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Keegan Murray’s shot creating ability is improving

Following the encouragement of Mike Brown, Keegan Murray is starting to look for his own shot more. Let's take a look at some examples.
By | 60 Comments | Mar 1, 2023

Feb 26, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) goes up for a basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown recently shared some advice he gave to rookie Keegan Murray. It was both hilarious, because of his impression of Murray, and insightful because it illustrates how the rookie is improving and communicating with his coach.

Brown encouraged Murray to dribble the ball more and look for his own shot.

“I said, ‘dribble the ball and if you can go coast to coast and dunk on somebody, do it, or go make a play,'” Brown recalled of his conversation with Murray. “You can do it, go do it.”

Since the All-Star break, we have started to see more of this out of Murray and it is a good sight to see. If he can create more of his own offense, it puts more pressure on the opponents’ defense against this already elite offense, and it takes a little pressure off Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox.

In the four games back, Murray is averaging 14.5 points per game. Let’s take a look at some of Murray’s plays we have seen since the break.

Because of his three-point shooting (41%), defenders have to guard tight beyond the arc. Here, Murray uses that to his advantage and blows by the defender. He is then able to get up a nice shot in the paint that is well defended.

Baseline drive finished with an athletic hook shot with some hang time. This is quite an impressive play, and not something we have seen a lot of from Murray this season.

Another nice dribble drive, even though he misses the shot.

Dribble drive and he dishes out for an open three. Nice vision.

Pump fake into a dribble drive and a soft floater. Again, the defender has to close out hard on him because he is such a threat from three.

Pick and roll with a strong finish at the basket through contact.

This time he gets a nice steal leading to an easy dunk on a fast break.

And then there is this. Brown told him to take it coast to coast and dunk. Well, here it is. If there is more of this, he is a big problem from opponents.

And we can’t leave without a few examples of his bread and butter – the three-point shot:

In Summer League and early this season we saw how effective the rookie is and what a high basketball IQ he has. Most of his points, however, were all coming off threes. There wasn’t much to suggest he had a lot in the way of creating his own shot at this level yet. Clearly, with a little push from Mike Brown, Murray is showing he his capable of this and more. Yet another example of why Brown should be Coach Of The Year, and another positive for the future to notch in the belt of what has already been a magical season of Sacramento Kings basketball.

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Kosta
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March 1, 2023 4:20 pm

It’s really great to see Keegan start showing more offense now, in addition to the (great) three-point shooting he already displayed.

Earlier I was thinking maybe he tops out as a very good role-player on a good team, spot-shooting threes, but if he can expand his game he can be so much more.

I agree with coach Brown, though: work on your handles in the offseason, Keegan. It will just give you more options if you can improve in that area.

Also great to see his commitment to rebounding now, and reliable defense.

Last edited 1 year ago by Kosta
Klam
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March 1, 2023 8:21 pm
Reply to  Kosta

I want to see more spirited, expressive Keegan in the future!

Hippity_Hop_Barbershop
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March 1, 2023 8:24 pm
Reply to  Klam

Settle down now.

coolhandluke
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March 2, 2023 7:09 am
Reply to  Klam

Let’s not get too greedy.

sonny
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March 2, 2023 4:07 pm
Reply to  coolhandluke

Klam said ‘in the future’!

Jack
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March 2, 2023 7:20 am
Reply to  Klam

Just let him be himself and do his thing. Don’t change horses in the middle of the stream.

ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 5:21 pm
Reply to  Klam

Vulcan’s don’t do that.

They are more noted for their attempt to live by logic and reason with as little interference from emotion as possible.

Ellis5
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March 2, 2023 7:55 pm
Reply to  Klam

comment image

jwalker1395
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March 2, 2023 7:52 am
Reply to  Kosta

This is why I was so high on him in the draft. He looked like a high-level role player IMMEDIATELY. When you get a kid that can already perform at a high-level right away, would it not follow that kid could also be expected to become an even greater player by the time they hit their prime? Haliburton was a similar case.

Every year we salivate over these 18-19 year olds with 44 inch verticals. But how many of those guys can ACTUALLY PLAY? Very few kids that age have both elite athleticism and skill, and those guys are always top picks (Paolo, Zion, AD, etc.). So once you’re picking amongst the guys who are lacking one dimension or another – maybe they’re a bit older, less athletic, or lacking a key swing skill – my philosophy is to always take the guy that you KNOW can play.

