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At 6-10, 230-pounds, Murphy has the size – especially as he adds weight and strength – to play in the post like a traditional power forward. If and when he makes his mark on the game, however, it will likely be on the perimeter with his distinguishing ability to hit the three-pointer.
Typically opposing team’s power forwards will defend Murphy, thus if he’s a threat from the outside, it forces his defender towards the three-point line and away from the basket, opening up the lane to enhance what a creative playmaker like Rose can do. An effective stretch four may also benefit someone like Bulls center Joakim Noah, providing more room to operate and giving him a greater chance to be offensively effective.
Dirk Nowitzki at 7-0, 245-pounds is the epitome of the stretch four in today’s game, while Ryan Anderson at 6-10, 240-pounds likely offers a better comparison to Murphy. Just as both of those players can shoot, they also have to be able to hold their own in the low post, a fact not lost on Murphy.
Erik Murphy puts up a shot while playing for Florida "In high school, I shot from the perimeter a little bit just because I could," said Murphy. "But I’ve always been comfortable playing down low as well."
(Tom Pennington/Getty Images Sport)
“I’ve always been comfortable playing down low as well,” said Murphy. “I may not be the strongest or biggest guy physically, but I’m not afraid from playing in the post. I embrace it and feel I’ve got some good skills playing down there. And that comes into play being a stretch four too, being a player that’s not one-dimensional. You’ve got to be a big guy who other teams are forced to respect around the basket, but he can also stretch the floor.
“I understand how to play and pick up things pretty quickly,” added Murphy, who will get his chance to prove it when the Bulls open training camp at the end of September.
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Pretty good article on the Bulls' 2nd rounder.