Thank God I do not have to watch Flip Murray suck in a Sacramento jersey.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 18, 2007 12:41 PM PST in Commentary

Other than the new worldwide notoriety that comes with being known as "one Kings fan [who] commented on an Internet site," Sam Amick's Thursday notes column provided some reassuring insight for us fanatics:

Geoff Petrie is still smart.

Petrie rejected a proposed deal that would've sent Jason Hart to Detroit in exchange for Flip Murray. Hart is the ineffective player who is under contract with Sacramento this season solely because he exercised a player option in the summer, knowing full well his role would decrease as the Kings brought in two new combo guards over the summer (rookie Quincy Douby and vet John Salmons).

Murray is the ineffective combo guard who essentially does nothing above average. In the past, he was seen as a scorer, but he has averaged only 12.8 points per 40 minutes thus far this season. (For comparison's sake, Ronnie Price is averaging 13.9 points per 40. Ronnie Price is not exactly a "scorer.")

Murray's deal runs until the end of next season. Hart's expires not a moment after midnight July 1. Neither would help the Kings improve the product on the court (unless Mike Bibby gets maimed or traded, and someone cuts off the left hands of John Salmons, Francisco Garcia, Ronnie Price, and Quincy Douby).

Many lesser GMs would've compared the talent levels of Hart (way ugly) and Murray (kinda ugly), and pulled the trigger. But Petrie knows Murray couldn't have been packaged in another deal this season, and Petrie knows that players on the edge of the NBA generally pick up their options. Petrie knows what he is doing, and that is why Flip Murray is a Piston and not a King.

Some GM will take Murray, though - he's just intriguing enough that someone will toss a wrench into their own plans to take him off Detroit's hands. I am so glad Geoff Petrie wasn't that guy.

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Re: Thank God I do not have to watc

Can I be known in the paper as the one Kings fan who put the Titanic analogy ball on the tee for the "one Kings fan [who] commented on an Internet site," to hit out of the park? Bout time you get some more run TZ in the main stream media to match your street cred hahah. Watch out Marty McNeal might reference you as one of his "dawgs" in an up coming column.

Damn you Robert Horry!!!

by chupacabra on Jan 18, 2007 2:02 PM PST reply actions

Re: Thank God I do not have to watc

Oh god no. If McNeal has read anything I've ever written about him, he might put a hit out on me.

Actually, it's kind-of interesting that Amick quoted that post, in which I deride Marty for his idiot column. Hmm.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 18, 2007 3:05 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Thank God I do not have to watch Flip Murray

What, no link in his story to SR?

by evanmeagan on Jan 18, 2007 2:17 PM PST reply actions

Re: Thank God I do not have to watch Flip Murray

No. No mention of the site either. For the record, other Kings fan communities have gotten pub in the paper before, along with their quotes. No sleep lost over it, though. Next time I reference a Bee story, I'll just put "'Blah blah blah' said one print journalist on newsprint."

by Tom Ziller on Jan 18, 2007 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Thank God for that genius Petrie

Isn't the options you refer to the same kind of options another marginal player by the name of Bibby may exercise at the end of the season? If Petrie is so smart how come he held on to Hart and let a player like Barnes, who was begging to be a King, get away?

by Observer on Jan 18, 2007 2:39 PM PST reply actions

Re: Thank God for that genius Petrie

Yeah, kinda. It's actually a bit different than Bibby's. Bibby is signed through 2009, but he has an opt-out this summer. Hart signed a two-year deal with a player option for the third in 2004. So it ends up working the same, but it's represented in different terms.
He didn't have much choice with Hart this past summer unless he wanted to take place salary, eat the salary and let him play somewhere else, or find someone willing to take Hart back for a second-rounder or something.
Barnes is a SG-SF. Artest, Martin, Salmons, Garcia, Douby... those are the reasons Barnes isn't a King.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 18, 2007 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Holy Petrie

3. With the exception of Martin those are not good reasons.

by Observer on Jan 18, 2007 8:05 PM PST reply actions

Re: Holy Petrie

Observer,
While Barnes was in Sactown, he did not show the potential to be better than any of the players above. The Matt Barnes that we are seeing this year never appeared in a Kings jersey. I sure as hell wish he did. I always liked his attitude and willingness to play hard. I'm happy for him.

by Kusian on Jan 19, 2007 1:52 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Holy Petrie

So you'd take Barnes over Salmons, Douby, and Garcia? Really?

Based on Matty's play this season, it's certainly defensible. I wouldn't do it, though.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 19, 2007 7:37 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Holy Petrie

BTW, I love Barnes. He's the only Warrior I'll root for. I cheered him during his visit to ARCO. Wish nothing but the best for him...

...still taking Salmons, Douby, and Garcia, though.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 19, 2007 7:38 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Thank God I do not have to watch Flip Murray s

I remember playing against Barnes in high school. He was a center back then and he was pretty much unstoppable. He was definitely a man among boys. I was pulling for him to find an "energy guy" reserve role with the Kings last season. A sort of local boy makes good story. That didn't work out, but I'm really glad that he's found his chance with the Warriors. (BTW, I would probably trade Garcia for Barnes right now and not lose much sleep.)

by jaxe kings on Jan 19, 2007 6:20 AM PST reply actions

Barnes for Garcia in a heartbeat

I really can't see this love affair with either Garcia or Douby. Neither has exactly set the league on fire. Garcia is a junior Kenny Thomas, no judgement and fouling at the wrong time. He has the makings of a real head case. Douby may work out someday but Barnes was through the break in period and showing signs of being a good bench player. Plus his contract would not have hurt either.

by Observer on Jan 19, 2007 8:42 AM PST reply actions

Re: Barnes for Garcia in a heartbeat

Garcia is an incredible on-ball defender, and I think his shooting will come around. When it does, he could be an athletic Bruce Bowen with handles. (Could is the operative word, but I don't think I'm stretching too far. Am I? Have I had too much Kool-Aid?) And while he seems skittish with the ball, he's possibly the most laid-back character on this team. (That's saying a lot.)

The prolouge for Douby's career hasn't even been written, so it's impossible to tell how he'll do. But I feel much more hopeful about Un-Douby-lieveable's future success than continued success for our boy Matty.

by Tom Ziller on Jan 19, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions