Ronnie Murphy

Last updated

Ronnie Murphy
Personal information
Born (1964-07-29) July 29, 1964 (age 60)
Dover, Delaware, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school Oviedo (Oviedo, Florida)
College Jacksonville (1983–1987)
NBA draft 1987: 1st round, 17th overall pick
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career1987–1988
Position Shooting guard
Number34
Career history
1987–1988 Portland Trail Blazers
1991 Jacksonville Hooters
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points 36 (2.0 ppg)
Rebounds 11 (0.6 rpg)
Assists 6 (0.3 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at Basketball-Reference.com

Ronald T. Murphy (born July 29, 1964) is a retired American basketball player. Born in Dover, Delaware, Murphy played one season in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Portland Trail Blazers. He was drafted by Portland in the first round (17th overall) of the 1987 NBA draft out of Jacksonville University, where he played for four years. Listed at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m) and 235 pounds (107 kg) [a] , Murphy played one season in the NBA (1987–88) as a guard-forward appearing in a total of 18 games with an average of 2.0 points 0.6 rebounds per game. His rookie season ended after he fractured his fifth metatarsal bone during a practice in March 1988.

Contents

Murphy was suspended by the Trail Blazers before the 1988–89 season for not maintaining a proper weight. [1] Murphy had been suspended the prior season for the same reason. [2] Portland waived Murphy in December 1988 after he spent more than a month on the suspended list. [3] Through his agent, Murphy accused the Trail Blazers of waiving him while he was recovering from an injury, which was against NBA rules. [4] Portland settled the dispute with Murphy, who never played in the NBA subsequently. [5] In 1991, he attempted a comeback and played one season in the United States Basketball League. [6]

Early life

Murphy was born on July 29, 1964, in Dover, Delaware. He attended Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Florida, where he played basketball. During his freshman season, Murphy was promoted to the varsity basketball team after his brother, Bernard Murphy, was suspended from the team for rules violations. [7] Ronnie Murphy's senior season at Oviedo was cut short when he was ruled ineligible to play because of two incomplete grades. Those grades were later removed from Murphy's records, which allowed him to meet the requirements for his athletic scholarship to Jacksonville University. His high school coach Dale Phillips told The Orlando Sentinel , "[Ronnie Murphy] is the greatest player I'll ever coach. [...] I just wish I had done a better job on him as far as his classroom work was concerned. I feel as if I may have let him down." Greg Robinson, the head coach of Lake Howell High School, told the Sentinel, "[Murphy] is the best I've ever seen in Central Florida." [8]

Murphy joined the Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball team during the 1983–84 season. He was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year at the conclusion of the season. [9] During his first season, Murphy played and started in 26 games and averaged 17.9 points per game with 5.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals. [10]

During his junior season, Murphy scored 19 points to help the Jacksonville Dolphins defeat the UAB Blazers, 70–69, for the Sun Belt Conference Championship on March 1, 1986, in Birmingham, Alabama. [11] With their conference championship victory, Jacksonville earned a spot in the 1986 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. They were ranked in the eight seed and faced off against the Temple Owls, who were seeded ninth. Murphy scored 22 points in the Dolphins' 61–50 overtime loss, which eliminated them from the tournament. [12]

Senior season (1986–87)

In his December 17, 1986, column for Florida Today , sportswriter Don Coble wrote of the Dolphin's 2–5 record to start the season, "What Jacksonville desperately needs most, Murphy can't give. He's not a leader — by example or style. It is a characteristic he has learned to accept, although his critics call his court antics one of Jacksonville's greatest weaknesses." Murphy explained his mindset, telling Coble, "I put a lot of pressure on myself [...] I don't show my emotions off the court. But on the court, I want to be prefect. I want to hit every shot. I want to win." [13]

Jacksonville finished the 1986–87 season with a 19–11 record and finished with the second best record in the Sun Belt Conference, 11–3. During the conference tournament, Jacksonville was defeated by the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers in the semifinals round. The Dolphins were invited to the 1987 National Invitation Tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York City where they were defeated in the first round by the Vanderbilt Commodores. [14]

Murphy led the Sun Belt Conference in points per game with 22.0. He was second in the league in total points (661), steals per game (2.3), total steals (70), three-point field goals (69) and field goals attempted 521. [15]

