Ronnie Murphy

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.

Ronnie Murphy
Personal information
Born (1964-07-29) July 29, 1964
Dover, Delaware
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolOviedo (Oviedo, Florida)
CollegeJacksonville (1983–1987)
NBA draft1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17th overall
Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Playing career1987–1988
PositionShooting guard
Number34
Career history
1987–1988Portland Trail Blazers
1991Jacksonville Hooters
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
For the footballer, see Ronnie Murphy (footballer).

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. In 1983, Murphy enrolled at Jacksonville University. He played on the men's basketball team and was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year in 1984.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

Portland Trail Blazers

1987–88 season

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".[11] 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.[12][13][14] On October 9, Murphy signed a contract with Portland.[15] Murphy's foot injury was later diagnosed as a "stress reaction". Team trainers had him swim and use an exercise bike to rehabilitate.[16] Murphy began the season on the injured reserve list.[17]

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][18] 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.[19][20] 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."[21]

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.[22][23] 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."[24] 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.[25] 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.[26]

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.[27][28] Murphy scored his career high in points with 11 on January 13 against the Utah Jazz.[29] 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".[30] 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.[31] 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.[32] 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.[33]

1988–89 season

During the 1988 NBA expansion draft, Portland left Murphy unprotected, although he was not one of the 23 players selected.[34][35] 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.[36] Portland general manager Bucky Buckwalter told The Oregonian sportswriter Dwight Jaynes, "[Murphy's] career largely depends on what he does this summer."[37] 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.[38][39] After getting advice from team doctors, Murphy went to a Seattle, Washington based doctor for a second opinion, who recommended physical therapy.[40][41] Murphy was placed on the Blazers' Summer League roster, but his foot injury kept him out of action.[42]

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.[43] 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.[44] Murphy's foot, which had troubled him his entire career, was injured again during the preseason.[45] He played through the injury since he was competing for a back-up guard spot on Portland's regular season roster.[46]

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.[47] Buckwalter denied that there was a financial motive behind Murphy's suspension.[48] 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.[49][50]

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 $108,089 in 2019) was paid to Murphy during the time it was reported he was suspended without pay.[51]

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 $51,564 in 2019) 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.[52]

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]

Murphy was the assistant coach for the Stevenson University Mustangs men's basketball team during the 2007–08 season.[53]

Murphy's daughter, Amanda, has been competing in weight throw and hammer throw for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's track and field team since 2018.[54]

In 2019, Murphy was inducted into the Jacksonville University Athletic Hall of Fame.[55]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games 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
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
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
Career 114—33.9.453—.7404.83.61.80.717.2

NBA
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1987–88 Portland 1804.9.286.250.6360.60.30.30.12.0

