Murph is . . .

[gatordavisl]

our Larry Bird.

Ok, I know the comparison is ridiculous, but this kid continues to improve. At this point, he's downright scary. I mentioned it in the game thread, but the best comparison I can think of is that he's a cross between Mike Miller and Matt Bonner. We're lucky to get to watch this kid. He's savvy and tough at the same time. Has just the right amount of bad-boy in him to make him great.

[GatorPlanet]

Murph is a good college player, and might--MIGHT--play in the NBA. He had a career game tonight with 24 points.

Larry Bird is one of the 5 best players to ever play the game of basketball. At Indiana State, he led the nation in scoring AND rebounding, and was among the leaders in assists. He AVERAGED over 30 points per game, and this was before there was a shot clock and a 3-point line. Keep in mind that he won NBA 3-point contests at the All-Star Weekend.

[ApexNC]

Hard to remember a player that improved as much as he has over their career. Great to see him playing so well.

[GatorPlanet]

But yeah, Eric has improved every season and is in for a big year. My favorite play tonight was that offensive rebound and put-back...he stretched and snatched it away from a bunch of Badgers. Great, great rebound!

[gatordavisl]

But yeah, Eric has improved every season and is in for a big year. My favorite play tonight was that offensive rebound and put-back...he stretched and snatched it away from a bunch of Badgers. Great, great rebound! Yes - on the PY miss - that was the play that made me go WOW! Ok - actually there were many, but that was a particularly savvy putback.

[BLING]

Hard to remember a player that improved as much as he has over their career. Great to see him playing so well.

We JUST had Chandler Parsons go through the program, and I would argue by his senior year he improved far more than Murphy.

Not because Murphy isn't good, but because Murphy I felt like was closer to being a really good player as a freshmen - I saw glimpses then of what he is going now with his knack for getting position for rebounds and finishing in the paint (despite not being the strongest or most athletic guy), and he always had a pretty sweet 3 point stroke. Murphy has had a steady evolution to becoming a very good (if not great) college player. When Parson's started here all he did was chuck 3's at about a 20% clip and shoot about 40% at the free throw line. If not for his size (and potential), Parsons almost looked like a wasted scholarship as a freshmen. By his Senior year the dude was dunking on people in the lane, shooting 40% 3's, playing defense, rebounding, leading, etc and now he's getting it done in the NBA.

[GatorPlanet]

About the last month or so of last season, Eric started to really improve his rebounding. It was all about fundamentals, because he's not a slippery eel like Will Yeguete. Eric started to really work on position and boxing out, and he's carried it over to this season.

Actually, Patric Young is also looking like a much more fundamental rebounder now. He's boxing out, grabbing it, squeezing it, elbows out, and looking for the outlet pass.

I like the direction this team is headed. A lot.

[dailydoublecat]

You have to love Murphy. He is a heady player who does so many things in the court. You would have to say he is the favorite to win SEC player of the year!! Another great find by Donovan
Jeff

[ThePlayer]

Murph is a good college player, and might--MIGHT--play in the NBA. He had a career game tonight with 24 points.

Larry Bird is one of the 5 best players to ever play the game of basketball. At Indiana State, he led the nation in scoring AND rebounding, and was among the leaders in assists. He AVERAGED over 30 points per game, and this was before there was a shot clock and a 3-point line. Keep in mind that he won NBA 3-point contests at the All-Star Weekend.

Might?
If this is what Murphy can do playing ill...everyone in the NBA should catch the fever.
He'll play in the NBA with his size and skill set or my name isn't The Player. :wave:

[HALLGATOR]

But yeah, Eric has improved every season and is in for a big year. My favorite play tonight was that offensive rebound and put-back...he stretched and snatched it away from a bunch of Badgers. Great, great rebound!

That was a hell of a play

[SwampFox]

Murph is a good college player, and might--MIGHT--play in the NBA. He had a career game tonight with 24 points.

Larry Bird is one of the 5 best players to ever play the game of basketball. At Indiana State, he led the nation in scoring AND rebounding, and was among the leaders in assists. He AVERAGED over 30 points per game, and this was before there was a shot clock and a 3-point line. Keep in mind that he won NBA 3-point contests at the All-Star Weekend.