Portland Trail Blazers

1987–88 season

Murphy was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers as the 17th pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. Barry Cooper of The Orlando Sentinel wrote of Murphy, "Some scouts thought Murphy might be taken earlier, but rumors of that he had 'attitude' problems and concerns about his weight — 235 pounds — dogged him." [16]

During his rookie season, Murphy admittedly showed up out of shape to the Trail Blazers training camp on October 4, 1987. He was listed at 235 pounds (107 kg) [a] , but head coach Mike Schuler told Dwight Jaynes of The Oregonian that Murphy was "a few pounds over that". [17] The next two days it was reported Murphy sat out of a scrimmage due to a sprained ankle, however, it was later reported that he was unable to practice with the team since he was not under contract. [18] [19] [20] On October 9, Murphy signed a contract with Portland. [21] Murphy's foot injury was later diagnosed as a "stress reaction". Team trainers had him swim and use an exercise bike to rehabilitate. [22] Murphy began the season on the injured reserve list. [23]

It was announced November 23, 1987, that Murphy had been suspended without pay by Portland for failing to undergo a weight loss program. The suspension had been in place since November 13, but head coach Mike Schuler said the announcement was delayed in hopes Murphy would take the program seriously. Team trainers suspected Murphy's weight, which was estimated at 240 pounds (110 kg), complicated the recovery of his injured foot. [2] [24] The day before his suspension was announced, Murphy insulted Schuler in front of the team in the locker room of the Memorial Coliseum after the Blazers' 120–110 victory over the Indiana Pacers. [25] [26] Following a Blazers game on November 24, Schuler told reporters "We drafted Ronnie Murphy to play. [...] We did not draft Ronnie Murphy to sit him out. He has not presented himself in shape and it's nobody's fault but Ronnie Murphy's. [...] He has an obligation as a pro basketball player. This isn't college. You can only talk to people so many times and say the same things." [27]

Murphy was taken off the suspended list on December 6, 1987, and medically cleared to return to practice, despite staying on the injured reserve list. [28] [29] Schuler gave the press an update on Murphy on December 18 saying, "He has to improve his physical status. He has made progress, but he isn't there yet." [30] Murphy made his NBA debut on December 20 against the San Antonio Spurs in Portland. He played two minutes and missed one attempted field goal and two attempted free throws in the Blazers' 148–126 victory. [31] To make room on the roster for Murphy, Portland allowed forward Nikita Wilson to sign with an overseas club and the Blazers placed him on their suspended list. [32]

Early in January 1988 it was reported that Portland's front office was looking to trade Murphy due to the glut of guards on their roster. [33] [34] Murphy scored his career high in points with 11 on January 13 against the Utah Jazz. [35] When Portland guard Jim Paxson returned from injury on January 16, Murphy was moved to the third shooting guard on the Blazers' depth chart. Murphy gave an interview to in Dwight Jaynes of The Oregonian in late January in which he said, "[his] weight problem was blown out of proportion". [36] Before the NBA trade deadline, David Kahn of The Oregonian reported that Portland offered Murphy to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Cadillac Anderson, but the trade was declined. [37] Murphy fractured his fifth metatarsal bone during a one-on-one practice session with teammate Clyde Drexler at the Riverplace Athletic Club in Downtown Portland on March 21, 1988. [38] He played a total of 18 games during the 1987–88 season with an average of 2.0 points per game with a .286 field goal percentage. [39]

1988–89 season

During the 1988 NBA expansion draft, Portland left Murphy unprotected, although he was not one of the 23 players selected. [40] [41] It was announced in the off-season before the 1988–89 season that Murphy was assigned to the Blazers rookie training camp at the Portland Community College Sylvania campus. [42] Portland general manager Bucky Buckwalter told The Oregonian sportswriter Dwight Jaynes, "[Murphy's] career largely depends on what he does this summer." [43] Blazers' head coach Mike Schuler met with Murphy and told him that the team wanted him down to 227 pounds (103 kg) before training camp. On July 18, the camp opened and within an hour of practice Murphy, who weighed in at 244 pounds (111 kg), was sidelined with a sore foot. [44] [45] After getting advice from team doctors, Murphy went to a Seattle, Washington based doctor for a second opinion, who recommended physical therapy. [46] [47] Murphy was placed on the Blazers' Summer League roster, but his foot injury kept him out of action. [48]

