What does Troy Murphy miss most about the NBA? The socks
After 12 seasons in the NBA, Troy Murphy is once again an undergraduate student. The former power forward who averaged 10.8 points and 7.8 rebounds over 729 games is still a high achiever—as a feature in The New York Times details, Murphy enrolled in Columbia University's School of General Studies and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in sociology. In four classes last semester, he posted a 3.80 GPA and made the dean's list.
The Times story is great, and well worth a read for anyone interested in post-NBA life for a 6'11" big man who's going from matching up against the likes of Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan to working his way through Introduction to Logic (absolutely a more difficult class than the title might suggest).
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Among the most interesting parts of the story? Murphy really, really misses NBA socks.
This month, while N.B.A. players were preparing for the postseason, Murphy was enduring a grueling week of midterms. Spring break was a godsend.
He seems content leaving his old career behind. Airplane turbulence gives him deep anxiety, for one thing, and N.B.A. players fly all the time. Asked what he missed most about the league, he said: "I miss the socks. The socks were unbelievable. There’s something about N.B.A. socks."
Considering the relationship footwear companies have with pro sports, especially the NBA, we have no problem taking Murphy's word about the socks.
- Mike Fiammetta