Well the OP did say OUR Larry Bird. Similarities: he can shoot inside and outside and rebounding is dependent on superior positioning and anticipation. Differences: besides Larry being superb at the skills just mentioned, he was an AWESOME passer with great court awareness and a very good ball handler.

Eric is proving once again that being fundamentally sound can certainly make up for a lack of elite athleticism.

And perhaps more importantly is the personal maturity for the Eric. It is one of the primary reasons I am against one and dones. Maturity between the ears takes time for most kids.

[rserina]

Outside of being white, I don't see a ton of similarities between Bird or Miller. Bonner, maybe, because he is a stretch four with some decent post skills.

[don23lucia]

Hard to remember a player that improved as much as he has over their career. Great to see him playing so well.

Without a doubt. My nickname for him the last two years has been Charmin for Charmin soft, cause thats what he was till recently glad he is proving me wrong!

[gatormoe1]

Murph is a good college player, and might--MIGHT--play in the NBA. He had a career game tonight with 24 points.

Larry Bird is one of the 5 best players to ever play the game of basketball. At Indiana State, he led the nation in scoring AND rebounding, and was among the leaders in assists. He AVERAGED over 30 points per game, and this was before there was a shot clock and a 3-point line. Keep in mind that he won NBA 3-point contests at the All-Star Weekend.

Might?

Murph WILL be playing in the NBA someday.

[orangeblueorangeblue]

I understand getting excited about last night, and he looked unreal. But Larry Bird comparisons, even in the context of Florida basketball? Dunno about that.

[gatordd]

haha Murphy will 100% get a shot to play in the NBA

[gatormoe1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flT88MH8hAM&feature=fvwrel

[kryptonite]

There's no chance or shot or possibility. Murphy will play in the NBA. Guys with his size, outside shot, post moves, rebounding, court awareness, and basketball IQ don't come around every day. He will have a long NBA career.

[Osiris_DPM]

The next time I see someone that size pass the ball like Larry Bird will be the first

[manigordo]

Murph is a good college player, and might--MIGHT--play in the NBA. He had a career game tonight with 24 points.

Larry Bird is one of the 5 best players to ever play the game of basketball. At Indiana State, he led the nation in scoring AND rebounding, and was among the leaders in assists. He AVERAGED over 30 points per game, and this was before there was a shot clock and a 3-point line. Keep in mind that he won NBA 3-point contests at the All-Star Weekend.

According to at least one NBA scout at the game, Murph should have a pro career to match Matt Bonner's.

[PSGator66]

He has matured BIG TIME and will help us win it all this year!

[jareduf]

Might?

Murph WILL be playing in the NBA someday.

I agree. Might be our top NBA prospect on our current roster. I think his stock will steadily rise throughout the season.

[g8rvet]

The next time I see someone that size pass the ball like Larry Bird will be the first

You mean other than Magic?

[gatormoe1]

You mean other than Magic?

I'm pretty sure half of Larry Birds passes were created in a green screen room. It's all a conspiracy.

[Vasily]

not seeing the bird or miller comparisons but bonner yes, i see that. miller had good handle and create plays off the dribble. Murphy is a pick and pop player who's rebounding and post play is steadily improving. Like this kid a lot.

[GatorPlanet]

Watching that Larry Legend video brought back a lot of memories, and a shiver up and down my spine. The guy was unique.

Little known factoid that I bring up on occasion: Larry Bird seriously considered signing with Florida. This was when the Gators stank at hoops.

IU actually had first crack at him and he signed with the Hoosiers. He showed up for summer drills as a freshman, and the Hoosiers' star center, Kent Benson, was a real jackass toward him, and treated him like scum. Larry said fine, and withdrew from school and ended up at small-college Indiana State. Bet there were some Hoosiers who were upset with Benson about that. Indiana State and Larry, by the way, went on the beat the powerhouse IU. And Larry routinely poured it on whenever the Celtics got to face Benson in the NBA. Moral of the story: be careful who you dump on.

[ThePlayer]

Watching that Larry Legend video brought back a lot of memories, and a shiver up and down my spine. The guy was unique.

Little known factoid that I bring up on occasion: Larry Bird seriously considered signing with Florida. This was when the Gators stank at hoops.