By October 1988, Portland coaches noted a change in Murphy's attitude. Assistant coach Rick Adelman told Dwight Jaynes of The Oregonian, "I think [Murphy's] attitude is much better [...] He has done a good job. He has been very positive and very receptive." Head coach Mike Schuler noted Murphy was in better shape and praised his hard work. [49] He was the team's starting point guard, in place of an injured Terry Porter, during their first preseason game on October 6 against the Detroit Pistons. [50] Murphy's foot, which had troubled him his entire career, was injured again during the preseason. [51] He played through the injury since he was competing for a back-up guard spot on Portland's regular season roster. [52]

On November 3, 1988, the Trail Blazers announced they were suspending Murphy because he had failed to meet a goal body weight and body fat percentage the team had set for him during the off-season. The move freed up a roster spot that Portland immediately filled with free agent guard Danny Young. Sportswriter Dwight Jaynes asked general manager Bucky Buckwalter why the team did not just waive Murphy's contract, to which Buckwalter replied, "We have always liked his skills [...] He has made some progress. We want to give him every chance." [1] Murphy's suspension meant the Trail Blazers did not have to pay his guaranteed salary for the season. [53] Buckwalter denied that there was a financial motive behind Murphy's suspension. [54] On November 23, while still under suspension, Murphy was allowed to practice with the team. He played only five minutes of a scrimmage game before being sidelined with an ankle injury. [55] [56]

Murphy was waived by the Trail Blazers on December 7, 1988. Former teammate Jerome Kersey spoke positively of Murphy, telling The Oregonian, "Honestly, I don't think we have a backup two-guard. [...] Ronnie could do that for us. He could have provided a spark off the bench. I'm quite sure someone will pick him up. He's a talented kid." Portland head coach Mike Schuler was less kind saying, "From what I've seen in the time he was with us, he didn't have enough overall skills." The Blazers were still responsible for paying Murphy guaranteed salary. He signed with the Cedar Rapids Silver Bullets of the Continental Basketball Association after clearing waivers. [3]

After his first practice in Cedar Rapids, Murphy complained of pain in his foot. It was examined by a doctor who diagnosed him with a stress fracture on the fifth metatarsal on his right foot, the same one he injured the prior season. Murphy's agent John Phillips announced they were protesting Portland's waiver with the NBA since league rules prohibit waiving injured players. Trail Blazers president Harry Glickman denied any wrongdoing, but the team's physician, Dr. Robert Cook, told Oregonian sportswriter David Kahn that Murphy's injury in March 1987 may have never fully healed. Phillips also alleged Murphy was being paid under the table during his suspension, which was denied by Glickman who called the payments a contract advance. [4] A total of $50,000 (equivalent to $128,813in 2023) was paid to Murphy during the time it was reported he was suspended without pay. [57]

On January 5, 1989, it was announced the Trail Blazers had entered negotiations with Murphy's agent John Phillips to end their dispute against the team. Murphy was no longer demanding reinstatement on Portland's roster and requested $25,000 (equivalent to $61,450in 2023) in salary lost during his suspension in 1987. Portland's attorney Kenneth E. Roberts told Phillips that the team would pay for Murphy's medical expenses. [5] He underwent surgery on his foot, which doctors estimated would keep Murphy sidelined for four to six months. [58]

Later life

After his foot surgery, Murphy's weight increased to as much as 300 pounds (140 kg). He was a patient at the Baker International Wellness Clinic at Amelia Island Plantation in Florida where he lost nearly 50 pounds (23 kg) in five weeks. Eventually, Murphy gained the weight back and attempted a comeback through the United States Basketball League in 1991. He started the season at 280 pounds (130 kg), but lost 20 pounds (9.1 kg) over the duration of the season. He averaged 4.7 points per game and 1.6 rebounds per game with a .400 three point percentage as backup guard for the Jacksonville Hooters. Reflecting on his career in 1991, Murphy told Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel , "People all the time say, 'If I had your chance, I wouldn't have let it slip away.' Well, they don't understand [...] Just because you're a first-round draft pick, there's nothing automatic." [6]

