<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">The Atlanta Hawks signed free agent guard Ronald "Flip" Murray on Wednesday. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.</span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"> The 29-year-old split his time between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers last season. He was released after averaging 7.5 points and 3.4 assists in 19 games for Detroit, and, after Indiana signed him on March 1, he logged averages of 11 points and 3.5 assists in 23 games for the Pacers.</span> <span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"> "By signing Flip, it provides us with another experienced player who has the ability to play multiple positions for us," said Hawks general manager Rick 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."</span></div> Hawks add "Flip" Murray - The Sports Network I don't really get this move. Why add him, when you have Bibby, Law, Claxton, Johnson, and Evans?
Great move by Rick Sund. Mike Bibby comes off of the books this year and he is on the decline. Acie Law isn't quite ready to assume the role of a lead guard or for that matter a dependable back up. Joe Johnson is backed up by Salim Stoudamire and Maurice Evans was brought in to handle the role left by Josh Childress. None of those players are players that are capable of consistent scoring numbers off of the bench. They are more specialty guys. Flip has never done well coming off of the bench because he really hasn't had a consistent role off of the bench. If he is able to play both guards spots backing up Bibby and Johnson then you will see him start to really establish himself as a consistent contributor not only as a scorer but also as a ball distributor. Anyone who saw the Pacers vs. Hawks in April knows that Flip still has a lot of game left in him. If given an opportunity to play Flip can be a player who opponents must prepare to stop on a nightly basis. Sund knows what Flip is capable of having managed him in Seattle. I love the signing and I am now a bandwagon Hawks fan. Get used to seeing me in this forum.
