After almost two full years of patience, the New Orleans Pelicans are finally getting an extended look at the version of Dejounte Murray they thought former EVP David Griffin was getting. If the past several weeks are any indication, the foundation of the franchise’s future is being built on the shoulders of the 29-year-old. Joe Dumars can’t deny how much James Borrego’s groundwork is starting to take shape on what has looked like a completely different team over the last 10 games.
The interim head coach has been generous with the praise lately, and made sure to give Murray plenty of credit. With the atmosphere they have established on both ends, the Pelicans are beginning to establish the habits needed to consistently compete in the Western Conference. For a franchise that has long sought stability, the emergence of a clear identity led by a fiery, disruptive All-Star offers a glimpse of what the future could look like.
New Orleans hasn’t seen anything like this since Jrue Holiday headed to the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray’s game-changing attitude was arguably never more evident than in Brandon Ingram’s recent win over the beleaguered Toronto Raptors.
“Dejounte (against the Raptors) was phenomenal,” Borrego admitted. “Probably the best game I’ve seen him play, certainly these last two years (with the Pelicans). Just his fire, competitiveness, obviously making shots, defense, communication, leadership out there, he instills so much confidence and fight in this group, and everybody is rallying around it.”
Everyone can talk about abstract things in probability. However, there’s only one way to measure those enduring qualities over time, and Borrego believes Dejounte Murray’s upside has been contagious.
“I think it’s really the same blueprint that we saw. Physical, offensively, defensively, disruptive, a big physical team. That’s what we’re looking to build,” Borrego explained. “That’s the goal, to keep that identity for the rest of the season. We’ve built habits to get to this point. Now it’s about not giving up and carrying it forward, like letting it become the standard.”
“Obviously, it starts with Dejounte at the point of attack,” the coach said, “and everyone else getting in line.”
Taking more than a year to recover from a torn right Achilles tendon, which came on the heels of a fractured hand, was difficult. Murray (17.6 points, 5.4 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 26.4 minutes per game) is trying to make up for lost time by building some momentum, scoring in double figures and recording at least one steal in each of his first five appearances. The story goes beyond the statistics, which is why Borrego has praised Murray’s leadership for weeks.
Dejounte Murray Motors Pelican
After the Pelicans returned home from a six-game road trip and defeated the Washington Wizards 138–118 on March 8, Borrego specifically credited Murray for leading the team to victory. The tone set defensively has created a ripple effect throughout the roster, setting a standard that was previously elusive.
Borrego admitted, “These are always tough games when we come home after a road trip. And they can be trap games sometimes. So, I’m proud of our guys. They responded with the right mentality. I give Dejounte Murray a lot of credit.” “He had fire, juice. He was going to get us a win (over the Washington Wizards) anyway. His great reaction, his leadership.”
The standard, as Borrego describes it, is rooted in toughness and defensive disruption. It’s a style that fits Murray’s game perfectly. He led the NBA in assists with San Antonio during the 2021–22 season. Murray has always been at his best whenever allowed to impose himself physically in a game. In New Orleans, that role has come into focus.
It remains to be seen if the Pelicans can turn these final weeks into a foundation for next season. But for a franchise that has faced hardships, seeing Murray playing with such purpose is, at least, a reason to believe that the future looks bright given the record.
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