Footnotes

References
  1. Jaynes, Dwight (November 4, 1988). "Blazers suspended Ronnie Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oreegon. p. D01.
  2. "Rookie guard Ronnie Murphy has been suspended without pay..." Associated Press. Portland, Oregon. November 24, 1987. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  3. Jaynes, Dwight (December 8, 1988). "Blazers waive Murphy, but hold out hope". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E05.
  4. Kahn, David (December 21, 1988). "Murphy dispute flairs". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F01.
  5. Kahn, David (January 5, 1989). "Trail Blazers begin negotiations in bid to settle dispute with Ronnie Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E02.
  6. Povtak, Tim (July 25, 1991). "Ex-college star longs 'to be happy again'". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  7. Jacksonville Dolphins Men's Basketball 2013-14 Media Information Guide. Jacksonville, Florida. 2013. p. 45. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  8. "Ronnie Murphy College Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  9. Jenkins, Phil (March 2, 1986). "Otis Smith hit two free throws with two seconds...". United Press International.
  10. "NCAA Tournament Roundup". United Press International. March 14, 1986.
  11. Jaynes, Dwight (October 5, 1987). "Rookie quickly learns the shape of things". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  12. Jaynes, Dwight (October 6, 1987). "Blazers to free agent Sampson: We want you to play in Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. pp. D01, D02.
  13. Jaynes, Dwight (October 7, 1987). "Blazers rookie Wilson likes playing role of underdog". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C04.
  14. Jaynes, Dwight (October 9, 1987). "Brewing Blazer trade winds leave Johnson holding on, holding out". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B05.
  15. Jaynes, Dwight (October 11, 1987). "Kermit tries luck with Warriors". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F06.
  16. Jaynes, Dwight (October 13, 1987). "Johnson's holdout over". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  17. Kahn, David; Jaynes, Dwight (November 6, 1987). "1987-88 Portland Trail Blazer profiles". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D08.
  18. Jaynes, Dwight (November 24, 1987). "Blazers have Murphy in the doghouse". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  19. Jaynes, Dwight (November 29, 1987). "Schuler's Spanish lesson". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F17.
  20. "1987-88 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  21. Frei, Terry (November 25, 1987). "It's Too Soon for Judgement on Murphy". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  22. Jaynes, Dwight (December 7, 1987). "Blazers notch ninth straight". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  23. "Blazers Take Murphy Off Suspended List". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. December 8, 1987. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  24. Jaynes, Dwight (December 15, 1987). "Kiki tests sore back in workout". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  25. "San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, December 20, 1987". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  26. 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.
  27. Jaynes, Dwight (January 3, 1988). "Lakers come calling to settle score with gimpy Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F12.
  28. Jaynes, Dwight (January 7, 1988). "Paxon return starts on right foot". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  29. "Ronnie Murphy 1987-88 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  30. Jaynes, Dwight (January 29, 1988). "Ronnie Murphy Sits, Waits, And -- Hopefully -- Learns". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B02.
  31. Kahn, David (February 24, 1988). "With trade deadline coming right up, these NBA teams need help". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D02.
  32. Jaynes, Dwight (March 23, 1988). "Blazers Murphy injured". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  33. "Ronnie Murphy Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  34. Jaynes, Dwight (June 23, 1988). "Blazers may trade to reap roster gain from draft day loss". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  35. "1988 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
  36. Jaynes, Dwight (July 12, 1988). "Norris on Blazers' camp list". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  37. Jaynes, Dwight (July 18, 1988). "Blazers, top pick Bryant agree to terms". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  38. Jaynes, Dwight (July 19, 1988). "Blazers' camp opens with fire and icepacks". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  39. Frei, Terry (July 19, 1988). "Murphy's law may still be in the making". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  40. Jaynes, Dwight (July 27, 1988). "Duckworth's wallet might be fat, but that doesn't mean he is". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  41. Jaynes, Dwight (August 2, 1988). "Norris finally heals enough to practice with Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D02.
  42. Jaynes, Dwight (July 24, 1988). "Ferreira's like a Ferrari for Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F01.
  43. Jaynes, Dwight (October 12, 1988). "Ronnie Murphy singing a new tune this year". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D03.
  44. Jaynes, Dwight (October 7, 1988). "Pistons pummel Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  45. Jaynes, Dwight (October 21, 1988). "Trail Blazer' owner plays patch-up role". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. D01.
  46. Jaynes, Dwight (October 21, 1988). "Blazers, Kiki differ on when he returns to team". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  47. Frei, Terry (November 5, 1988). "Blazers play away the butterflies". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. B01.
  48. Jaynes, Dwight (November 6, 1988). "Blazers are giving Ronnie Murphy another chance, and the question is, why?". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F04.
  49. Jaynes, Dwight (November 24, 1988). "Johnson likely to face fine". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. E01.
  50. Jaynes, Dwight (November 27, 1988). "Can Murphy escape basketball purgatory". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. F15.
  51. Jaynes, Dwight (January 1, 1989). "Machinations by Buckwalter often funnier when he's serious". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. G07.
  52. Jaynes, Dwight (January 18, 1989). "It's same old Jazz for Blazers". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. p. C01.
  53. "2007-08 Men's Basketball Roster". gomustangsports.com. Stevenson University. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  54. "2019-20 Track and Field Roster". gamecocksonline.com. University of South Carolina. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  55. Moretti III, Matt (June 27, 2019). "Jacksonville Athletics announce 2019 Hall of Fame class". judolphins.com. Jacksonville University. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
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