The 2016 NBA Draft is two weeks away and prospects are already posturing to get themselves picked first.
Jamal Murray is only 6'5 but he is not short on confidence and competitiveness. This is the reason why the Boston Celtics might actually choose to keep their no.3 overall pick and take him.
The Kentucky standout has his coach's endorsement. "Five-star whisperer" John Calipari has told ESPNU's College Basketball forecast that his ward Murray should be taken by the Philadelphia 76ers at no.1 because he is the "safe" pick.
"If you're going to take the No. 1 pick, you probably should do it from our program,'' Calipari said.
When he was pushed for a reason, Calipari, elaborated. "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.''
Cal does acknowledge that projected top picks Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram are also prime talents, but Murray should be among them: "But it should be Jamal or one of those two guys.''
It seems surprising that Calipari would suggest the Sixers to draft based on need, since the Kentucky coach is known to recruit the top talents regardless of position which has often resulted in duplication in the Wildcats' roster and some players not getting enough exposure. Also, just to have an idea of the talent that Cal has, he wa endorsing Skal Labissiere, his other prime recruit this year, as Ben Simmons' rival for no.1 overall honors.
Murray seems fine without his coach's endorsement as he has worked out with the Boston Celtics and reportedly made quite an impression when he set the record for their pre-draft three-point workouts hitting 79 out of 100. ESPN had the details.
"(Murray) calmly drained eight of his final 10 3-point attempts, finishing with 79 makes out of 100 and besting the Brad Stevens-era pre-draft record of 77, set earlier this spring by Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer."
The Boston Celtics may choose to keep the draft as their offseason could head to a different directions since their free agency chances may have improved. Murray seems like a real Cal protégé when he made this bold declaration in response to the question of whether he was the best player in the draft.
"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."