Troy Murphy has been one of the NBA's best rookies after being selected No. 14 by the Golden State Warriors in this year's draft. But just one month into his NBA career, the former Fighting Irish player has earned a reputation for being just that.
On Nov. 16, the Sonics' Gary Payton shoved Murphy as both players received technical fouls in a game at KeyArena. The near fracas was only the latest time an opposing player felt compelled to inflict harm on the 6-foot-11 power forward.
Earlier this season, Toronto's Jerome Williams slapped Murphy in the face during a scramble for the ball. Before that incident, Murphy was in two scraps with Portland's Antonio Davis.
Rookie or not, Murphy is fighting mad and can't take much more.
"Pretty soon, I'm going to hit somebody," said Murphy, who has also been elbowed by Toronto's Keon Clark, who drew a $7,500 fine. "It gets to a certain point where you have to do something. Five games into my career, I'm not ready to start a melee. But 12 games in, yeah, I'll be ready.
"They can elbow me all they want, but they better watch it. I'm Irish, and you know how that is."
Murphy isn't a dirty player, so it's anyone's guess why the penchant for drawing fights. Perhaps Murphy's resemblance to Gomer Pyle draws opponents to test him; or is it simply Murphy's success?