In last night’s 115-107 Denver Nuggets win over the Boston Celtics, Jamal Murray was feelin’ himself on the court. With 48 points and time expiring, the Nuggets point guard decided to shoot a three to see if he could surpass the 50 point threshold. Unfortunately, he missed. Fellow point guard Kyrie Irving wasn’t pleased.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHi6tckUdWo
Irving had words with Murray before chucking a basketball into the stands.
Post-game, Irving didn’t hold back. [H/T Complex]
“Congratulations to him, having 48 points,” he said of Murray. “He did it in great fashion against us…he made us pay in certain instances of just making some tough shots and some tough layups.”
“the ball deserves to go into the crowd after a bullshit move like that.”
Murray admitted post-game he “probably shouldn’t have done that” but going for 50 points was too enticing.
There’s no written rule stating a player can’t shoot the ball with the lead and the game clock expiring – at home, no less. Getting 50 points would have been quite the achievement and an accomplishment Murray might not ever get a chance at doing again. There’s literally no harm in him doing that.
If Irving didn’t want Murray shooting with the lead, the Celtics should have played better. It’s that simple. Lock him down during the final seconds. Don’t play zero defense and complain when someone takes a shot. Losing and whining accomplishes nothing in this league. There’s no reason Irving should call BS.
[Complex]
