Feb 12, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) dribbles the ball up court in the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Sometimes, you don’t fully appreciate what you’re watching at Ball Arena until you’re in the middle of a big moment.

When the Denver Nuggets decided this summer to give Jamal Murray a four-year, $208 million contract extension — the most money they could have paid him, over the maximum number of years, coming off the rockiest stretch of his eight-year career — plenty of people wondered why.