The NBA announced today that Keegan Murray is the Western Conference Rookie of the Month. It’s Keegan’s first time winning the honor, with the November award (which also covers October) going to Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams.
From the Sacramento Kings:
The fourth overall selection in the 2022 NBA Draft, Murray averaged 12.7 points (46.0 FG%, 46.4 3pt%), 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 28.6 minutes per game in 14 games (14 starts) during the month of December.
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Among all rookies this season, Murray currently ranks fifth in scoring (11.5) and total points (137) and first in 3-point field goals made (73) and 3-point shooting percentage (38.2%).
After a hot start in October, Keegan’s scoring has slowed down, although he had three games in December where he scored over 20 points, and just four games where he didn’t tally double figures.
More important than points per game or monthly awards, Keegan Murray has just been playing good basketball for the Kings. He makes little plays, makes smart passes, and plays in a way that helps the Kings in his minutes. The Kings aren’t built to highlight Keegan Murray, and asking a rookie to do all the little things correctly can sometimes be a tall ask, and yet Murray is doing it and doing it well.
The most important thing is that Keegan is contributing to a winning team and seems likely to continue helping the Kings win games for years to come, but that doesn’t take anything away from this great moment of recognition.
Congratulations Keegan!
K-E-E-G-A-N!
M-U-R-R-A-Y!!
Keegan in the locker room learning he won:
This made my day. Well done, sir.
Excellent.
I think this is the first of many Rookie of the Month awards he is going to win over a hopefully long career
I’m sure he’ll win many Rookie of the Month awards in the years to come!
Are you serious? Lol
Rookie for life!
He has superstar written all over him
As Greg alludes to: it looks like the game is slowing down for him, and it’s starting to show. Really excited about his future. Congrats Keegan!
I keep wishing he was more. I had high expectations- like 15 ppg.
On the other hand, his defense is better than expected, he does block a few shots, seems to make the right play more often than not, his passing has improved.
He has such a wider offensive repertoire than he shows though.
I would love to see a breakout second half.
Kings need consistent third guy- now rotating.
A big issue- and this peripherally involves KM- little adjustments at trade deadline or swing for the fences?
Mitchell worked well for Cavs. Gobert not so well for Wolves.
KM might be part of a trade to improve. And for a home run, the draft pick for Huerter might have to be “clarified”- that is, the ambiguous nature of that draft pick solidified.
Markenon ? OG Anouby? But price probably too high for each.
Backup center?
or sit tight?
this 5 or 6 spot is rare air for the Kings and a few teams are getting hot below them. Might be better to hold tight, move on off season.
The mid-season market is often a huge seller advantage, relying on desparation. .
I’d love Lauri, but after what Ainge got for Rudy he’s going to want a ton, so not worth it. Lauri is on such a nice team friendly contract as well. Wish MM would have traded for him last year with the Cavs, would be a fun fit with Domas.
Ainge is not trading Lauri . Young 7 foot Star and getting better .
I found Larry King’s burner account.
Roster must absolutely never change. Team must win playoff games.
Congrats KM ????
In other news, Bagley has a right hand injury and is expected to miss extended time. Can’t make this stuff up.
Imagine taking such joy in the injury and misfortune of others.
I mean, I’m a piece of shit, but even I wouldn’t carry that kind of grudge/butthurt.
Who said I take joy in the injury and misfortune of Bagley ?
I’m glad you identified what you are in your comment.
My bad, everyone was talking about Detroit Piston Marvin Bagley in this thread about Keegan Murray.
You just have a little hate-crush, that’s all.
You always find a way to dramatize simple things.
I didn’t see a problem with the bags comment. So what.
I can still dislike Vlade and other inept GMs, still throw the occasional barb about how stupid it was to take Bags.
Who cares. I’m still enjoying the Kings as constituted.
Bagley is not a King so let it lie. Let’s start supporting the Kings. I wish him well but we need to get to the playoffs. I agree Markannen would help the Kings. His best year ever. He is driving to the basket more than ever instead of shooting only threes. If he was a better rim protector I’d ho after him.
Jack ! we agree.
Markenon made a huge leap this year and it does not seem like a one-year wonder. He moves well, scores at 3 levels, is fearless. Not a great rebounder but good and does not protect paint that well.
What is the cost? That Ainge fella drives a tough bargain.
I’m all in on Lauri…but it won’t happen, Ainge is going to want multiple firsts.
At least Barnes, Mitchell and a first and second. He would take Barnes place but who is going to replace Mitchell. I personally would with those assets go after somebody like O G Anunoby.
PS If it takes two firsts and two secods to get Anunoby I would add Christian Koloko in the deal. That’s your backup to Sabonis.
Ainge will not trade his top young star – unless it’s for Fox, Sabonis and picks .
It looks like Bagley was actually starting to figure some things out as well. Second long term absence this year. Hopefully he can string together one year before he is out of the league.
If he can get eleven more, Rookie of the Year is in the bag.
Next up: DPOG Chain
OT: The guy is an absolute beast when he is healthy, but with his kind of explosiveness and size I have to wonder how long his body can take it. Thus far, the young man has played just 114 (43%) of a possible 263 games . For reference, Marvin Bagley has the reputation of being like glass, but he has played in a possible 54% of his games.
Hopefully he goes the Embiid route and not Oden’s route.
As Jerry Reynolds might say, he’s a basketball player.
Funny thing is, Murray probably puts up better raw numbers on a worse team, but he’s probably playing better basketball here.
I need him to get 4-5 rebounds a game, I just do.
Yes. Definitely Ned more boards and eventually to be the consistent scoring threat I hope he can be.
Hang it next to the summer league championship trophy. Doesn’t mean shit.
It means he is one of the best rookies . Seems fine to me .
Cool. Go win playoff games.
Badge Legend