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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by ApexNC

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[HALLGATOR]

Originally Posted by 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!

That was a hell of a play

[SwampFox]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by ApexNC

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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