Atlanta Hawks: Return of Harris gives Hawks flexibility at guard
Vivlamore reporting. Here is my story on Devin Harris that will appear in Wednesday’s print edition of the AJC. The Hawks play at the Pacers tonight (I am not there) and Harris is expected to make his exhibition debut.
The Hawks are just now getting an up-close look at the assets of Devin Harris. However, coach Larry Drew has known for months how he intends to use the versatile guard this season.
Harris, acquired from the Jazz in a trade for Marvin Williams on July 11, reported to the team’s facility by the end of that month to begin workouts. He began having trouble with his knee and eventually required a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) shot. Harris was cleared for full-contact practice last week. He had not appeared in any of the Hawks’ previous three exhibition games prior to Tuesday’s game at the Pacers, where he is expected to debut.
Hawks guard Devin Harris, at a recent workout, has been cleared for full-contact practice and could make his exhibition debut Tuesday at the Pacers. BOB ANDRES BANDRES@AJC.COM
The PRP shot, of Harris’ own blood, was injected to stimulate the healing of bone and soft tissue. Harris said he was limited while the injection could have its full effect.
Harris will be counted on this season, as part of a multiple-guard rotation, to replace Joe Johnson at the shooting guard position.
“At times he’s going to play (point guard),” Drew said. “At times he’s going to play (shooting guard). At times he’s going to be a combination of both.”
Harris said he does not have a preference where he plays. He has been in a similar position with the Mavericks when he played alongside Jason Terry. With the Hawks he will be sharing the court with Jeff Teague and Lou Williams, all capable of bringing the ball up court or playing the wing.
“I’ve seen the way it can work and how it can work so I have a little bit of experience,” Harris said. “It doesn’t matter who brings the ball up as long as you push the ball. A lot of the three guards can do similar things. We all can space the floor. We all can get in the paint and score. We all can get to the free-throw line. If we have two guys out there at the same time who can do that, it’s going to be tough to guard.”
Originally drafted by the Wizards out of Wisconsin in 2004 (fifth overall), Harris was a draft-night trade to the Mavericks, where he played the first three-plus seasons of his career. He was traded to the Nets, where he was named an All-Star in 2008-09. After two-plus seasons he was sent to the Jazz, where he spent the past two seasons before being acquired by the Hawks. Last season Harris played in 63 games, all starts, and averaged 11.3 points, 5.0 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 27.4 minutes. He had a career-best .362 3-point field goal percentage.
“I was excited,” Harris said of the latest trade that caught him by surprise. “Atlanta has always been a good team. They made the playoffs the last five years. I like their style of play and their approach to the game. It is a good fit for me.”
Harris admits to being “a little rusty” as he gets back into full-contact action. He has spent part of his team on the bench working with Teague, showing the younger player the ins and outs of playing on and off the basketball. It’s a role both Harris and Drew want for the veteran.
“I try to give examples of things I’ve done in the past,” Harris said. “I’m constantly talking to Jeff during games about things I see. I encourage guys to do the same because I all have to hold each other accountable.”
Drew said he expects Harris help Teague get comfortable playing without the ball, something he hasn’t done since college.
The coach has been waiting to get Harris back to full health so he can start to see his original plans come to life.
“I know enough about him,” Drew said. “When we first made the acquisition, I knew exactly how I wanted to use him. He’s been on the sideline watching a lot prior to him coming back so I knew exactly how I wanted to use him once he was cleared to go full tilt. It’s just a matter of inserting him in there and utilizing him the way I envisioned.”
