Sounds Like Murphy is Leaning Towards Boston

[35Lewis]

Either team would benefit Murphy immensely because both teams use the pick and pop or drive and dish.  The difference is the unselfishness that comes in Boston as well as the slower pace that the Celtics employ. 

This is kind of a win-win for the Celtics though, if they get Murphy then he will help them out as an upgraded Raef 2.0. He can spread the floor and hit the open shot much like our other big men outside of Shaq (and Jermaine the last 3 years). 

If he goes to Miami then it does nothing to address their needs.  They need a tough interior presence and Murphy won't provide that.  He can hit the open shot but it's not as if he shoots 100% from the field. 

I am so glad that Dalembert isn't being bought out because he would give Miami all they need and not have to be a focus on offense.

[celticinorlando]

nice stretch 4 and 5 that can shoot the 3

[footey]

He's only 30, i don't think he's too old to be tall and hit 3s. He's a rugged rebounder... he put up 24 and 18 against us just 14mths ago! I think he will be a KEY part of our rotation. Not sure what's happened this year, frankly, but 7ftrs who hit 3s aren't the guys who suddenly "lose it" at 33, let alone 30.

Will take some time to get him up to speed... basically has to go through training camp again, but this guy will be a SOLID SOLID guy for us. God, i hope Miami doesn't get him!

Raef clerly lost it, and Sheed also.

[ForexPirate]

to think that Murphy will not play a lot for Boston is a ridiculous statement.  Jermaine will not be healthy til next year.  Shaq plays limited minutes even when healthy.  That leaves Murphy and Nenad.  Murphy's defense may not be all that good in the past but how long do you expect him to be poor at defense on this squad that emphasizes defense.

Murphy (hopefully) will be with us next year when BBD decided to test free agent waters again and is now unrestricted.

[footey]

to think that Murphy will not play a lot for Boston is a ridiculous statement.  Jermaine will not be healthy til next year.  Shaq plays limited minutes even when healthy.  That leaves Murphy and Nenad.  Murphy's defense may not be all that good in the past but how long do you expect him to be poor at defense on this squad that emphasizes defense.

Murphy (hopefully) will be with us next year when BBD decided to test free agent waters again and is now unrestricted.

Relative to Miami, he will not play a lot here. He will have double the minutes opportunity there.

[makaveli]

I love that guy, everytime I saw him play, he seamed to be the best rebounder on the floor, and a pretty decent shooter from all around. GET HIM or somebody else will

[MBunge]

Relative to Miami, he will not play a lot here. He will have double the minutes opportunity there.

I'm not so sure about that.  Boston currently has only one healthy center, while Miami has Dampier, Anthony and Big Z.  More importantly, I would hope Murphy would recognize that he'd get a chance to actually play with the Celtics instead of standing around watching Wade and LeBron.

And while neither team is positioned to offer him a big contract, with Perk gone, I think Murphy would have a better chance of resigning with Boston than the Heat.

Mike

[guava_wrench]

Relative to Miami, he will not play a lot here. He will have double the minutes opportunity there.

I'm not so sure about that.  Boston currently has only one healthy center, while Miami has Dampier, Anthony and Big Z.  More importantly, I would hope Murphy would recognize that he'd get a chance to actually play with the Celtics instead of standing around watching Wade and LeBron.

And while neither team is positioned to offer him a big contract, with Perk gone, I think Murphy would have a better chance of resigning with Boston than the Heat.

Mike

Upon returning to Boston, we will have 2 centers, Shaq and Krstic. Shaq will probably only get very limited minutes though and will like sit for some future games.

Miami has Bosh, who requires a lot of minutes, but we have both KG and Baby, which means he would have to battle for minutes at the 4. Miami also has some mediocre big men who could easily be beat out for minutes.

So the minutes we have available for Murphy require him to beat out Krstic and or Baby for minutes or to wait for days that Shaq is aching. KG will also probably have some rest days toward the end of the season.

Being 30, Murphy might prefer the Boston dynamic with the older veterans. That would be a plus. He might also like the Irish-ness of the franchise. But if his only goal is a ring, either team is a good choice. I just imagine it would be more fun in Boston.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I really like Troy's game, and its a no brainer to play him over Nenad Krstic.  But I also think he's going to cut into BBD's minutes too, especially come playoff time.  Troy Murphy is a better shooter than BBD, and a MUCH better rebounder.  BBD gets a lot of open jumper opportunities in this offense, but unfortunately is shooting them at a poor 38% (compared to Murphy's 52% last year).  On the defensive end it will depend upon the matchup, but I could see Troy becoming a decent enough defender given the players & intensity with which he is surrounded by.

Now go get him Danny!

[celts55]

I will be very happy if this happens. I don't understand the "how will he get time" question. Shaq and JO are both out, and with the Celtics, who really knows for how long. Krstic, while he looked pretty good in the one game he played in, also managed to pick up 5 fouls in 20 minutes. For thoughs who forget, Shaq seemed to be in foul trouble almost every game. KG plays, as well he should, limited minutes. Davis, while I like his game ok, has fallen in love with the jumper, and has not been rebounding as he used to. He's also a free agent after the season, and I would not be surprised if he goes to a team that wants him to start. Krstic is also a free agent, so who knows if we'll stay. I can see Murphy getting 20-30 minutes a game this year, and the same or more next.
If I'm not mistaken there were a few people who thought the Celtics were over loaded at the bigs earlier this year. I just don't think you can have too many quality players.

[Silent Storm]

Anyone know the status on Murphy's health? Is he full strength right now?

[Mencius]

Shaq was averaging 20mpg for the season, which is about right, and that even includes some games where he had to play extended minutes because of our dearth of healthy bigs.  If Shaq comes back and averages, say, 19 mpg, that leaves 29 minutes at center.  I think Murphy could beat out Krstic for the backup role, but even if Troy played around 19 minutes at center, and say, another five at PF, that'd be 24 mpg for him.  Plenty on a championship caliber team.

At PF, we could do KG for 31, Baby for 12, and Troy for 5.  Not really sure; let Doc figure it out, but at any rate, I could see Troy getting a good 20 minutes per for us.

If we get Troy, I'm really loving this trade that Danny pulled off.  I'm not counting on JO for anything.  If he makes it back and contributes anything, it's gravy in my book.

[footey]

I'm not counting on JO for anything.  If he makes it back and contributes anything, it's gravy in my book.

Agreed.

[Marcus13]

I hope he doesn't come here...he's probably just going to take minutes away from players who actually give an effort

[celticinorlando]

mike bibby just went to the top of my list with west's new ankle injury