Ronald "Flip" Murray has become the Sonics ultimate throw-in. Murray was acquired as a rookie in the trade that sent Gary Payton to Milwaukee and brought Ray Allen to Seattle largely because of his salary, though Coach Nate McMillan liked Murray's potential on the recommendation of his brother, an assistant coach for a rival to Murray's D-II Shaw University (Murray was D-II Player of the Year as a senior). After a breakout summer-league performance, Murray got a chance to start on Opening Night 2003 when Allen was injured. He responded by scoring 20+ points 10 times in his first 11 games. Even after returning to the bench, Murray was picked to play on the Sophomore team in the got milk? Rookie Challenge, scoring 25 points and handing out 11 assists in the game.
