Murphy is hard to overlook

OAKLAND, Calif. -- With the Celtics on the schedule last night, Troy Murphy was practically assured a good day from the moment he rolled out of bed.

Although Murphy might be easily overlooked in conversations around the country about the top big men in the NBA, that should not be the case in Boston. The Celtics bring out the best in the 6-foot-11-inch Golden State forward. Not exactly good news for a Green team struggling to keep pace on the boards, and otherwise.

When the teams met for the first time this season Dec. 19, Murphy tied a season high with 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He recorded a career-high 30 points against Boston Dec. 6, 2004. Prior to last night, Murphy had averaged 24 points and 14.3 rebounds in his past three games against the Celtics.

''I always wanted to play for the Celtics growing up," said Murphy, who spent his childhood in New Jersey. ''They had two opportunities to draft me and passed. So I've always had a special place in my heart for the Celtics."

When asked if Boston would have been a good fit, Murphy laughed and added, ''I'm Irish. I went to Notre Dame. It would have worked out well."

It has worked out just fine with Golden State. After all, Murphy performs well on more than the two nights the Warriors face the Celtics. Last season, he was one of only 10 NBA players to average a double-double (15.4 points and 10.8 rebounds). Of those 10, only seven averaged at least 15 points and 10 rebounds. Murphy joined Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, Tim Duncan, Emeka Okafor, Shaquille O'Neal, and Lamar Odom in that elite category.

When it comes to rebounding, Murphy has proved to be the class of the 2001 draft, when he was selected No. 14 overall. He is the only player chosen in that draft to average at least 10 rebounds in a season twice (2002-03 and 2004-05). Zach Randolph is the only other player from that draft to average 10 rebounds in a season; he did it once. Other big names drafted in 2001, such as New York's Eddy Curry and Chicago's Tyson Chandler, have not done it. The Celtics selected Joe Johnson (No. 10 overall) and Kedrick Brown (No. 11) before Murphy, then followed with Joseph Forte (No. 21).

''That draft was the year of the high school guys, so that kind of set me back a couple of spots," Murphy said. ''But rebounding is something I take pride in. It's all effort."

But Murphy has become more than a rebounder, stretching his offensive game to the 3-point line. In his first three NBA seasons, Murphy made 11 3-pointers. Last season, it was 59 as he shot almost 40 percent from the arc. Going into last night, he had made 38 3-pointers this season, again shooting close to 40 percent. Mark Blount drew the assignment of guarding Murphy last night, and knew he could spend a lot of time on the perimeter.

''Guys can close out really quick in the NBA," Murphy said. ''So, I try to increase my range during the summer. It gives me more time to get my shot off when I [take attempts] from 3-point range. It makes you a more valuable offensive player if you can knock down the three."

That meant more challenges for the Celtics last night.

''He's a matchup nightmare because he's got some quickness," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Murphy. ''He does a lot of what Raef [LaFrentz] can do when he's making shots, but [Murphy] can take you off the dribble as well. He's a great complement to [Jason] Richardson and [Baron] Davis. It's a great fit for them."