Forget the MVP drama from last season. When Shaquille O’Neal looks at the Denver Nuggets, on paper that’s a championship team. A big part because of Russell Westbrook complementing the reigning holder of TNT’s inaugural Big Man Alliance belt, Nikola Jokic. But there’s a key piece missing for Shaq to firmly say the Nuggets are going to dethrone Boston. That would be a healthy Jamal Murray.

TNT Tuesday returned as Vince Carter and Jalen Rose joined Shaq and Adam Lefkoe (Candace Parker had to miss it due to the California disaster). And right away they’re talking Nuggets. Especially with how Russ has fit into the system.

Through all the Westbrook hype going on in the studio, Shaq had to pause and say, “Now that Westbrook is playing great, Mr. Murray where have you been?” Jamal Murray has been somewhat MIA because of injuries but Shaq doesn’t know that. Which is why he had the following message for the Nuggets star.

“I don’t know if you’re injured or not so I’m not going to really go in. But I guarantee you this once you step up and play to the level to help you get a championship you will be champions.”

Shaq was close to getting disappointed though. Until this morning, there was a high chance Murray might miss tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Denver injury report listed Murray as probable for Tuesday due to a knee issue. While O’Neal was saying this on TNT, the Nuggets confirmed that Murray is available. Fingers crossed Shaq gets his championship team tonight.

Shaq’s demand for Jamal Murray

Shaquille O’Neal’s tough love for Jamal Murray is a running theme on TNT. Outside it, O’Neal’s drawing parallels between the Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray duo and himself and Kobe. Sometimes Murray just ends up on Shaqtin a Fool. A few times Murray has called out Shaq and Chuck’s criticism of him.

However, while everyone’s speculating if Russ is a better starter, O’Neal’s keeping an eye out for Murray. His co-analysts Jalen Rose and Vince Carter agreed, a healthy Murray is vital.

Murray has played 32 games of Denver’s 38 so far this season, averaging 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 43.5% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point range. The Nuggets are currently 23-15 in the West going into their second straight game against the Mavs.

When they beat Luka Doncic 101-112 on Sunday, Westbrook made 21 points and Jokic was at 19. However, Murray was key to the win with 17 points, two rebounds and two assists while shooting 7/18 from the field and 2/6 from the three-point range in 32 minutes on the court.

It’s all of the pieces at Denver put together that makes Shaq repeatedly says “that’s a championship team on paper.” All he needs is for the team to, “get it together, Mr. Murray.”