http://www.foxsports.com/nba/home/nba_news.cfm?source=st&cont_id=63539 Murphy’s stock gets boost June 09, 2001 BY FRANK BURLISON FOXSports.com CHICAGO — Don't look for Troy Murphy to land any endorsement deals pushing pizza as a NBA rookie. The two-time Notre Dame All-America has been dropping pounds rapidly of late and his stock with NBA teams has been climbing proportionately. One of the first things Los Angeles-based agent Dan Fagan did when taking on Murphy as a client was to introduce him to a nutritionist. Two months later, there was a new-look Murphy giving interviews in a Chicago hotel. A much leaner Murphy, to be precise. "To me, 'nutrition' in college was eating a pizza and drinking a quart of Gatorade before I went to bed," he said Saturday afternoon in a NBA-managed gathering of future millionaires and June 27 probable lottery selections. But that was 20-plus pounds, and a whole lot of lean chicken and turkey, chased down with water, ago. "I'm on a high protein diet now," he said. "I'm leaner now and I'm gong to stay on this diet from now on. I feel a lot quicker and more athletic." NBA front-office personnel who've watched the 6-foot-9 Murphy work out in Los Angeles with fellow Fagan clients in this draft class (Jason Richardson of Michigan State, Gilbert Arenas and Kenny Satterfield of Cincinnati) have raved about his new-look body as well as the range and accuracy of his jump shot. "I've been taking so many NBA 3-pointers (23-feet, nine inches) that the college 3's (from 19-9) seem about like 12-footers now," he said. Murphy was generally looked upon as a player likely to be selected anywhere from just outside of the lottery (top 13) to the late teens. Now, it's more probable that he will be chosen in the 11, 12 or 13 spots of the first round. The jump shot is one of his biggest calling cards — he's rarely missed during recent workouts. But his quickness and leaping ability will startle those who haven't seen him lately, Richardson believes. "Troy is VERY athletic," Richardson said a couple of tables away from Murphy. "We were playing in a pick-up game at UCLA with guys like Magic Johnson and Paul Pierce a while back. He had a baseline drive and I thought he would throw up some kind of hook shot or something. "But he brought the ball down to his knees and threw down a reverse dunk. We had to stop the game. It was like 'wow!' No one knew he had it in him." ------------------ President of the Mo Taylor and Jason Collier fan club! Draftsource.net-- the premier source for draft info. Profiles, rankings, mock drafts, and more!
I wouldnt be surprised if Rudy does pick him. Murphy is a big Small Forward that can shoot the ball really well. Rudy I know loved Mike MIller last year, so I wouldnt be surprised with Murphy being a rocket. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
You know Boston won't pass him up. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
I agree. He may end up being a good pick for them, a 14/5 guy to start with. Heck, he's already working out with Pierce...... ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
But if Boston does indeed trade their 10-11 picks up to land Gasol earlier in the draft, perhaps it won't matter when he slips past them. I like this kid a lot--he's got the scorer's mentality, and if he continues to build himself up through good dieting and conditioning, I think Mike Miller comparisons aren't far off. ------------------ Jazzkiller
Troy Murphy reminds me of Jack Sikma. ------------------ Time is a great teacher-- only problem is it kills all its pupils.
6-11, 240, likes to bang, and can rebound (9.8 per). he seems more like a pf to me. it would be a waste to have him play the perimeter. ------------------
He wont be playing ahead of webber. ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
I for one love Murphy's game. He is tough as hell and has a nice low post game. Good rebounder and can shoot it. I get pretty tired of every white player being compared to another white player. Like comparing Troy Murphy with Jason Collier and Matt Bullard. The fact is that he is tougher than both of those guys and I think he will be a fine player. If we got him at #13 then I would just hope that Jefferson falls to #18. Of course he won't so we can hopefully find a small forward at that spot and then take either Ken Johnson or Cisse at #23. God I hope we don't get Alvin Jones..he's horrible! ------------------ "Somebody's gotta explain why I aint got ****" 2pac
Tougher then Air Bullard ? I don't think so. ------------------ "norm, would you like to buy an indian scalp ? This deal isn't gonna make or break me Norm, so don't jerk me around." Harry Carey "Norm, if I had a mohawk scalp, I wouldn't be sitting here talking to you."
I wouldnt use Mike Miller as a comparison for Troy Murphy; they are pretty different. There really isnt an exact comparison for Murphy, but it is something similar to the following. Offensive skills wise, Murphy is similar to someone like Raef LaFrentz, has nifty post moves, hook shots etc and complements that with good range on his shot. Murphy is money from mid range btw. LaFrentz is more athletic than Murphy and is better in the area of shotblocking. Murphy is more of a hard nosed player than Raef and is more of a "warrior". In regards to Jason Richardson's remark about Murphy being "VERY" athletic, I never saw this. Murphy looked pretty grounded to me but made up for that with a lot of grit, heart, toughness and determination. However, there was a reasonable amount of opinion that if Murphy would drop some body weight and solidify his frame that his athleticism would improve. If this indeed is the case, then Murphy will be something to watch and will go in the lottery. However, I wouldnt trust Jason Richardson's account on it considering they share the same agent. One other item, the article lists Murph at 6-9; I wonder if thats true? Every measurement Ive seen lists him at either 6-10 or 6-11. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