- Chris Vivlamore
THE LATEST NEWS
* Harris could make debut Tuesday
* Hawks report: More defense, tweets
* Williams kept eye and ear on Hawks
* Three players vying for two roster spots
* Hawks serve it up at The Varisty
* Practice report: Defense, cuts and tweets
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147 comments Add your comment
Grandad
October 16th, 2012
6:02 pm
* [it]
steven a smith
October 16th, 2012
6:06 pm
falCans
October 16th, 2012
12:42 pm
Trade Horford for a back up center and legitimate wing. Start ZaZa. Smoove fa president
THIS GUY IS SMARTER THAN MOST OF THESE BLOG “IDIOTS” WHO SUGGEST THAT WE START AL SCRUB HORFORD AT THE 5. I LISTENED TO HORFORD SPEAK ON NBA-TV LAST NIGHT AND CONSEQUENTLY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE WOULD BE AN OUTSTANDING BROADCASTER. CENTER, NOT SO MUCH.
Grandad
October 16th, 2012
6:08 pm
s. a. s.
Zsa Zsa is a Gabor and an Hungarian Woman.
Zaza is a Pachulia and a Georgia Man !
cp
October 16th, 2012
6:12 pm
@Ken. Im not sure
Buddy Grizzard
October 16th, 2012
6:16 pm
Gothic Ginobli has a really positive capsule on Spot-up Joe
http://gothicginobili.com/?p=4556
AG
October 16th, 2012
6:29 pm
Yeah, watched that Hawk preview also. Shaq and Brevin also agreed that Al should stay at the 5, but Brevin said because Josh is better at the 4. At some point LD should establish the starting 5 and allow for continuity. I know I keep changing, I guess because I don’t watch the practices. Thus far, Morrow may have the edge at 2, James at 3. I think that is important because James cannot score.
Grandad
October 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
For `AG ‘ and those who say James cannot score:
Perhaps not;
but he can defend and more importantly he can Rebound !
He brings a ton of intangibles to the table,
as well as the mind-set to be a defensive stopper.
They keep the (+/-) stat for a reason;
for every two points he prevents, it becomes a (+2) in the above stat.
Also there is only one ball and four other guys to shoot it.
Besides;
James may not be a pure shooter buit can score in other ways:
off rebs, his strength / cuts & finishes, another strength,
getting out & running / etc.
Ken Strickland
October 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
DOC-I’m not too old to change, just too doggone stubborn, heh, heh.
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
7:21 pm
Mike Fratello and Brevin Knight of NBA TV basically predicted that the Hawks would NOT make the playoffs this season. Mike Fratello also stated that if the Hawks DID MAKE the playoffs this season, LD should be named COY [Coach of the Year]. You bloggers are delusional if you think the Hawks are a “lock” for the 5th, 6th or 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. If you think that is the case, then I got a “Bridge-to-Nowhere” to sell ya that I just “picked up” from Gov. [Sarah] Palin. And y’all thought “Danny Boy” [Dan Ferry] was “doin’ his thing” during the offseason with all those player movements. [smh]
ECF or Bust!
October 16th, 2012
7:22 pm
trading a big for a small is risky business. now we find out the small has bad wheels. not looking good at this moment. hope for the best.
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
7:28 pm
Is the link for the Hawks-Pacers game on “FirstRow Sports” in audio only?
http://thefirstrow.eu/watch/147077/1/watch-indiana-pacers-vs-atlanta-hawks.html
AG
October 16th, 2012
7:29 pm
the game was on direct tv.. all of a sudden it is blacked out???
paian
October 16th, 2012
7:30 pm
@high-sider
Maybe because most aren’t close-minded like yourself. You should learn to be more optimistic.
Ken Strickland
October 16th, 2012
7:30 pm
GRANDAD-I agree with you on James. While he might not be able to create his own shot, he could have the same ability to put himself in position to be the recipient of a lot of penetrate and dish opportunities from Teague, Harris and Williams. Besides, when we need serious scoring from the 3, all we have to do is put Korver or Morrow at the 3.
When it comes to DEF, IT APPEARS James could be as good if not better than JJ. When it comes to rebounding and finishing strong at the rim, he’s definitely an upgrade over JJ. He’s certainly shown enough passing skills to make JJs loss much less of an issue in that dept. Shooting, scoring and ball handling are the only areas he’s lacking in comparison to JJ, and we have Harris, Williams, Korver, Morrow, and Jenkins to compensate for that.
