Is Dejounte Murray following Kirk Goldsberry? That was the query that got here to thoughts after watching the Hawks’ buzzy scorer and trash-talker rating 44 factors in an extra time win over the Celtics on Thursday evening. Murray’s field rating seems to have traveled via time, from about 2007: 44 factors on 18-of-44 capturing. His recreation winner additionally felt like a shot from a bygone period. With 6.2 seconds to play in OT and his staff trailing by some extent, Murray remoted towards Jrue Vacation effectively past the three-point line, dribbled to the circle and pulled up for a game-winning mid-range jumper:
There’s one thing humorous about the truth that Murray hit that shot and made that play, on the identical day that NBA graphics wizard Kirk Goldsberry put forth one in every of his signature stark visible representations of how a lot the NBA has modified within the final twenty years:
Relying on how you favor to play NBA basketball (are you an analytical man or an actual hooper?), the distinction between these charts is both stunning to behold or a testomony to the cold horror that has been inflicted on the NBA since then . Steph Curry began to face up on the brand. Did Murray, who was scrolling via his cellphone earlier than Thursday’s recreation, maybe see this schedule? Did he really feel a way of disgust? Did he resolve then that he would make a efficiency that evening that was so unconscionable, so hungry, that it might maintain again this bleak march of progress? Was Murray preventing for the Hooper’s soul when he beat the Celtics?
The proof we’ve got doesn’t present a transparent reply. Sure, scoring 44 factors on 44 photographs is one thing that may even make Allen Iverson blush, however Murray’s efficiency wasn’t fully vindictive. On the one hand, he took 19 of his photographs from mid-range (guys sporting capturing sleeves for the YMCA begin cheering). Alternatively, he shot 19 three-pointers, six of which got here from the nook (guys who take heed to 2-3 NBA podcasts per week smile smugly).
After the match, Murray could not cover the truth that his hooper’s thoughts is as torn as his field rating appeared to counsel. With a microphone in his face and the game-winner glow nonetheless radiating, he admitted, “I nonetheless really feel like I performed terribly. I do not need to take that many photographs.” This was instantly adopted by a second admission: “However I do know Kobe could be happy with me.”
Thus we encounter the Hooper dilemma, which arises from the urge to go wherever and shoot with out conscience, colliding with the exaggerated consciousness that there are good and unhealthy photographs. However there are worse methods for a participant at battle with himself to carry out. Murray turned a late-season recreation supposed to glaze over the gang’s eyes right into a manic, entertaining spectacle that ended with an iconic shot and an upset of the perfect staff within the league. We will all be happy with that, I believe.