Murray is a fairly athletic, 6’8″ wing/forward that is one of the most efficient scorers the college game had seen in a while. But because he was 22 at the time, we all acted like he had no further upside. Absolutely ludicrous.

If it walks, talks, and acts like an NBA bucket getter, it just may be…

ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 5:24 pm
Reply to  jwalker1395

For the record I was never part of the “we all”.

Want2win
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March 1, 2023 5:03 pm

I think Keegan would be definitely number two on the Kia rookie rankings If he played for a worse team, he is number four or five option on this team. He plays excellent all-around basketball for a rookie. I think part of his reluctance was that he was deferring to the other All-Stars. He has a ton of talent and skill.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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March 2, 2023 8:28 am
Reply to  Want2win

To your point, Paolo’s usage is at 27.5%, which is the most by a rookie since Kyrie Irving in 2011-12 (I don’t count Zion’s who was at 30% because he only played in 24 games). Of the other ROY type players, Smith Jr. is at 18% usage, Ivey is at 24.4%, Mathurian 25%, Jalen Williams 17.8%, and at Kessler 12.4% (but I’d argue he is more of a defensive player). Keegan Murray is at just 15.8%. With his shooting and improving attacking ability, he could easily be the 2nd best player in this draft class behind Paolo in a year or two if he becomes the 3rd best option behind Sabonis and Fox. Good times ahead.

Kingsguru21
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March 2, 2023 9:44 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m not used to optimist Adam. Who are you and where have Adam’s alien captors taken him?

Nevermind. Don’t answer that. I like Alien Optimist Adam more than Grumpy Kangz gon Kangz Adam…

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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March 2, 2023 9:56 am
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Says the guy known for having a stab list.

MichaelMack
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March 2, 2023 10:46 am
Reply to  Adamsite

This is a fair point.

Kingsguru21
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March 2, 2023 2:10 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Says the guy known for having a stab list of SF Giants fans.

FTFY.

Hozr
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March 3, 2023 11:23 am
Reply to  Adamsite

That was some guy named pookie.

ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 5:40 pm
Reply to  Kingsguru21

Not everyone on the Enterprise with Spock is an “alien”. Some of the crew are human. They transported him there, ran some tests and made some adjustments.

ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 5:34 pm
Reply to  Want2win

If the people who vote for rookie of the year cared to actually pay attention and not just vote off highlight real dunks and whatever ESPN is pushing then yeah, Spock could and maybe should be rookie of the year. I can’t speak on Paulo’s defensive chops so far this season but I do know that Spock is playing defense very well for a rookie. Very well. Then you look at his offensive production and you find yourself analyzing a very well rounded player just 60 games into his career. All while being a starter on a 3rd place team with one of the highest rated offenses in nba history.

Im pretty sure that all of that means he’s good.

Last edited 1 year ago by ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 6:01 pm
Reply to  ArcoThunder

What a difference it makes to have a rook who is gracefully learning the ropes rather than thrust into the spotlight as the franchise savior. (Credit to GM McNair to understand how to raise the rookie – and choosing the one who fits that schedule.)

To his credit – Banchero is special and very good in that “star” role for Orlando. To me, he’s a more complete and bigger Carmelo Anthony. It’s more than his numbers, he’s the ROY, hands down.

Mathurin is also a dynamic player. He is the most dramatically cocky rook we’ve seen in a while. And he mostly backs it up though not to the degree his mouth says (the Lebron thing was just too much). To me, he is Devin Booker v.2.0

I haven’t followed Jaden Ivey enough to comp him.

Walker Kessler has got to be the biggest surprise in this rookie class. Marcus Camby? Robert Parish?

Jalen Williams has been impressive these last two Kings games, and then there’s Mark Williams, Jalen Duren of the bigs, and Shaedon Sharpe (Gerald Wallace, maybe?), Sochan – utility forward – maybe he can be a Siakam? Tari Eason – Maurice Lucas?

Way too early to call them and name them. But it’s a fun exercise. There’s some nice talent in the 2022 draft.

