Jamal Murray: “I believe I can score on anybody”

Jamal Murray told Boston reporters he believes he is the best player available in the NBA draft this year, according to Chris Forsberg of ESPN. 

This came after Murray had broken a pre-draft workout record with the Celtics, nailing 79 out of 100 from 3 point range during the shooting drills.

The record was previously held by another Canadian, Gonzaga’s Kyle Wiltjer, who connected on 77.

Jamal was in his zen place when working through the drill, and after a slow start where he was only shooting 70%, Murray composed himself and finished the drill strong.

“I got off to a slow start, so [I’ll] try to do that again sometime,” Murray told ESPN. “That’s just the competitive spirit I have. That’s the competitive streak in me.”

“As a child, I was competitive in whatever it was — first one to eat your wings, first one to run to the door. In everything we were competitive. I always wanted to have the edge. My dad taught me a lot of meditative techniques. I used that to my advantage.”

When asked if he thought he was the best player in this year’s draft, Murray responded with the confidence that led him to a leadership role on a Canadian Pan Am team full of grown men. 

“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.”

“I believe I can score on anybody.”