Dee Brown, Murphy's teammate at Jacksonville University, reflected on his career in 1990 by saying, "[NBA teams are] paying you all that money and they should know how you tick. Ronnie Murphy was a great player, but everybody found out how he ticked. I thought he would be drafted high, but I didn't know how long he'd last in the league because of his attitude." [59]

Murphy was the assistant coach for the Stevenson University Mustangs men's basketball team during the 2007–08 season. [60]

Murphy's daughter, Amanda, competed in weight throw and hammer throw for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's track and field from 2018 to 2020. [61] His son, Ben, walked-on to the Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team in 2023 after transferring from Howard Community College. [62]

In 2019, Murphy was inducted into the Jacksonville University Athletic Hall of Fame. [63]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1983–84 Jacksonville 262638.9.478—.7605.82.81.50.817.9
1984–85 Jacksonville 282730.3.413—.6903.32.71.30.512.9
1985–86 Jacksonville 302933.5.448—.7024.35.02.00.615.0
1986–87 Jacksonville 30—33.5.466.476.7915.63.62.30.822.0
Career114—33.9.453—.7404.83.61.80.717.2

NBA

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1987–88 Portland 1804.9.286.250.6360.60.30.30.12.0

Footnotes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Trail Blazers</span> National Basketball Association team in Portland, Oregon

The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The team played its home games in the Memorial Coliseum before moving to the Moda Center in 1995. The franchise entered the league as an expansion team in 1970, and has enjoyed a strong following: from 1977 through 1995, the team sold out 814 consecutive home games, the longest such streak in American major professional sports at the time, and which has only since been surpassed by the Boston Red Sox and the Dallas Mavericks. The Trail Blazers are the only NBA team based in the Pacific Northwest, after the Vancouver Grizzlies relocated to Memphis and became the Memphis Grizzlies in 2001 and the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moda Center</span> Sports arena in Portland, Oregon

Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden, is the primary indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon, United States. It is used for basketball, ice hockey, rodeos, circuses, conventions, ice shows, concerts, and dramatic productions. The arena has a capacity of 19,393 spectators when configured for basketball. It is equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics and other amenities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Porter</span> American basketball player and coach

Terry Porter is an American former college basketball coach and former player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was most recently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Portland. A native of Wisconsin, he played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point before being drafted 24th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1985 NBA draft. In Portland, he played ten seasons with two All-Star Game appearances. Porter spent 17 years in the NBA as a player. Following his retirement as a player in 2002, he began coaching in the league. Porter has twice been a head coach, first with his hometown Milwaukee Bucks and then with the Phoenix Suns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Dudley</span> American basketball player

Christen Guilford Dudley is an American former professional basketball player and politician. He played 886 games across 16 seasons in the NBA for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and Phoenix Suns. A journeyman center, he was known primarily for his defensive skill as a rebounder and shot blocker. In his second season with the Knicks, he played in the 1999 NBA Finals.

Dwight Jaynes is a journalist and sportswriter in Portland, Oregon. He was a sports columnist with The Oregonian newspaper for several years. In 2001, he left to become president and write a column in the fledgling Portland Tribune and to do a daily radio show for KPAM, a talk radio station owned by the same company as the Tribune. He left his radio role and worked full-time for the Tribune, serving as the paper's editor and sports columnist until leaving at the end of July 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifford Robinson (basketball, born 1966)</span> American basketball player (1966–2020)

Clifford Ralph Robinson was an American professional basketball player who played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected in the second round of the 1989 NBA draft, he played the first eight seasons of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by stints with the Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, and New Jersey Nets. Robinson received the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1993 and was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1994. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies.

Kevin Jerome Duckworth was an American professional basketball player who played as center in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A native of Illinois, he played college basketball at Eastern Illinois University before being drafted in 1986 in the second round by the San Antonio Spurs. Before completing his rookie season with the Spurs, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers where he spent most of his six seasons and was named the NBA's Most Improved Player and a two-time All-Star. After playing with three more teams he retired in 1997 and returned to Oregon where he would later work for the Trail Blazers' organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maurice Lucas</span> American basketball player and coach (1952–2010)

Maurice Lucas was an American professional basketball player who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a four-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977. He was named to the ABA All-Time Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Schuler</span> American basketball coach (1940–2022)

Michael Harold Schuler was an American basketball coach in both college and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and Los Angeles Clippers from 1986 to 1992 and compiled a win–loss record of 179–159. He won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 1987, becoming the second rookie coach to be conferred the honor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stu Inman</span> American coach in the National Basketball Association

Stuart Kirk Inman was an American basketball player, coach and executive. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1950 NBA draft from San Jose State University by the Chicago Stags; however, he did not play in the NBA.

