Dejounte Murray is reminding Pelicans fans of a connection that could facilitate his return

The long-awaited return of New Orleans Pelicans All-Star guard Dejounte Murray has finally arrived. He will make his season debut on Tuesday evening against the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of this match, Murray spoke to the media on Monday. He discussed many things including the importance of going out and going out compete for the fans every night, want to represent New Orleans, and that he would give it his all for the rest of the season. Murray also reminded fans of a connection he shares with interim head coach James Borrego, dating back to 2016.

During the 2016 NBA Draft, when Murray was taken 29th overall by the San Antonio Spurs, Borrego was an assistant coach under Gregg Popovich. He was an assistant from 2015 to 2018 before landing the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job during the 2018 offseason.

Although they only spent a short time together before Borrego moved on to a bigger role, the relationship is very strong. That familiarity should ease the transition, as Borrego is well aware of what it will take to really get Murray going.

Why the Borrego connection matters

For any athlete returning from a major injury, nothing makes the process easier than familiarity and comfort. Those are two things Murray has with Borrego.

Many of the plays and sets the Pelicans have run since Borrego took over come from his time with the Spurs. That high pick-and-roll is something the Pelicans have run since the coaching change, a common style of play from Popovich coaching.

Murray’s best season of his career came with the Spurs in 2021-22, when he was named an All-Star after averaging 21.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists. This was a year where the Spurs offense relied heavily on screen-and-roll plays, allowing Murray to decide where the ball went next. That attacking structure mirrors the system in which Murray previously thrived, and it is the kind of formation he will be reintegrated into under Borrego.

At Murray’s second season with SpursWhile Borrego was still on the staff, he earned All-Defensive Second Team honors. The kind of defensive intensity that Murray brought from the forward position that season is something this Pelicans team desperately needs as they have the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league. If Murray rediscovers that kind of defensive energy, it would immediately address one of the team’s biggest needs.

One of the most valuable things a point guard can bring is being an extension of the coach. New Orleans now gets that with the return of Murray. He has always been an outspoken leader on the field, but that presence becomes even more impressive thanks to the trust and bond he has with interim head coach James Borrego.