Flip Murray -to- Rasheed Wallace: Could He Be the Pacers' Acquisition Impact Player?

[NuffSaid]

I know you've got that dear in the headlights look, but hear me out before you thrash me.

On every team there's at least one "impact player" who comes along and suddenly changes everything. I'll admit, when the Pacers signed Flip I wasn't that impressed. I thought, "...just another body to fill a void, and considering he's not really a PG but rather a Point-Forward or Scoring Guard, he probably won't be as effective as most hope." But looking at him now, I'm beginning to wonder...

Our PG's lacked quickness not in the sense of being able to push the ball, but in that first step in order to take his man off the dribble and get around defenders. Diener is fast, but he's not quick. Tinsley (when healthy) is fast, but he's not quick. Daniels is elusive, but he's neither quick nor fast. Owens has quickness and could be fast if he had the ball control to go with his speed. Something else every one of our PGs lacked except Tinsley (but you may as well place him in this catergory since he's been out of the lineup for so long) was the ability to finish at the basket. The only PG who was affective at finishing at the rim was Tinsley.

So, now I look at Flip Murray and I'm beginning to think maybe there was something to acquiring him after all. His stat line for the Pacers is rather impressive for someone who has only played in 9 games w/3 starts to his credit:

MPG: 22
FG%: .451 (46-102)
3P%: .350 (7-20)
FT%: .800 (20-25)
RB: 2 (avg)
Ast: 2 (avg)
Stl: 1 (avg)
TO: 2 (avg)
PPG: 13 (avg)

Most points scored as a Pacer*: 22 against Charlotte (3/19)

*It should be noted that Murray's point totals have increased every game since 3/15; 11 against Orlando, 14 against NY and 22 just yesterday (3/19) against Charlotte.

Most of his damage has come off his ability to create shots for himself! Moreover, he's starting to look for his teammates! Still further, he plays some very good defense!! He's been very effective when paired with Granger, Daniels, Foster and Harrison. Could he be what this team needed to finally get over that hump?

[Jonathan]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Yes Flip is what the Pacers need
A guard that can break defenders down one on one and get to the rack

I give Diener a lot of credit for the way he has played this season but I believe he has hit the wall. He was not expected to play as much as he has so Flip has helped our team tremedously. Will we make the playoffs(IDK) Will he be on the team next season (I HOPE). If the Pacers end up making the Playoffs Flip deserves and should get all the credit in the world. Also Give Larry Bird some props for his signings this season of Murray, Diener, Rush, and Owens.

[Unclebuck]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

I like Flip as a backup shooting guard.

still need starting point - for the 5th year in a row - still need a starting point

[Speed]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

I like Flip as a backup shooting guard.

still need starting point - for the 5 year in a row - still need a starting point

Yep, exactly.

It goes back to Flip being what the Pacers don't have so it makes him look alot better than he is. Its the Rush factor, too, imho. He's a nice back up and so is Deiner for different reasons, but you want a starter that can do what both can bring, combined. And yes for the 5th year in a row!!!!

[count55]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Yep, exactly.

It goes back to Flip being what the Pacers don't have so it makes him look alot better than he is. Its the Rush factor, too, imho. He's a nice back up and so is Deiner for different reasons, but you want a starter that can do what both can bring, combined. And yes for the 5th year in a row!!!!

I like Flip as a backup shooting guard.

still need starting point - for the 5 year in a row - still need a starting point

Funny...the last starting point guard I remember us having was Mark Jackson, and its been 8 seasons on him.

[ajbry]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Flip provides nothing except scoring and that will come and go as he's lucky that his shots have been falling thus far.

He's a 6'3 journeyman combo-guard who shoots a career 41% from the field.

[NuffSaid]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

If the Pacers end up making the Playoffs Flip deserves and should get all the credit in the world. Also Give Larry Bird some props for his signings this season of Murray, Diener, Rush, and Owens.

I do hope you're being sarcastic on everyone except Murray (to this point anyway).

As much as I think Diener and Rush have been of some help, I'm a long way from labelling these two as great off-season acquisitions. Same goes for Owens. I think he plays some good defense, however, his offense hasn't been good at all and I'm not sure if it's a lack of skills on his part or the limited playing time.

I expected more out of Rush, but to his credit he was doing pretty good until he hurt his hip about a month ago. Overall, he just hasn't been that "light's out, killer 3-point threat" I'd hoped he'd be. Still for what it's worth, he's had some good moments.

Diener has one of the best asst-to-turnover ratios in the EC let alone the league at 3.82-to-1 (last reported effective 3/14), but his FG% and 3p% have dropped off considerablely over the last month or so. No matter how great you may be at handling the ball, you're not going to stay on the floor for very long if you're not scoring the ball.

All three were "safe" acquisitions, but no where near stellar, IMO. Of the three, I wouldn't mind seeing Diener back next year, but that will only happen if Owens is released and maybe if Tinsley is traded which I don't see happening due to his contract. Regardless, the Pacers will most likely retain 3 PGs for next season and Owens is clearly the odd man out. As to Rush, I'd release him only because retaining him would continue to hinder Graham's progress.

Now, back to the topic of the thread.

41% FG isn't bad at all for a PG. I'll take that and run with it!

[Naptown_Seth]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

No.

Sheed plays defense. And honestly I think Sheed is a better passer too. Consider nearly identical assists for a guy handling the ball 50% of the time he is out there. Brutal.