The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team in the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association. The Trail Blazers are currently celebrating their 50th NBA season. The franchise owner is Jody Allen, who assumed ownership upon the death of her brother Microsoft co-founder and Vulcan Inc. chairman Paul Allen, in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Steele</span>

Larry Nelson Steele is a former professional basketball player, best known for being on the Portland Trail Blazers team that won the 1977 NBA Finals.

Harry Glickman was an American journalist, promoter, and sports executive. He was one of the founders of the Portland Trail Blazers, and the team's president from 1987 to 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rose Garden arena bankruptcy</span>

The Rose Garden bankruptcy occurred in 2004 when the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon was the subject and primary asset in a bankruptcy filing, shifting ownership of the arena from billionaire Paul Allen to a consortium of creditors.

The 1971–72 season was the Trail Blazers second season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Geoff Petrie missed 22 games due to injury. Petrie who averaged 24.8 points per game in his rookie season would drop nearly 6 points per game as the Blazers finished with an NBA worst record of 18–64. One of the highlights of the season was Sidney Wicks. He would win the Rookie of the Year with a team best 24.5 points per game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Trail Blazers accomplishments and records</span>

The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The franchise entered the NBA in 1970, and is one of two major league franchise in Oregon. The Trail Blazers sold out 814 consecutive home games from 1977 through 1995, the second longest such streak for American professional sports teams which was broken July 9, 2011, by the Dayton Dragons. The team has played their home games at the Moda Center, since the 1995–96 NBA season. The Trail Blazers are owned by the Paul G. Allen Trust chaired by Jody Allen, since the passing of owner Paul Allen in 2018. Since the team joined the NBA in 1970, it has won one NBA championship, three conference championships, six division championships, and has appeared in the NBA playoffs 34 times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Yelverton</span> American basketball player

Charlie Yelverton is a retired American professional basketball player. At a height of 1.88 m tall, he played as shooting guard-small forward. He is a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaler Halimon</span> American basketball player (1945–2021)

Shaler Halimon, Jr. was an American basketball player. He played five seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA).

There are several well-known and commonly used nicknames referring to Portland, Oregon.

