'When I was a little kid, I was wearing his jersey…' Jamal Murray shows respect to LeBron James after putting Lakers superstar on highlight reel

I remember when I was a little kid, I was wearing his jersey while he was playing against Orlando. I just remember him catching and hitting it with 1 second left. He's been one of my favorite players from time, and just a pleasure to go against him. He makes you think during the game. It's been fun to go back and forth with one of the greats. Jamal Murray said

Murray acknowledged LeBron James as one of the greats. Someone who he idolized growing up and it was special to go back and forth against him.

For Jamal Murray, it is life coming full circle. At one point in his life, he was wearing a LeBron James jersey while watching him make a clutch game-winning shot. That fan has now made 2 game-winning shots in closing seconds to put his idol and the Los Angeles Lakers away for the season.

Now he and his Denver Nuggets move on to round 2 of the playoffs to face the hot streaking Minnesota Timberwolves. A tough matchup in their quest to repeat as champions.

Jamal Murray and his Denver Nuggets on path to back-to-back NBA titles

The Denver Nuggets had cancelled their White House visit to commemorate their 1st NBA title to win the battle of the west against these same Timberwolves. That is the level of respect the reigning champions have against the team that has just swept the Phoenix Suns.

The champions know these are not the same Timberwolves who they beat in the 1st round last season. Rather a much-improved team with great depth and play the game in a way that might be intimidating for them. But the champions know how to win against tough opponents.

Dispatching the Timberwolves will be another step in their quest to repeat as champions. After all, once they got a taste of how winning it all feels like, they want to keep doing it again.