Ronald "Flip" Murray Ronald Murray has already proved he can be a 20 ppg player while Ray Allen was out, so why is still in town? Seattle could move him, and his HUGE contract, out of town and aquire a piece they actually need like a center. I'm confident that Flip can give Seattle production quite similar to that of Ray Allen's, granted he gets those starting minutes. What's the feel up there in Seattle on the whole Ronald Murray situation? Any trade rumors pertaining to him or Ray?
Flip is good, but isn't close to the player Ray is, and I doubt he will be. His shot selection is off at times, and he doesn't have the versatility or leadership Ray has. I love Flip's potential, but he may be best served as trade bait, an incentive to get a big contract off our hands. I'm more than happy with him staying in Seattle, but not at the expense of Ray, who has shown he is every bit the franchise player.
I agree with Supersonic...there is a difference between a good player and a franchise player. Ray Allen is to the Sonics right now what the space needle is to Seattle. He's the most recognizable figure on the team and he's that way for a reason. Not only was he acquired for one of the biggest fan favorites ever to don a jersey for any sport in Seattle, but he possesses the charisma, leadership ability, charm, and of course basketball skills to lead a team. Flip is more of an accent, the guy that doesn't pop out at you when you play a team but if you leave him alone he will kill you. Both are great assets to a team but when it comes down to it, the Sonics would not have won nearly as much games this year if they were without Ray Allen because he is an invaluable asset to the Sonics' ballclub.
Yup he's best used as a way of getting rif of Jerome James, Calvin Booth etc, he's not near what Ray is, not as good a shooter, decision maker, defender (even though Ray's isn't amazing), leader, and many other things.
I like him a lot, he works hard and does what he does well, but he's virtually at the peak of his skills, much like TJ Ford, I see him as a good player material guy, but also not as a star. Ray Allen on the otherhand, regardless of really devastating injuries continues to play so hard and really well at that, once he's back to full health, there's no way there can ever be a comparison, even now.
Murray is not as consistent as Ray Allen yet, and it depends on which directions the Sonics management want to go for him to be the core player. I think he will be better served for Seattle to trade him for a lottery pick in this year's draft.
A good sixth man is a valuable asset to any team. Just because the guy isn't a starter doesn't mean that 1) he should replace a proven starter or 2) he should be traded.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ANiMuS:</div><div class="quote_post">A good sixth man is a valuable asset to any team. Just because the guy isn't a starter doesn't mean that 1) he should replace a proven starter or 2) he should be traded.</div> No one is saying trade him, however there will come a time when he wants starters minutes. The value of a guy like Flip is he can be packaged to try and rid ourselves of a contract like James and Booth. No guarantees, but it makes the chances of clearing one of those two better.
