San Antonio Spurs' Dejounte Murray focused on being 'great teammate' after moving to bench

Gregg Popovich, right, said the goal for his team during the NBA restart is developing players such as Dejounte Murray. Gregg Popovich, right, said the goal for his team during the NBA restart is developing players such as Dejounte Murray. Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Photo: Kin Man Hui /Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio Spurs' Dejounte Murray focused on being 'great teammate' after moving to bench 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO – Spurs point guard Dejounte Murray stressed Friday he’s focused on being a “great teammate” while adjusting to his new role.

“I am just here to play basketball, man,” Murray said when asked how he's handling coming off the bench. “Try to be a great teammate. And on the basketball end, play as great as I can on both ends of the floor and just compete.”

Searching for a way to ignite his struggling starting unit, coach Gregg Popovich replaced Murray with Derrick White three games ago. White spent most of last season as the starter at point guard after Murray suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

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Speaking to reporters for the first time since the move was made, Murray was asked if Popovich talked to him before making the switch.

"It just happened," Murray said. "I mean, I am not worrying about that. Like I said, I am just down here to be a great teammate and try to compete on both ends of the floor and try my hardest to continue to develop.”

Spurs guard Patty Mills was asked how he thinks Murray has handled his transition to the bench.

“It’s tough, I think,” Mills said. “He’s had a lot of pressure, and for him to have the year that he had last year and whatever added pressure on to it, it’s tough for whatever young person. But it’s one of those things you got to grind it out, just like he did all of last year (while rehabbing his knee) and find ways to stay positive and maybe (have) little goals that can help him get through it.

“But, overall, I think his mindset still needs to be that starting point guard mentality, where he is being aggressive and making plays. But all of that will come. It’s definitely a long year.”