SUNS 102, HAWKS 100: New acquisition Murray displays versatility, range in loss

Flip Murray has been the picture of efficiency for the Hawks during the preseason.

There has been little wasted energy, effort or emotion from the crafty veteran the Hawks acquired this summer through free agency.

Murray has blended in so well his new teammates that it seems like he has been around here for years.

But after watching him work during his first 11 minutes of action in Wednesday’s 102-100 preseason loss to Phoenix, it should be clear to anyone paying attention that the Hawks haven’t had a reserve guard such as Murray in quite some time.

He was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor in the first half, including a 3-for-3 showing from beyond the 3-point line, for 15 points.

Murray finished with a game-high 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting and should have taken the potential game-tying shot, but Acie Law IV’s driving layup was blocked by Louis Amundson with 1.6 seconds to play.

“That was bad coaching, Flip,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson shouted as he walked past the locker room after the game, accepting the blame for not calling the last play for Murray.

Most every move Murray made Wednesday was on the money. He posted up and made turnaround jumpers, drove the lane and was 3-for-4 from long range, showing off shrewd decision-making skills at every turn.

“I think it’s him just getting comfortable with us,” Hawks captain Joe Johnson said. “He was just taking whatever the defense gave him and exploited it at every turn. That’s what veterans do.”

After a tough shooting night in the Hawks’ preseason opener in Orlando last week, Murray has been a consistent force off the bench, a role Woodson expects him to maintain the entire season.

“He’s been solid all through camp, and he’s the one [new] guy that’s really latched on to what we’re doing,” Woodson said. “And there’s been a nice carryover from practice to the games.”

The same way the Hawks use Johnson as a facilitator on offense to start games, Woodson plans to use Murray when he’s on the floor.

“If you can lace shooters around him when he’s posting the ball, he becomes more effective,” Woodson said. “He’ll have guys around him like Joe, Mo [Evans] and [Mike] Bibby that can all step up and make shots.”

Murray’s always been able to do that. It was his calling card in a stellar college career at Shaw and early in his NBA career. But the Hawks needed him as much for his scoring as they did for his ability to create off the dribble, for himself and others.

Adapting to a new environment has come pretty easy as well. Playing on five different teams in his first six NBA seasons has a way of making the transition a bit easier the next time.

“I’ve been on different teams throughout the league, so I’ve had no choice but to adapt,” Murray said. “One thing I can do is come out here and play my game, but at the same time I can learn how other people play on my team.”

That kind of attitude is why Murray’s transition has been so seamless, on and off the floor.

“He became one of my favorites instantly,” Josh Smith said. “He’s a real person. He speaks his mind and jokes with people at the same. And I can respect that. He’ll police you and then invite you dinner two seconds later. That, to me, is the ultimate pro.”