Jamal Murray: ‘I Think I’m The Best Player In The Draft’

The Jamal Murray hype train is picking up steam as the 2016 NBA Draft nears. Following a workout with the Boston Celtics, where Murray hit 79 out of 100 3-pointers, the Canadian sharpshooter sat down for a media session and asked if he thought he was the best player in the Draft, to which he responded “I think so.”

From Chris Forsberg and ESPN

Seated in a chair inside the Celtics’ Hall of Fame room at the team’s practice facility, Murray calmly and comfortably fielded questions. Asked if he thought he was the best player in this year’s draft, his competitive nature took over again.

 

“I think so,” Murray said. “That’s not a knock on anybody, I’m just looking back on the work I’ve put in, how far I’ve come, how quickly I learn, how quickly I adapt to my surroundings and how easy I fit into a team. I believe I’m the best player in the draft, but every team needs what they need.”

Murray’s college coach John Calipari also had high praise for the guard and said that the Sixers should take Murray No. 1 overall.

From Andy Katz and ESPN

“He can stretch the defense, play off the ball and the NBA is going positionless,” Calipari said. “He can flat-out shoot the ball and is physically ready.”

 

When asked why the Sixers should take Murray over Simmons or Ingram, Calipari said: “What does Philadelphia need more than anything else? Someone to make shots and guard play. I am biased. I want my guy. But he can play multiple positions, he can physically step in and play right away. He can play the point. He can score in bunches. You watch Golden State. Who really is their point guard? Whoever has it.”

 

Calipari continued to say that Murray is “the safest pick. Simmons is really a talent. He’s big. He has size, speed and basketball ability, and there is LeBronish in him. Brandon is long and can score the ball. He’s a very good player. But it should be Jamal or one of those two guys.”