Not as brutal as the fact that he's better than Diener right now of course.

[Alpolloloco]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Flip provides nothing except scoring and that will come and go as he's lucky that his shots have been falling thus far.

He's a 6'3 journeyman combo-guard who shoots a career 41% from the field.

I know someone else who shoots at that same % for his career and is the classic journeyman type player .

And Flip Murray is the Keith McLeod of this year. Doing well as a short term replacement, but will likely be gone after this season.

[idioteque]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Murray is a sufficient backup, maybe a borderline starter on a bad team (like us).

He had similar numbers for about half a season for Cleveland, and they didn't feel compelled to keep him after his cup of coffee there. There has to be SOME reason no one has coveted him up to this point.

I do like the spark he has provided, I'll give him that.

[FlavaDave]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

I know someone else who shoots at that same % for his career and is the classic journeyman type player .

And Flip Murray is the Keith McLeod of this year. Doing well as a short term replacement, but will likely be gone after this season.

Oh, come on.......be fair.

SJax shoots 42% percent, not 41%......HUGE difference. He's only shooting 41% this year.

[Putnam]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.


in other words


The heart weighed down
By weight of woe
To thinnest reed will cling


In other words, some people will believe anything for a day or two. Sheesh.

[Noodle]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

And Flip Murray is the Keith McLeod of this year. Doing well as a short term replacement, but will likely be gone after this season.

And Flip Murray is the Keith McLeod of this year. Doing well as a short term replacement, but will likely be gone after this season.[/QUOTE]

First, the clowns were comparing him to Best. You successfully wiffed and compared him to McLeod because he's gone next year, in your opinion. Murray has way more skills and a high basketball IQ. Murray is a athlete. Not something to be said about Keith and Travis. He is a keeper unlike the the those two bums. Owens is this year's McLeod. Gone after this year.

Sometimes I think some Pacers fans have a low basketball IQ. It's very comical that some like unclebuck here insist on bashing the one bright spot we have at the position because he isn't Chris Paul, not a direct qoute but the implication. Your fans of a small market team in a financial crisis. What did you expect. Cry me a river. Bird did a good job with this one.

Yes, he is a backup ultimately, but plays above average perimeter defense and can finish at the rim. Isn't that exactly what the doctor ordered. We didn't need another below average shooter; we needed a defender and a penetrator.

Who cares about Diener, honestly. He's a likable and fundamental. Nobody wins with fundamentals. Sorry, unathletetic, short, slow white guys. I can say that being white too, but its true, you never win games by being likeable with good dribbling. Forget Diener. These haters are more than likely the same guys who believe that Graham is the man and should be in regular rotation ahead of who, maybe, no wait, nobody. Guess I'm just a stupid as JOb on that one as well. Uh, he's a journeyman too, so he's a bum too. According too some of the Einstien's on this thread.

Don't get me wrong Graham is going to be good, but his time will come. Afterall, he's at the bottom of the rotation on a bad team. What's that say, do I need to actually spell it out. I'm not trying to call you out Alpolloloco, just ready to boil over from a the ignorance and stupidity.

[CableKC]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

If it came down to resigning Flip or Rush in the offseason, I would much rather resign Rush. I like that Flip has really done well on the offensive end....pretty much replacing whatever penetration scoring that we lose from Marquis whenever he hits his "1 in 3 games" scoring slump.....but I don't like that he dominates the ball more often then not.

I would much rather resign Rush for that reason as a backup rotational Guard to come in behind Dunleavy.

[Speed]

Re: Could Flip Murray by the Pacers' Rasheed Wallace?

First, the clowns were comparing him to Best. You successfully wiffed and compared him to McLeod because he's gone next year, in your opinion. Murray has way more skills and a high basketball IQ. Murray is a athlete. Not something to be said about Keith and Travis. He is a keeper unlike the the those two bums. Owens is this year's McLeod. Gone after this year.

Sometimes I think some Pacers fans have a low basketball IQ. It's very comical that some like unclebuck here insist on bashing the one bright spot we have at the position because he isn't Chris Paul, not a direct qoute but the implication. Your fans of a small market team in a financial crisis. What did you expect. Cry me a river. Bird did a good job with this one.

Yes, he is a backup ultimately, but plays above average perimeter defense and can finish at the rim. Isn't that exactly what the doctor ordered. We didn't need another below average shooter; we needed a defender and a penetrator.

Who cares about Diener, honestly. He's a likable and fundamental. Nobody wins with fundamentals. Sorry, unathletetic, short, slow white guys. I can say that being white too, but its true, you never win games by being likeable with good dribbling. Forget Diener. These haters are more than likely the same guys who believe that Graham is the man and should be in regular rotation ahead of who, maybe, no wait, nobody. Guess I'm just a stupid as JOb on that one as well. Uh, he's a journeyman too, so he's a bum too. According too some of the Einstien's on this thread.

Don't get me wrong Graham is going to be good, but his time will come. Afterall, he's at the bottom of the rotation on a bad team. What's that say, do I need to actually spell it out. I'm not trying to call you out Alpolloloco, just ready to boil over from a the ignorance and stupidity.

Why did Detroit let him go?

I'm struggling to understand what this says. Put me in the dumb posters on this thread category, I guess.

I think posters are saying he's a good back up point guard or maybe I'm misreading that too.