For me, and Keegan: I like the Khris Middleton/Tobias Harris comps.

murraytant
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March 3, 2023 10:34 am

good rookie class. Smith will get better. Chet still sits.
surprises are Kessler – Wolves trade was dumb- Kessler as good as Gobert) and Williams. He really gets to the hoop well.

Want2win
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March 3, 2023 9:49 am
Reply to  ArcoThunder

He is doing great, I think this past draft will have a lot of good to excellent NBA players . Paolo will probably be an all star someday. We don’t know about Holmgren I think Smith has an excellent game, Mathurian is a bucket getter and will get better defensively! Keegan will be a borderline all star some day and may get 1 or 2 nods some day. Still not sold on Ivey…

Kessler will be a solid starter for years

I think Duren will be a solid role player

I could see jalen Williams having a nice long career as a solid starter 6 man

AJ griffin may not be doing great but I think he will be much better once Snyder gets him .. I think he would be great on the kings..

Ruben
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March 1, 2023 5:04 pm

I admit I was a little sceptical 2 6 weeks ago. I thought his game was too one dimensional and underwhelming in terms of rebounding and creating. Now here we are and appearantly I have no idea what I`m talking about.

andy_sims
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March 2, 2023 9:33 am
Reply to  Ruben

Welcome to my world, Ruben.

murraytant
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March 3, 2023 10:36 am
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I watched his college tape and saw that he could do stuff he just was not doing. This is a guy, I think, who needs a strong coach with a clear directive.

Hozr
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March 3, 2023 11:36 am
Reply to  murraytant

I see a guy who is playing within his role as he understands it and only extends beyond those limits when his coach tells him to. That’s a whole lot better than a guy who’s going rogue and doing his own thing because he thinks he’s better than he is. He may be taking that to a bit of an extreme but he is a coach’s son after all and he’s probably had that drilled into him from an early age.

eddie41
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March 1, 2023 5:53 pm

good stuff

macdoogs
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March 1, 2023 7:14 pm

I watched a ton of his tape and highlights and always came away impressed on him getting to the bucket in college. I was a little thrown off early in the season with the 2 dribble pass with him, but good to know he just needed to be told/coached into playing more aggressively. He’s a huge part of this culture change this season. I say do whatever it takes to draft his brother who has basically the same game.

1st unit Murray + 2nd unit Murray = success

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March 1, 2023 11:32 pm
Reply to  macdoogs

I think drafting Kris and then pairing Jamal amd Dejonte and for fun add Dame Lillard (he played at Murray State) for the All-Murray Team!

jwalker1395
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March 2, 2023 7:43 am

Dame played for Weber State. Ja played for Murray State.

macdoogs
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March 2, 2023 1:54 pm
Reply to  jwalker1395

Fox>Ja

andy_sims
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March 2, 2023 3:13 pm
Reply to  macdoogs

Had to punch a thumbs up for that one.

macdoogs
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March 2, 2023 1:55 pm

Adding Dejonte would be a dream lol love him as a player

DutchKingsFanInUK
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March 1, 2023 11:46 pm

I said this last week and I’ll say it again: I’m so impressed with Murray. I don’t recall seeing a Kings rookie improve so much from a game to game basis. It’s not night and day since the beginning of the season, but it’s close.

HumboldtCPA
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March 2, 2023 7:40 am

It’s amazing what can happen when you have a good coach!

Klam
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March 2, 2023 7:51 am
Reply to  HumboldtCPA

comment image

ArcoThunder
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March 2, 2023 5:44 pm
Reply to  Klam

I could have done without seeing that face for a few more months. Just saying.

aplumley
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March 2, 2023 5:17 am

I see some Brandon Roy in his game. With better knees I hope.

coolhandluke
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March 2, 2023 7:21 am
Reply to  aplumley

Brandon Roy was a legit superstar. If Keegan improves his ball handling to Brandon’s level, watch out.

Adamsite
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March 2, 2023 8:31 am
Reply to  aplumley

I thought Rashard Lewis from the beginning, and I’m still sticking with that comp.

TheBaker
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March 2, 2023 9:37 am
Reply to  Adamsite

Hmmm.. maybe the sleepy demeanor, but I think of Tayshaun Prince.