References

  1. 1 2 Jaynes, Dwight (November 4, 1988). "Blazers suspended Ronnie Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  2. 1 2 "Rookie guard Ronnie Murphy has been suspended without pay..." Associated Press. Portland, Oregon. November 24, 1987. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Jaynes, Dwight (December 8, 1988). "Blazers waive Murphy, but hold out hope". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E05.
  4. 1 2 Kahn, David (December 21, 1988). "Murphy dispute flairs". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F01.
  5. 1 2 Kahn, David (January 5, 1989). "Trail Blazers begin negotiations in bid to settle dispute with Ronnie Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E02.
  6. 1 2 Povtak, Tim (July 25, 1991). "Ex-college star longs 'to be happy again'". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  7. ↑ Schmitz, Brian (November 18, 1984). "Murphy's future at JU is no shot in the dark". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. p. 49. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  8. ↑ Cush, Hurkey (March 6, 1983). "Murphy called 'once in a lifetime player' by Phillips". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. p. 202. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  9. ↑ Jacksonville Dolphins Men's Basketball 2013-14 Media Information Guide. Jacksonville, Florida. 2013. p. 45. Retrieved December 7, 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. ↑ "Ronnie Murphy College Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  11. ↑ Jenkins, Phil (March 2, 1986). "Otis Smith hit two free throws with two seconds...". United Press International.
  12. ↑ "NCAA Tournament Roundup". United Press International. March 14, 1986.
  13. ↑ Coble, Don (December 17, 1986). "Tough Times for Murphy; Losing doesn't sit well with Jacksonville standout". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florida. p. 18. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  14. ↑ "1986-87 Jacksonville Dolphins Schedule and Results". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ "1986-87 Sun Belt Conference Season Summary". Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  16. ↑ Cooper, Barry (June 23, 1987). "Sonics, Bulls score big in draft; JU's Murphy tops quartet from Florida". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. p. 23. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Jaynes, Dwight (October 5, 1987). "Rookie quickly learns the shape of things". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  18. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 6, 1987). "Blazers to free agent Sampson: We want you to play in Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. pp. D01, D02.
  19. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 7, 1987). "Blazers rookie Wilson likes playing role of underdog". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C04.
  20. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 9, 1987). "Brewing Blazer trade winds leave Johnson holding on, holding out". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B05.
  21. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 11, 1987). "Kermit tries luck with Warriors". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F06.
  22. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 13, 1987). "Johnson's holdout over". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  23. ↑ Kahn, David; Jaynes, Dwight (November 6, 1987). "1987-88 Portland Trail Blazer profiles". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D08.
  24. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (November 24, 1987). "Blazers have Murphy in the doghouse". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  25. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (November 29, 1987). "Schuler's Spanish lesson". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F17.
  26. ↑ "1987-88 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  27. ↑ Frei, Terry (November 25, 1987). "It's Too Soon for Judgement on Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  28. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (December 7, 1987). "Blazers notch ninth straight". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  29. ↑ "Blazers Take Murphy Off Suspended List". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 8, 1987. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  30. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (December 15, 1987). "Kiki tests sore back in workout". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  31. ↑ "San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, December 20, 1987". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  32. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (December 20, 1987). "Blazers find farm team in Italy: Shipping Wilson to play overseas a smooth move". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. G12.
  33. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (January 3, 1988). "Lakers come calling to settle score with gimpy Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F12.
  34. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (January 7, 1988). "Paxon return starts on right foot". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  35. ↑ "Ronnie Murphy 1987-88 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  36. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (January 29, 1988). "Ronnie Murphy Sits, Waits, And -- Hopefully -- Learns". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B02.
  37. ↑ Kahn, David (February 24, 1988). "With trade deadline coming right up, these NBA teams need help". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D02.
  38. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (March 23, 1988). "Blazers Murphy injured". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  39. 1 2 "Ronnie Murphy Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  40. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (June 23, 1988). "Blazers may trade to reap roster gain from draft day loss". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  41. ↑ "1988 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  42. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (July 12, 1988). "Norris on Blazers' camp list". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  43. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (July 18, 1988). "Blazers, top pick Bryant agree to terms". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  44. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (July 19, 1988). "Blazers' camp opens with fire and icepacks". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  45. ↑ Frei, Terry (July 19, 1988). "Murphy's law may still be in the making". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  46. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (July 27, 1988). "Duckworth's wallet might be fat, but that doesn't mean he is". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  47. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (August 2, 1988). "Norris finally heals enough to practice with Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D02.
  48. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (July 24, 1988). "Ferreira's like a Ferrari for Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F01.
  49. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 12, 1988). "Ronnie Murphy singing a new tune this year". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  50. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 7, 1988). "Pistons pummel Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  51. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 21, 1988). "Trail Blazer' owner plays patch-up role". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  52. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (October 21, 1988). "Blazers, Kiki differ on when he returns to team". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  53. ↑ Frei, Terry (November 5, 1988). "Blazers play away the butterflies". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B01.
  54. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (November 6, 1988). "Blazers are giving Ronnie Murphy another chance, and the question is, why?". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F04.
  55. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (November 24, 1988). "Johnson likely to face fine". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  56. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (November 27, 1988). "Can Murphy escape basketball purgatory". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F15.
  57. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (January 1, 1989). "Machinations by Buckwalter often funnier when he's serious". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. G07.
  58. ↑ Jaynes, Dwight (January 18, 1989). "It's same old Jazz for Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  59. ↑ "NBA talent scouts worry about getting man for all reasons". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. June 24, 1990. p. 37. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  60. ↑ "2007-08 Men's Basketball Roster". gomustangsports.com. Stevenson University. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  61. ↑ "2019-20 Track and Field Roster". gamecocksonline.com. University of South Carolina. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  62. ↑ "Ben Murphy - Men's Basketball - University of Maryland Athletics". umterps.com. University of Maryland Athletics. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  63. ↑ Moretti III, Matt (June 27, 2019). "Jacksonville Athletics announce 2019 Hall of Fame class". judolphins.com. Jacksonville University. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.