There’s a tough new reporter on the New Orleans Pelicans beat. A certain Albeda Murphy was on scene after the Pelicans’ 129-102 victory over the Indiana Pacers Friday night to wonder why Trey Murphya career 86.6% free throw shooter, missed three foul shots during the game.
She had no praise for Murphy’s 28 points and seven rebounds in one of his best performances of the season. Instead, she wanted to know why he didn’t reach 31 points to set a new season record, and she wouldn’t give in until her question was answered.
Here is the full exchange:
Albéda Murphy: It’s been a few games where you’ve missed two free throws in a row. It’s annoying for your mother. You would have 31 points tonight if you had made all three free throws [that you missed].
Trey Murphy: “Next question, please.”
Albéda Murphy: “I’d like to know why, when I saw you make 98 free throws in a row. What happens when you’re at the free throw line and you miss two in a row?”
Trey Murphy: “Next question, please.”
Albéda Murphy: “No, there is no next question. I will pester you when you get home.”
Trey Murphy: “OK, fine. Yeah, I obviously have to make free throws, but not rush and not get too excited at the line. Next question, please.”
If you haven’t figured it out yet, it was Murphy’s mother, who rushed into the press conference to scold her son about his missed free throws. Everyone enjoyed his mom’s questions, but Murphy didn’t want to participate in them at the moment, which only made things funnier.
Murphy is indeed struggling at the free throw line. After completing 90.5% of his attempts last season, he is at 76.5% this campaign. Of course, when you’re fouled as infrequently as Murphy, it only takes a few misses to drop your percentages. Still, it’s surprising that he’s already missed more free throws this season (19) than all of last season (18), with 109 fewer attempts so far.
Maybe his mother’s tough love will get him back on the right track.
As Mr. T once said: “Mother / There is no other / Like mother / So treat her well“.