This is going to be an exciting team and an exciting season.
AG
October 16th, 2012
7:31 pm
HS – yes I was a little confused about that. The Hawks will make the playoffs. I hope you selling that bridge pretty cheap
ag
October 16th, 2012
7:37 pm
Grandad, if James is a good finisher, I am okay with that. I just don’t want teams to do James like they would do Marvin – put their worst defender on him – or just don’t check him at all. I have never seen him play, so all I am going off of is the box scores and bloggers. I will see him Thursday.
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
7:39 pm
LD should begin the regular season with the following starting lineup:
G – J. Teague
G – L. Williams
G – D. Harris
F – J. Smith
C – A. Horford
On defense, the Hawks should deploy [a] 1-2-2 zone with the above [proposed] lineup. [LOL]
cp
October 16th, 2012
7:39 pm
Im watching the game on direct tv. The first quarter just ended. I like Lou but its clear dude is not a pg. James and Tolliver look like they will get the last two spots. James is a very good rebounder and a lot better passer than I thought. Mike Scott is a solid rebounder but it looks like he will have trouble finishing around the rim against length. Teague had some nice passes in the first. Devin looks fast and was really pushing the rock. Devin and Lou will get to the line a lot this year. Ill be back after the second quarter
steven a smith
October 16th, 2012
7:40 pm
“Anyone who thinks that we currently have an “NBA READY SMALL FORWARD” on our roster is simply put IDIOTIC. Tolliver will be a suitable back-up at best!!!
steven a smith
October 16th, 2012
7:47 pm
Also, i can see Larry Drew starting Damion James at the “3″. Drew and anyone who projects such a line-up is absolutely “MORONIC”. Having said that, i do believe that this is Drews last season in “The ATL”
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
7:47 pm
I was trying to catch the “new-look” Brooklyn Nets on NBA TV but none of the projected [regular season] starters are starting.
cp
October 16th, 2012
7:47 pm
Teague’s defensive effort tonight looks much better. He is really getting after the ballhandler. I like what im seeing from Harris so far too. The Hawks are not shooting well at all but they are getting to the line and causing turnovers.
Jae Evolution
October 16th, 2012
7:47 pm
Jeff Teague is everywhere right now, forcing turnovers and hounding Ben as soon as he crosses halfcourt.
prison mike
October 16th, 2012
7:51 pm
I’m already prepared for 4-13 shooting nights for Lou as long as he gets to the free throw line it’s cool.
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
7:51 pm
Poll:
In the spirit of election season, who’s [the] better [scrub]? [Johan] Petro vs. [Kwame] Brown
Jae Evolution
October 16th, 2012
7:52 pm
Haha damn Jeff Teague playing crazy aggressive right now.
ntrigue
October 16th, 2012
7:56 pm
Anybody know where I can watch the game at?
cp
October 16th, 2012
7:59 pm
I like Zaza but man he always finds a way to blow a great pass. Petro is so bad that LD is going with Ivan against Hibbert. Petro hasnt seen the court.
paian
October 16th, 2012
8:03 pm
oh god someone tell the lunatic to stop with the brackets he over uses them
ag
October 16th, 2012
8:04 pm
cp .. what channel, 755 is not working
ag
October 16th, 2012
8:10 pm
Pick n roll, WIlliams to Pachulla, looks like he would score easily before his shot was blocked by Hibbert…. I certainly am not surprised!
cp
October 16th, 2012
8:21 pm
755 on direct tv. You might have to be a subscriber though, I have no idea
High-sider
October 16th, 2012
8:21 pm
@paian
paian
October 16th, 2012
8:03 pm
oh god someone tell the lunatic to stop with the brackets he over uses them
—————————————————————————————————-
Why you [paian] gettin’ funky [on me]?!?!?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJJUyr33HC8
prison mike
October 16th, 2012
8:22 pm
Don’t see ‘Ferry offering zsa zsa a contract this summer, we’ll see.
