Bobcats Sign Flip Murray -- Uh, What?
by David A. Arnott on Sep 25, 2009 8:45 AM EDT
32 comments
Now I'm just confused. The Bobcats have apparently signed Ronald Murray (FanShot, Bonnell), which is cool and, in a certain light, vaguely mind-blowing.
Consider:
1 -- The organization is losing cash at a horrific rate.
2 -- They already have $15 million committed this season to 4 guards, 2 PG and 2 SG, two of which are, ostensibly, the back court of the future and should get meaningful minutes this year if we're to confirm they can play.
3 -- Larry Brown does realize this is Flip Murray, right?
4 -- We went through all this sturm und drang over Raymond Felton's contract only to see the team make an otherwise sane move like signing Murray to less than $2 million for one year? The same Murray who's a slightly better scorer than Felton, in both volume and efficiency? The same guy who turns it over at about the same rate? Felton's a better choice to be a full time PG, but for the backup PG who'll play some minutes at SG? I'd take Murray in a heartbeat, especially at their respective prices. But signing both of them is just... odd.
Seriously, what is going through the front office's head here? They traded Emeka Okafor to save long term money, regardless of any bluster you'll hear about "getting better now". Yet, they continue to make crazy decisions about taking on money in the short term: Tyson Chandler. Felton. Murray.
Flip makes them better, because he's replacing Dontell Jefferson... the third PG. Let that sink in. This team, that's losing money and made a stink about how the Charlotte business community isn't doing enough to help them out, is spending nearly $17 million on five guards, and roughly $6 million of that was totally unnecessary. Let's say they let Felton go without a QO, they didn't bother with Murray, and they signed Kevin Ollie (or his equivalent, since OKC has him for less than $1 million guaranteed) to be the backup PG with Jefferson as the third.
We wouldn't be as well off on the floor as we were before, but Augustin and Henderson would get unimpeded minutes. Jefferson would get a chance to stick in the NBA at a minimum contract. And, just as important, that $35 million dollars the team is set to lose over two years? Suddenly, it's $29 million. The team's medium and longer-term goals would have been better served had they not signed Felton or Murray. But if you think getting the 7 or 8 seed and the right to be crushed by Cleveland is the only goal worth chasing, then I guess throwing money after money at the bench and guys who should be combining for 20 minutes a night is the solution.
Show me that making the playoffs alone, which is emphatically not an indication of imminent further success, brings the team out of its financial black hole, and I'll change my tune.
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The only thing that makes sense with the signing is it being indicative of a future trade.
People are decreeing that Felton wouldn’t waive his ‘Bird Rights’ but in reality, provided the Bobcats aren’t considering resigning him next season it would be in his best interests to approve a trade, go to a playoff team (Lakers, Dallas?) and showcase his abilities for a more media saturated market before entering free agency.
I like that we signed Murray, just not signing Murray and Felton in the same week. Especially when we still have a glaring need a PF.
The wild card in all this is the ownership. It was postulated by many that the Okafor trade was predicated on a notion that a team with a higher future overhead would be less desirable to a potential buyer. Now we bring in more money. There was alot of heat building regarding potential buyers a couple of months ago, but now there’s almost no news.
It’s no secret that Johnson wants to unload the team ASAP and what better way to do that than turn it into a playoff team and make it more desirable, regardless of what it does to the franchises future after he’s moved on. If that is the case, expect to see another signing soon.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Sep 25, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions
Flip definitely provides some flexibility for future trades
Although it’s natural to compare Felton to Flip, I don’t see them playing the same roles at all. Felton should only be playing PG, while Flip is a scoring guard off the bench, who could play PG in a pinch.
The odd man out is Henderson, who may not see much playing time early in the season. Henderson’s offense is a work in progress, and he may not be ready to provide the kind of bench scoring the Bobcats need. Larry Brown isn’t getting any younger, and I see him using Flip as the backup SG with a mandate to keep the team in playoff contention and the team relevant.
Later in the year, the more likely trade chip is Bell’s expiring contract, not Felton, although I don’t think either of them will necessarily be traded. Henderson should be able to work his way into the rotation as the season progresses, but for now he’s a shooting guard that isn’t very good at shooting.
I see Felton and Bell being a package deal to take a bigger contract.
I have no problem with the team taking on more money, provided the player is good to begin with, not another Vlad Rad, Diop or Nazr.
Rosterbation Warning:
I’m thinking something like:
- Felton, Bell and Nazr to Philidelphia for Elton Brand.
Brand has been wholly disappointing for the 76ers and never really seemed to fit in with their offense. Shedding his contract could be a precursor to making a run at Chris Bosh in the offseason.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Sep 25, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That could be a great move for the Bobcats
Assuming Brand comes back healthy and accepts the trade. But as a burned Clipper fan, Brand is DEAD to me. I’d prefer that the 76ers trade him to Russia. But as a concept, that’s a very interesting deal if Felton (and FElton – Brand’s name at ClipsNation) would go along with it.
