The Denver Nuggets star breaks down the process behind converting his signature celebration into footwear inspiration, being part of the New Balance family, his new contract, and more.
For Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray, this season represents another opportunity for the NBA champ to headline New Balance’s latest Two Wxy silhouette, with the new V5 edition now on his feet nightly. The lead colorway in black, red, and yellow is dubbed “Bullseye,” taking inspiration from Murray’s signature “Arrow” celebration after big shots.
“That’s the dream right there — to put the image that you have in your head of me [doing the arrow celebration] into a shoe that I get to wear on the court,” he said. “That’s going to tell a story for itself.”
After signing with the brand in late 2020, Murray has grown with New Balance to establish a sense of how to not only create products together, but also how to help grow the company’s presence across the basketball category.
“This is all stuff that you think about as a kid,” said Murray. “I watched Derrick Rose get his own shoe, how he hooped, and the attention that he brought to the shoe because it was him and the way he was playing. That all factors in to now me realizing those moments when I’m playing well, and what it could be and what it could mean to the youth.”
Boardroom caught up with Jamal Murray to hear all about the brand’s latest flagship basketball sneaker, his connection to the star-laden New Balance roster of athletes and the mindset that goes into his love of taking, and making, big shots down the stretch.
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Nick DePaula: What can you tell me about the new Two Wxy model?
Jamal Murray: It’s real comfy, which is the most important part of the shoe. The grip and traction is allowing me to move where I want to go, when I want to go. That’s one of the things that’s most important to me, and I’m excited to wear all of these new colorways this season. We get better each model, with both the colors and the shoe.
NDP: The launch colorway is nicknamed “Bullseye” and inspired by your Arrow move — when did you first start doing that move?
JM: It started when I was in college. In my six months of college, I started doing the “blue arrow” celebration. Me and my homie, I would shoot an arrow and he would do the reaction for it. He’d fall down, get shot in the heart, or some of my teammates would bring him back to life, and everything in college would start to catch on.
NDP: How has it evolved for you in the league, and is there someone else that’s done it that you were surprised by or that you thought was cool?
JM: When I got to the league, I was doing it after every three. Then, I started only doing it after big shots. Then, I didn’t do it for a year or two after the ACL [injury]. Now, it’s back. I’ve seen a couple guys do it in football. There’s also some guys in the league that do it as well, like Wesley Matthews. I think I perfected it though.
NDP: You got your own “Blue Arrow” themed launch last season with the Two Wxy V4 and 2002 runner — what was it like seeing that pack come to retail?
JM: It’s amazing, the partnership that we’ve had. I’m always able to go back and forth. It was really cool to have an off-court shoe, and not a lot of guys have one. That in itself was huge for me. My dad and I got a chance to create it, which was a lot of fun, and we got to make a hoody with the shoes too.
They came out to Denver. We got a conference room and got to work. Picking colors, picking themes, picking textures and details. We put a lot down that we wanted to bring to life for the hoody and the shoes and I’m really happy with the results.
NDP: Of all your PEs — is there one that you’ve heard from friends or fans that they’ve liked most?
JM: The chocolates are probably my personal biggest hit, just the uniqueness of it and the color. Those are the ones that everyone is always asking me, ‘Where can I get those?’
NDP: What other colors & themes are you looking to share this year through your PE editions?
JM: With NBA 2K, there’s going to be a cool shoe that I really like, that’s a very unique color you don’t normally see. I got some personal ones that are going to be cool — but you gotta wait and see!
NDP: What’d you think when New Balance signed Cooper Flagg?
JM: I think it’s really cool. He’s 17! That’s crazy. It’s cool that we have someone up and coming. It’s cool that we have someone from that age group, because not many people that age get to say they have a shoe deal. I just know that if I could [sign NIL deals] when I was at Kentucky, I would’ve gone crazy. That’s all I think about.
NDP: Everyone always talks about New Balance being a family. Now that it’s been a few years for you, is there anyone that you’ve developed a relationship with through the brand or any moments that stick out together when you’re at shoots or events?
JM: I already had a relationship with Zach [LaVine], but everybody, really though. When we do our shoots, we all get together in one spot and it’s great to see those guys. I get to talk to Kawhi a lot, and he talks! It’s cool to see everyone behind closed doors, like Aaron Nesmith, Dejounte Murray and Cameron Brink.
Cam is probably the best relationship I have. We’ve been keeping in touch with her going through her own ACL injury and I’m helping her with that. I’ll send her some texts, give her some advice and some words of encouragement. I just checked back in with her the other day.
NDP: I’m sure you saw this, but Gilbert Arenas said you could’ve easily signed for $325 Million on your new extension — since he considers you an All-NBA and All-Star level player. What was your reaction when you saw that?
JM: People are going to talk about it, but I’m just thankful that I’m locked in for another four years. I think that’s the biggest part, for me, being solidified and having a spot with my team. There’s lots of guys that go bet on themselves in the league, and I would’ve loved to be that kind of guy, but I just think for my time in my career, I’m ready to win now, and I’m ready to play my role.
There’s no stress now for me to go and get [another accolade to trigger a higher Max contract.] I’m good with what I have, and that’s a pretty solid number in itself. [Smiles] I’m not going to get too greedy, and continue to play my game.
NDP: I’d say the Max $208 million number is still indeed amazing. How does not yet reaching the All-NBA and All-Star levels still drive you and give you something to still aspire for?
JM: It’s the respect factor. Once I have the respect of my peers and everyone on the court knows that I’m one of the best players standing amongst them, then, personally, I’m ok with that. If you ask anyone in the league or anyone that’s watched, they know what I’m capable of and they know what type of person and player I am. The goal is to reach All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defensive, scoring champ and I want to do all of those — but for our team, winning and the championship is what keeps us focused.
NDP: Something I’ve always found interesting is the variety of sneaker brands on the Nuggets. Is that something you as players have ever discussed?
JM: Yeah, we’ve got 361, Puma and Li-Ning. I think it’s cool. This is all stuff that you think about as a kid. I watched Derrick Rose get his own shoe, how he hooped and the attention that he brought to the shoe because it was him and the way he was playing. That all factors in to now me realizing those moments when I’m playing well, and what it could be and what it could mean to the youth.
Watching Vince Carter, DRose, Jordan, and Bron, there were so many guys that created images of what you could be or what you could do when you grow up. Now, to put it into real life and do it myself, I try to keep tabs of those moments and milestones and keep it going.
NDP: You mentioned now only doing the “Blue Arrow” move after a big shot. How would you describe the mentality of taking and making a big shot?
JM: There’s no fear. There’s no, ‘What if?’ Or, ‘What’s going to happen?’ That’s the best part about it. Not even in sports, but during life, you think about what’s going to happen, the repercussions or the consequences.
Being so comfortable playing basketball and having that familiarity, I always want those shots. As a kid, you dream of those shots, and you want to put it into real life. When that moment comes, I always try to make the most of it and stay in that moment. It comes from the love of the game, and wanting to do it since a very young age.
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