RikSmits
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March 2, 2023 10:59 am
Reply to  Adamsite

I’m more leaning towards Dale Ellis.

Adamsite
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March 2, 2023 11:04 am
Reply to  RikSmits

Oh…that’s a good one. There is a guy who would have absolutely thrived in today’s NBA.

aplumley
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March 2, 2023 12:52 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

I like that we went down memory lane with this one. Keegan has some old school in his new school game for sure. I used Roy as a comp since he was a three level scorer. When I see Keegan going to the hoop and squint real hard, I see that kind of potential. Bigger body, maybe a better shooter, but not quite as athletic/dynamic. All in all, a lot of upside that he seems to be growing into.

andy_sims
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March 2, 2023 9:32 am

In more than one place online, I have seen some variation of these words from fans of other teams:

“Keegan Murray is a problem.”

Damn straight.

Adamsite
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March 2, 2023 10:10 am
Reply to  andy_sims

That’s awesome.

I think the best thing is the Kings starting 5 is a problem for defenses. You can’t sleep/sag off on any of them. There is no weak link on offense. No Josh Okogie, no Steven Adams, no Dwight Powell, no Herb Jones, etc. Any one of the starting 5 for the Kings can drop 30+ points on you. Not too many teams can say that.

andy_sims
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March 2, 2023 12:17 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

Opponents needing to throw double teams at Fox and/or Sabonis means that someone is open. And that’s how they died.

Roaddog
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March 2, 2023 10:14 am

You guys have all the praise covered. Not a fan of the rookie telling coach he doesn’t need to work on exactly the thing coach asks him to work on.

CorlissWinlesson
March 2, 2023 11:48 am

Agreed! He’s more creative and more than anything I’ve noticed his confidence grow as he’s gotten more experience in the league and in some of these big games. With the confidence comes more playmaking and variety of shots in my opinion. Excited to see how he treats this offseason and what he can do with his body given the professional offseason programs at his disposal.

Totally biased but thinking back to how clutch he was during the “big” games in summer league, I like to think Spock will come up clutch for us during the later games this season as well as PLAYOFFS

PlayoffModeT
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March 2, 2023 12:35 pm

My initial hopeful comps were Khris Middleton and Tobias Harris (playstyle not necessarily statistically), but if he continues working on dribbling and scoring off the dribble, I could see Paul Pierce as another comp. If he reaches a Paul Pierce level, we are in for a helluva ride.

andy_sims
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March 2, 2023 1:22 pm
Reply to  PlayoffModeT

Just so long as Keegan doesn’t go into broadcasting after his career.

PlayoffModeT
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March 2, 2023 2:02 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

lmao indeed

UpgradedToQuestionable
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March 2, 2023 5:34 pm
Reply to  PlayoffModeT

truthfully

murraytant
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March 3, 2023 10:37 am
Reply to  andy_sims

Better than Boban.

PhilippinesForSacKings
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March 2, 2023 4:30 pm
Reply to  Klam

Finally got his well-deserved rec. Now get him his COTY hardware! Let’s go Kings #LTB

RobHessing
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March 2, 2023 3:47 pm

There are 20(!) NBA players this year that are making 2 or more 3s a game while shooting 40% or better. That is kookie-dukes. The only rookie in that group? Kris’ twin brother.

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March 2, 2023 6:10 pm
Reply to  RobHessing

Through 20 games this season:
Kris – 20.5 ppg 8.0 rpg, 35.2 3FG% eFG% 56.6 PER 27.7
For 2021-22, Keegan, 35 games
23.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 39.8% 3FG%, eFG% 61.4 PER 37.8

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OLDBHOY
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March 3, 2023 7:56 am

If you consider efficiency and unselfishness positives then you have to up Murray’s stock. Just because he has not shown a skill doesn’t mean he can’t do it. I see his deference to veterans as a plus not a minus.

I find his calm demeanor refreshing in a time where everyone needs to talk trash and act cocky. I will take quiet confidence and lots of wins over flashy any day. It worked for Tim Duncan.

Hozr
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March 3, 2023 11:49 am
Reply to  OLDBHOY

I have always wondered what it does to a trash talker’s psyche when the only reaction they to their trash talking is a blank look. It’s gotta be discouraging especially to guys who use trash talking to hype themselves up.

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