<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Sonics got some bad news on the first day of practice when guard Murray sustained a strained left quad muscle during one of the three-on-three defensive drills. Murray laid on his back near the endline in obvious pain before leaving the court with trainer Mike Shimensky. Murray is out a minimum of one week, and an MRI scheduled for this afternoon will provide a more accurate prognosis.</div> http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/Changes_Fro...-119060-51.html Reggie Evans better not have been involved. Hopefully this isn't serious.
Well, from the Ridnour experience last year, a simple strain can often turn out to be something a lot more serious. Touch wood on this one.
Great players seem to play through injuries. Flip was bothered with back and feet problems last year but was still able to play 82 games. I'm guessing that he is sitting out as a precautionary measure. If this happened during the season, being the competitor that Flip is, I don't think he would have missed much action. The bad part about this injury is that it guarantees that Murray will not start at point guard opening night. Everything that I've read so far suggest that Ridnour will be our opening day point guard. Nate McMillian said in his first press conference that he preferred to have Murray come off of the bench to provide an offensive spark, that he would play both guard positions, and that he would be on the floor in crunch time. My response to that is would Miami bench Dwayne Wade (w/ D. Jones and Eddie Jones in front of him) just so he could be able to play both guard spots and play in crunch time? They would have Van Gundy's head if they did that, and Murray is better than Wade. Why isn't McMillian's head on a platter?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Murray is better than Wade.</div> I'm sorry, that's absolutely ridiculous. They're similar, but Wade has proved himself far more than Flip has, and he's a better point guard.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post"> Murray is better than Wade. Why isn't McMillian's head on a platter?</div> Ah, you gotta be outta your mind to make a comment like that.
Ronald Murray is a better ball handler and shooter than Wade. In their head to head meetings Murray got his career high against Wade. If Murray played the same amount of minutes as Wade there would be no comparison. Wade is a very good player, but Murray will be something special. All he needs is an opportunity.
I think you're really underestimating Wade and overestimating Flip.. Wade has proven himself to be one of the best in teh league in the years to come... to carry the NBA with Melo and Bron... Flip on the otherhand, played 1 good season, had a surprising start, but got benched due to lack of defense. And could be a 1 season wonder... Wade is a better player by far... he can penetrate I'd say about 4x better than Murray can, although his jumpshot and handles aren' that good, it's because he's a natural 2 guard not 1. But Wade is already one of the best in the league at penetrating, so that already sets him above many players including flip.
Don't get so caught up in the media hype. Form your own opinions about players without the media influencing your decision. Wade played well in the playoffs, which probably lifted him over Carmelo in the minds of many fans. The Sonics didn't make the playoffs, therefore limiting Flip's ability to be seen by a national audience. Flip gave it to Wade in head to head matchups during the season and he gave to Wade in the rookie vs. sophomore game. While others were goofing off in that game Wade and Flip really went at each other, w/ Flip getting the better of the two. There is nothing that Wade can do that Flip can't do. Wade is more athletic and better defensively but Flip is also extremely athletic and can defend (despite McMillian assessment). Flip is a better offensive player than Wade is at this point in their careers. Wade is just a lot easier to market right now.
I think it's fair to say that Flip has the raw natural ability that Wade does, but it's almost impossible to compare unless they are in the same situations and getting the same opportunities. At the moment, Wade has the numbers on the board, so he has the big edge. But I can see where Shiek is coming from too.
