The Pelicans’ looks got Trey Murphy III back on track at the right time.
Shooting drop? What shooting crisis? This nonsense should never be mentioned around Trey Murphy III after a huge night helping Brandon Ingram lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers. The third-year sniper may have been a little off target earlier in the season, but that’s understandable. Murphy III is coming off major knee surgery, his first major injury since starting basketball. However, any hesitation or residual rust now appears to be long gone.
THE The Pelicans have a tough road ahead to a top-six seed, but the Virginia senior seems locked in at just the right time. Not only are the NBA Playoffs fast approaching, but the 23-year-old is eligible for a nine-figure rookie-level contract extension this summer. Murphy III finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, two steals and an assist in the blowout win over the Pacers. He was 8 of 14 from the field and 6 of 12 from three-point range. Willie Green, third year head coach We couldn’t be happier.
“Trey was awesome. He understands what teams are trying to do to him,” Green said. “When he shoots, he shoots it. Now he gets taken down while faking and driving, only to finish or throw it to a teammate. When he makes shots like that, it’s demoralizing for the other team. It’s great to see him once again, along with some of our other guys, have some (good) games.
The fan favorite known as Trigga Trey was honestly I never worried about a seizure, However. Murphy III had a “this too shall pass” attitude the entire time. The calculation still works.
“I knew (the shooting) was going to come back. It’s the law of large numbers, that’s all it is,” Murphy III said. “(Three-point percentage) is going to get back to where it’s supposed to be. You will have your ebbs and flows. You may go lower than your natural average, and you might be higher on some days. You do the work and trust it to stay confident, then you will get to where you are supposed to be.
The Pelicans press room receives a surprise visitor
Mom Albeda Murphy crashed the postgame press scrum to press Trey on a few embarrassing missed free throws. Murphy III wanted to move on immediately to the next question, but no one in the room dared interrupt the proud and hilarious mother.
“Yeah, I obviously have to make free throws,” Murphy III admitted shyly. “Don’t rush and don’t get too excited then yes, next question please.”
He was a little more serious when talking about the mental approach when the shots weren’t falling. The trick apparently is to not even think about filming.
“I think for me it’s just that I stopped focusing on just shooting the ball. It should be second nature to me because I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Murphy III explained. “My main goal has been to rebound the ball and not think when I’m on the court. I think that’s the most important thing for me after the All-Star break. Relax, take a deep breath and just understand that I still have so many pieces to play. Now I just focus on physical play, rebounding the ball and getting my teammates involved. Then just let the shavings fall where they may.
Trey Murphy III ready for the playoffs
Murphy III totaled 65 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals while shooting over 45 percent from beyond the arc over the last three games. He was a putrid 9-35 from the field and 6-26 from three-point range in the three games preceding the current hot streak. Ingram was the headliner at home against the Pacers, but Murphy III also made a statement with the most wins and losses.
“I thought we just had an off day (in Indiana),” Murphy III said, “I think it helped us recharge, fill our cups, like coach said Green. “Really, we just shared the ball and played with a lot of confidence, a lot of strength.”
As for himself, Murphy III gave a confident so-called reconnaissance report.
“I just know I’m a complete basketball player,” Murphy III boasted. “I understand that I don’t want to be a one-trick pony. I want to make sure that teams have to protect me honestly. I don’t want it to be a situation where I’m just denied the ball and then I’m out. I want to make sure I have a lot of different facets to my game.”
The Pelicans moved into a tie with the Phoenix Suns for fifth place with the win. New Orleans is now three wins and 1.5 games ahead of the Sacramento Kings for the final spot above the NBA Play-In tournament cut line. Fortunately, Murphy III overcame a mild case of the yips before the stretch run hit high gear.
About the Author
Chris Dodson has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball on and off for more than a decade. A lifer of bayou basketball, his wiggling gumbo form matches his elbow-dropping celebrations. Fast enough for college hoops, big enough for a football scholarship. He has words and will travel, but not on the field.