I like the way you think James. That move would give the Bobcats their first ever legitimate low post threat (if healthy). Although I don’t think Jordan and LB would like another Duke guy on the team. LOLZ
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S. Thompson
by mad_dog_maddux on Sep 25, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't confuse a dominant scorer with a "threat."
Okafor has been plenty of a threat for the past few years.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
too bad Meka could never back that threat up...
seriously I have nothing against Okafor, but calling him a low post threat is a slight exaggeration. He was a solid player and I wish him well.
Totally right.
He was in the top 10 in FG% by accident last year.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, ya got me MP, bad choice of words on my part. Oh well…
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S. Thompson
by mad_dog_maddux on Sep 27, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt they get rid of Brand.
They’ve been making lots of noise this offseason about how well he’ll fit into Jordan’s offense, and he should be as healthy as he’s been.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
True
But don’t they need to tell the fanbase that to satiate their fears that they signed a player to a $20 million contract who might not fit in with their offense?
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
by James The Aussie on Sep 25, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
How exactly would you know?
If Brendan Haywood could put up mediocre numbers in the system, one would imagine Brand could be good to great with ten times the talent.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Murray is not a PG "in a pinch."
He played nearly 30% of his minutes there last year, and has historically played better at the point than off the ball. As I said in the other thread, if Murray is playing 3rd PG/5th guard minutes, it’s a fine move, and we’re better in that spot than most (if not all) teams. If he’s getting minutes that should go to Henderson and Augustin, though, this is a problem.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree Murray can play PG,
But he shouldn’t be playing many minutes there as long as Augustine and Felton are healthy. And while I agree that Henderson should get playing time for the long term good of the team, I’m not sure that any of the current Bobcat decision makers are especially concerned with the long term future of the team. I’m not down on Henderson, but I suspect Larry Brown will play the guys he feels will give him the best chance to win games now.
Oh, and by the way...
The majority of wing scoring in the NBA happens in the mid-range and on slashing moves to the basket, not 20-foot jumpers. LeBron certainly managed to put some points up even when he couldn’t shoot worth a lick from deep.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Comparing Henderson to LBJ?
yea very realistic…
Did I do that?
I don’t think so. I noted that James, as a wing, was able to score without a jumper. That’s called an example, not a comparison. But hey, reading is FUNdamental.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I for one...
would LOVE for Charlotte to make the playoffs and don’t think that we need to give over the majority of the minutes to D.J. and Henderson just to see how good they are. They’ll get playing time by earning it. Do we want to keep chanting “5 more years and we might be good?” NO, we want to see the team win.
The team should do what gives them the best chance at winning. How many teams jump to title contention before the even make the playoffs? Our good Mr. Arnott seems to think that’s a possibility, as he implied as much in his last post. I for one respectfully disagree.
No, he really didn't.
He implied that expending every scrap of our resources to win 38 games, get swept by Cleveland in the first round, and not being heard from again for ten years isn’t a viable strategy. I’m sorry you think an instant return is so important.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 25, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
That's not all..
This may not be of that much importance but I thought I would add it, according to the press release regarding the signing of Murray, the Bobcats have signed someone else?
“The Bobcats also added guard Antonio Anderson, who went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft. The 6-6 University of Memphis standout averaged 10.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.4 steals in 34.3 minutes last season. "
He could have filled the role of the big 3rd PG Brown likes to have around, but I can’t see him making the roster unless Bell/Felton get traded, and I don’t see that happening. He’s a strong defender who can guard 1s, 2s, and 3s. Offensively, though, he makes Henderson look like Kobe. He just cannot create to save his life.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Really?
I don’t really remember this guy when he was in college if that says anything. If he can make Gerald look like Kobe, that’s probably why. I had kind of hoped that this would only be a Training Camp invite non-guaranteed thing. It most likely is.
Yes, I'm sure it's a non-guaranteed deal.
He’s a versatile player, and he’s got some playmaking ability to go with decent rebounding for his position (if not his size.)
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 27, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
welcome to bobcats
Good choice. hopefully flip murray will be effective in larry’s system. I think larry brown can see that henderson is not yet ready to play with the kind of level that he is looking for as a SG.
We are looking for a back up PF.. why did bobcats sign Antonio Anderson?
Camp flier.
I’m certain it’s not guaranteed.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
“But if you think getting the 7 or 8 seed and the right to be crushed by Cleveland is the only goal worth chasing, then I guess throwing money after money at the bench and guys who should be combining for 20 minutes a night is the solution.” -Rufus on fire
Seriously, man…quit listening to Procto. It hurts your credibility.
I like jealousy.
It’s cute on you.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
It's just that when Dave mimmicks you're uninformed and highly unintelligent POV....
…it makes him sound as stupid as you, Procto. He can (and should) do better.
Adding a PG/SG and another SG to me says Bell will be gone…
Perhaps Henderson is at a point to be more than what everyone thinks he is…
Or that they certainly hope he will.
Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt
by MichaelProcton on Sep 26, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Buzz
I talked to Buzz Peterson, he LOVED the flip Murray signing.
choke choke
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