Big Ray
October 16th, 2012
8:32 pm
stephen a. smith ,
Coach Mike Fratello of NBA-TV suggested if he were head coach of the Atlanta Hawks, he would start Zsa Zsa Pachulia at the “5″ and Al Horford at the “4″. However, he does not think that Josh Smith is a natural “3″
Therein lies the dilemma. You absolutely have to have your best guys on the floor. Zaza is, as grandad asserted, undeniably a Center and nothing else.
Of course, the problem with starting him at Center is you then have who/what at backup Center? Ivan Johnson? Tough and mean, and certainly able to outplay his height, but he’s also our backup PF. So unless Tolliver or Mike Scott is a viable backup at the 4, we have Ivan pulling double duty, and unless he’s on the floor at all times with either Josh or Al, he’s in there by himself.
The other issue is foul trouble and the “2 foul rule” that LD likes to employ. But then, a lot of times have that issue (foul trouble, and/or the effects that it can have, depending on coaching and credible depth).
And of course, there is the issue of Josh Smith actually being a SF. It’s definitely an issue offensively because it causes him to hang around the perimeter a lot more than he really should and may also have him starting with the ball further away from the basket. Despite the fact that Smith’s handles have improved, it’s his matchup against bigger/slower PFs that gives him an advantage against some opponents when driving to the basket. Put him up against the quicker SF types and he’ll get stripped a lot, especially with other Guards nearby.
The trick to this sort of lineup with Josh at the 3 is to get him into position where he can either post up the smaller SFs he might face, or get him matched up against PFs. Of course, that requires convincing him to post up….and there I digress.
I’m not sure we will see Josh and Al on the same team after this season. And this sort of issue is exactly one reason why we may not. But we’ll see.
Big Ray
October 16th, 2012
8:38 pm
As for Larry Drew, I simply do NOT see how he stays beyond this season.
We need a real NBA head coach, and considering what we’ve heard and seen from Danny Ferry, I can’t see him not going out and getting one.
cp
October 16th, 2012
8:39 pm
Scott has absolutely no athleticism.
Melvin
October 16th, 2012
8:42 pm
Watching Celtics/Nets. Can’t help but think that Blatche and Childress would’ve been great min vet pickups for the Hawks.
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
8:43 pm
Big Ray, my guess is that Ferry will take a crack at prying Mike Budenholzer from Popovich’s side next year. And I’m sure that he has a few other guys on his wish list. Some of it could be based on the roster… some coaches would be better with one type of roster vs. another. But yeah, this will surely be LD’s last season with the Hawks. And I for one, have no issue with him staying for the full ‘12-13 season. Red Auerbach isn’t getting this team into the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
8:46 pm
Melvin, Blatche looked good in the few minutes I watched.
Melvin
October 16th, 2012
8:51 pm
Astro,
He look to be revived and in great shape. I always knew he had the skills, just needed to get his mental capacity together….
cp
October 16th, 2012
8:53 pm
Jenkins might turn out to be a fine player but I think Perry Jones should have been the pick. He would have been a better fit
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
I see that Hibbert has 6 blocks through 3 quarters. Pacers have 13 overall.
cp
October 16th, 2012
8:54 pm
@Melvin I was thinking the same thing after watching him play against the Wizards the other night.
paian
October 16th, 2012
9:00 pm
i noticed we have 10 off reb, alot of hustlers out there
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
9:03 pm
So Josh Childress is wearing #2 and Joe is #7? That’s different.
cp
October 16th, 2012
9:08 pm
I really like what I see from James. Dude gets to the glass
cp
October 16th, 2012
9:16 pm
Teague has set up his teammates well tonight. Tolliver has had a nice game too.
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
9:34 pm
Pacers have a lot of TOs due to a bunch of steals from the Hawks. That would suggest a good use of their speed on defense. We may see more games like this, other team swats our shots while we steal their passes.
Astro Joe
October 16th, 2012
9:35 pm
Final box score.
http://www.nba.com/games/20121016/ATLIND/gameinfo.html?ls=gt2hp0011200053#nbaGIboxscore