Tim Duncan has completed four triple-doubles in 1,392 career games; Tony Parker has a total of 1 triple-double in 1,254 career games; manu Ginobili has played 1,057 career games without a single triple-double. The record of the GDP combination naturally need not be said, looking at the entire history of the NBA, such a combination can also be ranked. It's not that they don't have the ability to get a triple-double, but just playing under Greg Popovich, let alone triple-doubles, or high scores are extremely rare.
But in the first 30 games of the season, Dejuntai Murray has completed six triple-doubles. Well, it's a time of data explosions. Even so, Murray is tied with Nicola Jokic as the league's triple-double, and the former triple-double russell Westbrook has only had five triple-doubles this season. Triple-doubles mean statistical coverage, and today's Murray does have a bit of a big package taste at the Spurs, averaging 18.1 points per game in the first place of the team, averaging 8.4 rebounds per game ranking second on the team, and averaging 8.6 assists per game ranking third in the team. What the? Popovich also allowed his players to be so good? Or did Murray have some magic power to completely conquer Popovich?
As the player with the twenty-ninth pick in the first round of 2016, Murray's talent didn't look that great in the draft. But Murray showed defensive prowess in his second season, and being named the league's best second defense in the 17-18 season is the best embodiment. Keep in mind that Murray spent nearly half of that season on the bench, averaging only 8.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Selected for the second season of his career, the Spurs naturally will not let go of such a good seedling, even if Murray was reimbursed for injury in the 18-19 season, the Spurs still sent him a four-year, $64 million early renewal contract.
In the 19-20 and 20-21 seasons, the Spurs have not yet fully rebuilt, after all, there is de Mar deRozan, so Murray has not yet been fully released. This season, Murray has completely become the core of the Spurs' backcourt, and he has raised his personal data to 18.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 2 steals, shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range. When we are accustomed to the performance of Westbrook 30+10+10, Murray's data actually looks average, but only two players in NBA history have achieved 15+8+8+2 (scoring + rebounding + assist + steals) in a single season, respectively, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, and Murray has the hope of becoming third.
Now the Spurs have a lot of backcourt players, Murray has completely become the leader, he averaged 15.5 times per game, is the Spurs the highest team, ranked tenth in the league, and now the Spurs' sudden scoring system is very good, or thanks to Murray's ability to hold the ball. In addition to the breakthrough, Murray's emergency jump shot this season has also improved significantly, shooting 74 of 179 emergency jump shots in the first 30 games, and the shooting rate has reached 41.3%.
Of course, the combination of emergency stop jump shots and mid-range is the big kill, Murray this season from 153 shots 61, shooting 39.9% of the time, the efficiency is not too high, but there is still room for improvement, and this is where Murray needs to focus on improving. If the offensive end can be more stable, Murray's average of 20+ points per game is not too difficult. In addition to charging on the offensive end, Murray's defense has always been online, and Murray has performed quite well when defending players such as Westbrook, Daron Fox, Luka Doncic, Steven Curry and other players.
Spurs' record this season is still not ideal, but the Spurs have gradually completed the rebuilding, they can beat the Jazz and other strong teams is no accident, Murray has become the leader of the Spurs, his multiple statistics in the forefront of the team is also a manifestation of strength. Popovich is not a coach who values data, and now that Murray's stats are good, Popovich doesn't seem to be unhappy, and maybe he needs a player who can solve many problems, and Murray is the final answer.
Text/Duncan's laugh