Underappreciated Players Vol. 1: Troy Murphy

Note: There are some athletes out there I respect/like for what they do. This will be a ongoing list as I remember guys who need some props.


When people talk about basketball's big men today, the discussion usually begins and ends with Duncan, Garnett, and Shaq (maybe to a lesser extent Ben Wallace, usually more so when he lets out his fro). But that's about it. Well, I'd like to add another name to that list. Troy Murphy of the Golden State Warriors.

Why do I bring up Troy Murphy? Look at him. Kid averages about 16 and 9 per game. He's giving the Warriors 16 double doubles in 35 games. His points and rebounds have either gone up or stayed strong in each year he's been in the NBA. It looks even better when you compare him with Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown, and Tyson Chandler, all players who went ahead of him in the draft (Kwame's making 3 million more and he does a heck of a lot less).

I'm not saying this kid is the next coming of Bill Walton (though now that I look, their numbers aren't that different). All I'm saying is that if I were running an NBA team, I'd want a guy like Murphy on my team. Hits the boards hard. Consistent with the numbers. No flash, but no trouble either. I respect that

With that, Murphy becomes number 1 on my ongoing list of athletes I respect. Congratulations