IU actually had first crack at him and he signed with the Hoosiers. He showed up for summer drills as a freshman, and the Hoosiers' star center, Kent Benson, was a real jackass toward him, and treated him like scum. Larry said fine, and withdrew from school and ended up at small-college Indiana State. Bet there were some Hoosiers who were upset with Benson about that. Indiana State and Larry, by the way, went on the beat the powerhouse IU. And Larry routinely poured it on whenever the Celtics got to face Benson in the NBA. Moral of the story: be careful who you dump on.

If he spent his college career here....we very well might have been Kentucky.

[67walkon]

I've got a couple of Larry Bird videos. When you watch them, one of the things that always stands out to me is how much that guy ran. He ran his defender into picks, around picks, through the paint, across the baseline. It was just amazing. And he would get the ball wherever he wanted it, move his guy around a little with some fakes and then do whatever he wanted to do. Can't remember who it was, but one NBA guy told the story of guarding Bird. Bird told him that next time down the court, he was gonna get the ball "right here", do whatever, and stick a jumper. The guy played him for that. Bird got it right where he said he would and did exactly what he said he was gonna do. The guy's reaction on the video was basically, "damn!" He and Magic were the two most unique guys ever to be superstars in the NBA.

[ThePlayer]

I've got a couple of Larry Bird videos. When you watch them, one of the things that always stands out to me is how much that guy ran. He ran his defender into picks, around picks, through the paint, across the baseline. It was just amazing. And he would get the ball wherever he wanted it, move his guy around a little with some fakes and then do whatever he wanted to do. Can't remember who it was, but one NBA guy told the story of guarding Bird. Bird told him that next time down the court, he was gonna get the ball "right here", do whatever, and stick a jumper. The guy played him for that. Bird got it right where he said he would and did exactly what he said he was gonna do. The guy's reaction on the video was basically, "damn!" He and Magic were the two most unique guys ever to be superstars in the NBA.

Reminds me of Billy Jack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v325wdgoFH4

[Osiris_DPM]

You mean other than Magic?

Yes...Magic was a very big PG, but was a PG and his role was to distribute. He was the best at it, with career avg assist numbers that are staggering.

Larry was a 3/4, and primary scoring threat. Yet his passing was more incredible than almost any PG who has ever played the game. The distinction being most wing/post players develop their offensive games to perfect the art of scoring, and distributing is a secondary art. Amazing that someone can be one of the best ever at the former, and still one of the best ever at the latter.

The era of Magic and Bird was an incredible era for the game of basketball.

[GatorLurker]

The era of Magic and Bird was an incredible era for the game of basketball.

Their positive influence on pick-up ball was also amazing. Before them if you wanted a shot you had better get a rebound or a steal. After them it became "cool" to deliver the perfect pass.

[GatorPlanet]

I remember reading a sports article in Larry's final season. They were talking to a rookie star of the opposition team. In the postgame, the guy was amazed, saying Bird dropped something like 30 points on them, but even more amazed that his veteran teammates said "that was nothing, you should have seen Bird when he was good."

[GatorPlanet]

Had to go back and check the stats...

Over 3 years at Indiana State, Bird AVERAGED 30.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. Again, no shot clock and no 3-pointers in that era.

[regurgigator]

Yes...Magic was a very big PG, but was a PG and his role was to distribute. He was the best at it, with career avg assist numbers that are staggering.

Larry was a 3/4, and primary scoring threat. Yet his passing was more incredible than almost any PG who has ever played the game. The distinction being most wing/post players develop their offensive games to perfect the art of scoring, and distributing is a secondary art. Amazing that someone can be one of the best ever at the former, and still one of the best ever at the latter.

The era of Magic and Bird was an incredible era for the game of basketball.


LeBron is in that mold also. I think Bird was a slightly more gifted passer than LeBron, but only slightly.


Murphy provides some of the same skills that Bonner had, but they sure look different doing it. Murphy is more silky smooth (as long as he doesn't get bumped off balance with his thinner frame), while Bonner is so stiff - but has a rugged thick base.

[deebo65]

I love Murph. I think he has really grown into his game. He has always been a great shooter and his D and specifically rebounding has been much improved. That said, he isn't even in the same book much less chapter and nowhere near the same page as Bird. I think if he continues to work on his D and gets a little more solid in stature and strength, he can play a role like Bonner int he NBA. He has a legit shot and I think it would be great for him. He had a great game the other night, and I hope that trend continues. But lets not jump over the edge in comparisons

[gatormann]

Murphy made it look absolutely effortless against the Badgers.