A Pacers' Fan Says Farewell To Troy Murphy

by Ian Levy on Aug 13, 2010 2:05 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

With Wednesday's blockbuster trade, there has been a lot of justifiable excitement about the Pacer's acquisitions of Darren Collison and James Posey. I am wholeheartedly in favor of the trade and can't wait to see the team on the floor next season.

One thing which hasn't been discussed much among the optimistic excitement, is the loss of Troy Murphy. Murphy was shopped last season, and it isn't surprising to see him being moved this summer. However, I wanted to take a few minutes to say thank you to Murphy for the three and a half season he spent as a Pacer.

The Pacers have not been very successful during his time here, but it's certainly not for a lack of production on his part. In his three full seasons in Indiana, Murphy averaged 14.8 Pts/G, 10.5 Reb/G and 2.4 Ast/G, while shooting 46.8% from the field, 41.3% on 3PTs and 79.4% on FTs. Murphy's DRB% over those three seasons was 28.1% trailing only Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Joel Pryzbilla and Marcus Camby. Over that span Murphy made 383 3PTs, good for 20th in the NBA. His 41.3% on 3PTs was good for 11th in the league over the same time frame.

Murphy is a player with athletic and defensive limitations, but he played hard and he played smart for Indiana. He knew his limitations, played within himself and played to his strengths. In a time of turmoil for Indiana, he was a player who could be counted on. The Nets are getting a solid, productive and professional NBA player.

I'm excited about the future of the team, but sad to see him go. Thanks for all your hard work in Indiana. I wish you the best of luck in New Jersey next year Murph!

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That video right there.

One of my favorite moments for the Pacers in the last few years. Story time…

So a buddy of mine is a huge Lakers’ fan and this game was on NBATV which angered me cause I only had league Pass then (I’m not local, I bought NBATV the next day). So he sees the score on ESPN, Lakers up something like 20 in the third and texts me that its over. I was confident they would come back because they did it a lot that year. I’m constantly refreshing the score after he dismissed the game. I see Indy down 1 w/ 11 secs left (heart sinks). I constantly refresh until I see the final! Yeah he got an immediate call and just yesterday we were talking about that game.

I’ll miss Troy but hopefully better things will come for the Pacers and him.

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Aug 13, 2010 2:24 PM EDT reply actions

precious memories :(

I watched that game guess only you and i thought we were going to win!!!

by the pac on Aug 13, 2010 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

he ll be on a contender next yr and we will be one everyone wins.

by Justin Arnold on Aug 13, 2010 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

Murphy is not a true power forward.

I won’t miss Murphy. His heart was never fully with the Pacers. I wish him the best, but I was never a Murphy fan. I want Dale Davis back.

by MillerTime31 on Aug 13, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

I wish him luck becaus he isn’t a bad guy or anything but I won’t miss him one bit.

by dbcb on Aug 13, 2010 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

i agree with dbcb

I have loved bashing him on here and I am happy to see him leave, but the guy was harmless and to me was just limited as a player. We expected alot out of him, he is a 4th or 5th best guy on a team, not a 2, and a 1 when Danny was out.

by captain flitzy on Aug 13, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

he'd be a perfect back up power forward on a good team

or a spot up starting 4 for a team with a very good, shot blocking center.

Like, he would be perfect for orlando’s offense with Howard back there cleaning up his mistakes and giving him room to operate down low as Murphy hangs at the 3 pt line.

by dbcb on Aug 14, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

murphdawg

good luck murph. get a better car that phaeton is a piece. that game winner was awesome. the one thing i regret is never getting to see the diener, dunleavy, mcbob/hansborough, murphy, foster line once. i mean cmon obie. u could have just thrown us a bone there. one time for comic relief. the opaque allstars.

by ErK2044 on Aug 13, 2010 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Pretty sure that was the only offensive board Murph ever got

I kid, I kid. He was a consistent guy who definitely did know his limitations (the problem’s O’Brien didn’t, or just didn’t care), can you think of a bad shot Murph EVER put up? I honestly can’t. And he never shot up the streets of Indy with automatic weapons so there’s that as a bonus. Seems like a decent enough dude but I’m not gonna miss him letting every opposing 4 with a lick of athleticism exploit him all night.

And I know it’s petty, but it was almost like if it wasn’t game night Murph was never in Indy. Maybe he didn’t like it, that’s fine. But I’m a big fan of players who try and acclimate and become parts of the community. It helps fans feel connected. It’s why we all love Roy so much.

٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ The sky is falling!

by IndyPacers on Aug 13, 2010 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Im torn...

…between my gratitude for what murph did/ my respect for his professional attitude and my Hatred for his lack of D, not to mention hatred for all things notre dame

by smith381 on Aug 13, 2010 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you

Troy Murphy. No you werent the best defender but what you did was represent the pacers the right way. You came to work and didnt do anything off the court to embarrass the franchise. You have been the second most productive player for the pacers the past two seasons and have done something not many have done with your 3’s and rebounds. I wish you the best of luck and you deserve to make it to the playoffs.

by supercolts on Aug 13, 2010 9:08 PM EDT reply actions

His limitations have been identified

but in the few opportunities I had to briefly meet Troy at fan events he has always had a smile and been very friendly. This was a great trade for the Pacers but to repeat the sentiments of Levy, it’s always sad to see a good guy leave the team. Good luck, Murph!

by mtfearin on Aug 13, 2010 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks

I wish Troy all the best with his new team. I think he gave his all every night no doubt. People don’t forget he is the first person in the NBA history to be top 5 in 3pt shooting and rebounding in one season!!! The only person close to that is Larry Bird who was top 10 in both in a season!! Good luck!!!!

by the pac on Aug 13, 2010 10:39 PM EDT reply actions

If I may..

His only game winning shot here in 3 years was a put-back right under the basket. Exactly where a PF should be.

by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 14, 2010 1:28 AM EDT reply actions

the clip

its an awesome video clip but the thing that sticks out the most to me is how marquis goes for that stupid reverse layup…come on take the ball up strong he at least wouldve gotten fouled and shoulde been able to throw it down…that wouldve been a highlight

by indyhoops on Aug 14, 2010 1:26 PM EDT reply actions