Murphy: CJ McCollum’s Craftiness Fueled Hawks’ MSG Upset

McCollum’s Masterclass Seals Knicks’ Fate

Trey Murphy III knows exactly why his former teammate CJ McCollum was so effective in the Atlanta Hawks’ stunning Game 1 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. McCollum, who previously played with Murphy on the New Orleans Pelicans, put on a show, scoring at will and proving to be a nightmare matchup for the Knicks’ defense. Murphy explained that McCollum’s ability to score is not just about shooting; it’s about his complete offensive game.

“The thing about CJ, I mean, he can shoot the ball really well,” Murphy stated, highlighting the primary reason defenders must stay close. “So, you obviously have to get up on him. Like, he keeps the defense honest and he’s very shifty, very crafty.” This forces defenders to play tight, opening up other avenues for McCollum to exploit.

The Art of the Deception

McCollum’s offensive arsenal goes beyond simply hitting jump shots. Murphy detailed the veteran guard’s deceptive tactics that keep defenders off balance. These moves are designed to create separation and open up scoring opportunities, making him incredibly difficult to guard one-on-one.

“You know, he uses a lot of head fakes, shoulder fakes, and a lot of just body movements as try to throw the defender off guard,” Murphy elaborated. This constant movement and misdirection is a key part of McCollum’s success. It’s like a magician using sleight of hand to distract the audience while performing a trick.

A Tough Cover Down the Stretch

When McCollum gets into his rhythm, especially late in games, opposing teams often have no choice but to dedicate extra defensive attention to him. Murphy understands that stopping a player of McCollum’s caliber requires a team effort, often involving doubling the ball to force him to give it up.

“So, I I see why it’s a tough cover. You know, down the stretch when somebody is cooking like that, you almost have to send, you know, extra help in order to get the ball out their hands,” Murphy explained. This defensive strategy is a clear indicator of the respect McCollum commands on the court.

Proven Scorer, High-Level Threat

McCollum’s scoring prowess is well-documented. He has a long history of being a consistent double-digit scorer in the NBA, proof of his skill and experience. This consistent performance makes him a constant threat that defenses must account for every single possession.

“Because when, you know, he’s in that mode, he’s been a 20 point per game scorer for 50 million years,” Murphy said with a laugh, emphasizing McCollum’s enduring scoring ability. “So, like he he knows how to score at a really high level.” His ability to average 20 points per game over many seasons shows his reliability as a scorer.

Strategic Adjustments Needed

For opponents facing a hot CJ McCollum, the primary goal becomes limiting his impact by getting the ball out of his hands. This often requires complex defensive schemes and quick rotations to shut down his scoring opportunities.

“So you got to find ways to just get the ball out of his hands,” Murphy concluded. The Hawks’ ability to do just that, combined with McCollum’s offensive brilliance, proved too much for the Knicks to handle in Game 1, setting an interesting tone for the rest of the series.

Source: Trey Murphy on former teammate CJ McCollum helping the Hawks steal a first round win at MSG (YouTube)