Today's PI Murray may get start for Sonics <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Murray, 25, is five years younger than Allen. Allen is one of the world's best shooters, and Murray is one of the NBA's breakdown artists, a guard who is at his best going one-on-one. While penetration is Murray's strength on the court, it's his patience that has distinguished him on the bench, something McMillan said would be a selling point when Murray becomes a free agent. "He will benefit from that," McMillan said. "Because it's not about ego as opposed to what's right. He knows he can play, and he knows the reason he is not playing is because this team has had success playing a certain way with a certain group of guys. "It's no knock on him as opposed to what this team has done or what is working for the team." Instead of showing frustration, Murray has waited it out. "It isn't just about me; it was about our team," he said. "We were winning at the beginning of the year when I was hurt. ... As long as we were winning, I was happy. If I wasn't in the rotation and we were losing, that's a different story. "As long as we were winning, everything was going good." </div> Flip's shown remarkable patience and maturity during this season of DNP's. And he's not only saying the right things, he's walking the talk. On a related note, anyone see FSN last night at the Sonics practice? Talk about jovial - Flip, Rashard, JJ, Reggie, AD...even Nate yukking it up during a break in practice. Didn't seem like we missed Ray's calming influence too much.
These are the stories that the NBA and the media should be trying to promote. Instead all you read about is who is demanding a trade, who is upset with his contract negotiations, which coach is going to get fired, etc. I know that I wouldn't have the patience and maturity to deal with what Flip has w/o complaining, at least internally. I understand that he is rich enough to be able to bide his time but it has to be frustrating knowing that there isn't anyone that can stop him from succeeding other than the person responsible for his minutes. Equally frustrating is that he is on a minimum salary contract and he wants to put himself in a position where he will never have to worry about his finances after his career is over. The Seattle PI has always written favorable articles about Ron (unlike the Tacoma News Tribune). It seems like, for whatever reason, that b/c people can't understand why Flip has carried himself like the ultimate professional throughout this whole ordeal they come up with their own theories of why he hasn't been getting an opportunity. On numerous telecasts I've heard outside commentators (not Calabro or Ehlo) suggest that Flip was selfish, had a fluke start to the season last year, can't defend, should be traded, will not be resigned next season, will be overpaid by whomever picks him up, does not fit into the Seattle team concept, etc. It's like they are trying to pour salt on the wound in order to get a reaction out of him. This story to me is great b/c everyone in their lives are going to be faced with things that are out of their control. Instead of complaining and blaming others you should just prepare yourself when you are put in a situation that is in your control. Flip could have felt sorry for himself long before this season. The reason that he is a professional is b/c he has always made the best out of a less than ideal situation. That is a lesson that I'm going to take with me to my grave.
True enough. Today's Times had a similar story with this quote from Nate: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"He's deferring to Ray when Ray is in the lineup, and when Ray is out of the lineup, like (Sunday) night, he knows that he has to provide some scoring," McMillan said. "He has to do that, and I think that's smart on his part. His ego is not so big that he's out there competing against Ray as opposed to playing the game." </div> I really hate to pile on but it's ironic that, at least from the outside looking in, Flip's shown more about what leadership's all about in dealing with the season long DNP's than Ray Allen did after one game of reduced minutes/shots.
It's good to see Nate have some kind words to say about him, and it's good to see he has the confidence to play Flip when Ray is out. It's been a tough season for both, and Nate has to look after his rotations and what is working for the team over one individual player's needs, but I'm glad both sides seem to see the situation rationally.
