. But shouldn’t it be the other way around?
Russell Westbrook, left, and Jamal Murray pose together during a photo session during Nuggets Media Day at Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Murray is a meme, the Nuggets’ Grumpy Cat. He was asked about his extension, which is the equivalent of hitting the Powerball, and provided a 10-word answer. He glared exclusively at The Post in July when I asked him about the contract talks after an exhibition game for Team Canada.
Part of the charm is Moody Murray. He acts with immaturity — he threw a heat pack on the floor during the playoffs — then he responds with a Prestone-in-the-veins game. The difference now is that the Nuggets require him to shorten the gap between off-nights.
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It showed up in the playoffs. We all remember when “Jamal Murray made a shot” to vanquish the Lakers in Game 2 of the playoffs. But do you recall that he shot a career-low 31.5% from beyond the arc and averaged 20.6 points, six points below the previous two postseasons?
It is simple. The Nuggets are trying to navigate the luxury tax and get back to the top. It requires Malone to trust and evolve with young players.
But the Nuggets cannot return to glory without the best of Murray. They need him to be an efficient passer, a great shooter, their Road Runner.
Beep, beep.
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