Mike Brown Impressed by Keegan Murray’s Play at Summer League

Through the six Summer League contests that Keegan Murray has played this year, he’s averaged 21.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on a 49/40/84 percent shooting clip.

Keegan Murray in Summer League (6 games):

21.8 PPG
7.2 RPG
49/40/84%

He has as many 20-point games as Paolo, Chet, Jabari, Ivey and Mathurin combined (5). pic.twitter.com/9DC7BnCk2H

— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 14, 2022

Murray’s performance at the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League has impressed incoming head coach Mike Brown. Brown was hired after playing a prominent role in the Warriors, winning three titles from 2017-2022.

“I’m just getting to know Keegan,” Brown said per Fox40, who was asked if Murray’s approach to the game and personality was similar to Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, “All those thing are correct, his temperament, he’s about as even-keeled as I’ve seen from any young person. His work ethic, so far, is off the charts. His development from his first year at Iowa to this year has been amazing; he went on a huge growth spurt. There’s a lot of positives about him — it’s gonna be interesting to see which way he goes in this business.”

“I will say one thing about him. I know at maybe 35, 36, when I got my first head job in Cleveland, I wasn’t as composed as he is right now — I compare myself at 35 to Keegan at 21; he’s light years ahead of where I was then. He’s gonna be fine in that area, and obviously, he’s showing a lot of promise as a young player, and I’m excited about being around him, and I hope all of Sacramento is too. “

Sitting down with Kings head coach Mike Brown, who chats about Sacramento’s offseason thus far, style of play, gushes about Keegan Murray (clip below), reflects upon his coaching history, strong first impression of De’Aaron Fox & more.

FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/wUHcChQQ9N pic.twitter.com/jplgv9JId2

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) July 15, 2022

Brown also complimented how efficient Murray’s shooting stroke has been and was impressed at how Murray didn’t “chase points, did he chase the ball” when he struggled during the second game of the California Classic. Being able to be impactful beyond just getting a bucket proves how patient and understanding of his role Murray is even as a rookie. He also lauded Murray’s defensive acumen against Paolo Banchero and Bennedict Mathurin.

As an assistant coach on Coach Steve Kerr’s coaching staff, Brown collaborated with Kerr and Draymond Green to implement a Warriors defensive scheme that has helped to make the Warriors the defensive standard of the NBA as a switch-heavy defense.

Brown has also served as the head coach of the Cavaliers in two separate tenures (2005-2010, 2013-2014) and led the Lakers (2011-2012) as well. Brown was an assistant coach on Wizards, Spurs, and Pacers before taking the Cavs job in 2005.