Seeking to add additional depth to its backcourt, the Atlanta Hawks General Manager Rick Sund announced Wednesday that the club has signed free agent guard Ronald "Flip" Murray to a contract. Per team policy, no other details were released.
"By signing Flip, it provides us with another experienced player who has the ability to play multiple positions for us," said Sund. "Because of his versatility, he will be a valuable asset for us as a reserve, and we look forward to the contributions he'll bring this season."
A 6-3, 197-pound combo (point/shooting) guard, Murray is a six-year veteran who last played for the Indiana Pacers. He saw action in 23 games after he was signed a mid-season free agent (March 1) following his release from the Detroit Pistons, and he averaged 11.0 points and 3.5 assists (.425 FG%, .389 3FG%, .754 FT%) in those contests.
He started the final 15 games at point guard for the Pacers last season during their playoff push (Indiana went 10-5 during that stretch), and he averaged 11.0 ppg (.439 FG%, .450 3FG%, .703 FT%) in his 17 overall starts with Indiana.
In a season-and-a-half with the Pistons (88 games, 2006-07 and '07-08), Murray tallied 6.9 ppg and 2.9 apg (.406 FG%, .694 FT%).
He brings career marks of 9.3 points, 2.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds to the Hawks, having played for five teams (Milwaukee, Seattle, Cleveland, Detroit and Indiana) over his six seasons. In addition, Murray has played in 29 postseason games with totals of 5.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg and 1.4 apg.
The NCAA Division II Player of the Year during his senior season at Shaw University, Murray was selected in the second round of the 2002 Draft by the Bucks. He saw limited action as a rookie and was traded during that year (along with Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and a conditional 2003 first-round pick) to the Sonics (for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason), where he developed into a scoring threat one year later (2003-04) while subbing for Allen who missed 26 games due to injury. Murray turned in 12.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg in 82 contests (18 starts) and connected on .425 FG% and .715 FT%.
He spent two more seasons with the Sonics before being traded to the Cavaliers during the 2005-06 campaign, and he scored 13.5 points in 28 games in helping Cleveland reach the playoffs. He recorded his career-best playoff numbers that year, with 8.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.6 apg.
I'm really liking how my team is looking so far. We should look something like this :
PG Michael Bibby/ Acie Law/ Flip Murray/ Speedy Claxton
Sg Joe Johnson/ Flip Murray/ Thomas Gardner
Sf Marvin Williams/ Maurice Evans
Pf Josh Smith/ Solomon Jones
C Al Horford/ Zaza/ Randolph Morris
I think we are a very solid team...
They should probably look for another SF. Mo Evans is more of a SG.
Yeah, solid. Not bad at all. If the Hawks could get a really athletic center and slide Horford down to the 4 and Josh Smith to the 3 and Marvin Williams to the bench, they'd really be something.
Yeah he really is, but I don't really know who else we can get for that Sf spot now. Any suggestions?
Mo Evans has the size of a SG but he's not more of a SG. He doesn't have very good perimeter skills other than shooting long jumpers. Has a weak handle and has no play making abilities. He's actually more of a SF, just undersized. His athleticism does make up for his size though, plus he's a back-up going up against mostly other back-up SF. Not really a problem playing him at the 3. When he's out there with Joe Johnson, he can slide to the 2 anyway because Joe Johnson can defend most SFs.
I don't really know much about Evans but I know he is a hard worker, he can hit some threes and he is very athletic. I think he'll be a fine fit for this team
With the return of Speedy Claxton, the additions of Murray and Evans and probable improvement from Horford, Smith and Acie Law do you guys think we can win 50 games? Im just wondering because I think if they play up to their potential they can. Or maybe Im just drinking the Kool-aid
you might wanna dump claxton, he'll lose minutes behind law, bibby, and murphy
if you like shooting PG's that are undersized SG's that cant play D, then Flip is your man
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
