<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Pistons coach Philip (Flip) Saunders sees a bit of himself in new reserve guard Ronald (Flip) Murray. It's not just the cute matching nicknames. Each could be considered something of a magician. Saunders enjoys sleight of hand tricks and sometimes performs them for kids. Murray, a combo guard who has the Pistons salivating about his ability to play point and score off the bench, cultivates his own brand of magic. "He has the ability," Saunders said this week, "to make something out of nothing." Even now, in the preseason, when muscles are tight, new teammates are adjusting and the outcomes are meaningless, Murray has displayed he can do everything the Pistons need him to do. He has driven the lane and scored off the bench, so much so that assistant coach Terry Porter told Saunders during one game that his nickname should be "Buckets." Murray has averaged 13 points in about 30 minutes this preseason. He has hit shots from outside, as well as at the buzzer.</div> Source
Great article. I honestly feel like Flip may have found a home in Detroit. I was reluctant to say that he made the right decision when he signed here in the offseason, mostly because I thought that he wouldn't get the minutes he deserved behind Chauncey and Rip (and with Lindsay Hunter). But it seems as if the Pistons are generally going to try to give him the opportunity to showcase his talents with consistent minutes. What I like about Joe Dumars is that he made it a point to emphasize how much they thought of Murray as a complete player, as opposed to trying to point out what other coaches have disliked about Murray. Murray has gained the reputation of a poor defender only because Nate McMillan singled him out as being one when he needed an excuse to bench him for Ray Allen. He was criticize mightily for his decision making at the point because again it made it easier to keep him sidelined in Seattle when the team was winning. Anyone on this site that knows me knows that I am a big fan of Murray's, not only because I think that he is extremely talented but also because of his mental toughness. This kid has been through a lot in the four years that he has been in the league and not once has he complained (in public) or placed the blame on others. All he has said is that when he gets an opportunity to play that he'll be ready. It seems as if he will get that opportunity in Detroit and I am eager to see how much of an impact he will have on the success of the Pistons. Chauncey Billups is in a contract year also--if Murray impresses enough Bill Davidson may save some coin with Billups replacement.
Yeah I've also always been a Flip Murray fan, which is why I was so glad to see him sign with us. I'm really looking forward to seeing what part he plays on the team.
