NBA Thread

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

by Brooks Bellman

After the craziness of the draft and the befuddling strategy applied by James Jones and the Phoenix Suns, some news came out Friday morning that provided more hope for the team’s future.

Jared Harper, the ex-Auburn point guard signed on to play Summer League with the Phoenix Suns before deciding what his future holds.’

This seems to be a perfect fit as the Suns lack a point guard, with Elie Okobo being the only true point currently on the roster.

In the immediate future, the Suns are planning to somehow land a PG in free agency to start ahead of Ty Jerome, the guard that was selected out of Virginia who they traded trade with the Celtics for who has point abilities, although that isn’t his natural fit.

Jared Harper spent three seasons at Auburn honing his point guard skills, but while undersized, I believe he provides hope as a long-shot option for Phoenix at point guard in the future.

Many will question that perspective because of his size, which is a fair, but before digging deeper, allow me to share my personal contact with the young man.

I spent four years at Auburn, working as a Manager for the basketball team all four years.

In March of my Sophomore year (2014), Bruce Pearl was hired as Head Coach and he brought in an entirely new staff. As my junior year progressed one of Bruce’s assistants, Todd Golden, current Head Coach of the University of San Francisco, started mentioning this guard he was recruiting who would be a program changer if he committed.

I was personally skeptical to say the least as two seasons of Auburn basketball filled with losses had left me extremely jaded. But Coach Golden talked about this kid with the utmost praise which brought me hope.

It was later that Coach Golden would reveal Harper as the kid he was raving about and after Harper came on a visit and I saw his size, I maintained my doubts despite Harper’s Youtube highlights revealing promise.

Coach Golden though continued to pump him up to me and eventually, Harper signed with Auburn.

I graduated in May 2016 before Harper would arrive on campus for his freshman season (2016-17), but stayed close with many people at Auburn including coaches and managers.

I reached out to them and only received back glowing recommendations about the young potential star. Specifically, the praise I received from Thomas Northcutt, a Manager I am close friends with who works as a Graphic Design Assistant for Rutgers, and who’s praise for Jared was lavish.

Thomas said Jared was “always in the gym, [always] going 100%,” Jared “bought into the process” and “studied film and the playbook constantly.” He continued that Jared’s work ethic, commitment, and basketball IQ was so high that by the end of his second season, Bruce trusted Jared to call plays and manage the offense.

The piece of information I cared most about, however, was Thomas mentioning the Jared treated everyone with respect – especially managers.

I believe you can learn a ton about a person based on how they treat those “below” them and Thomas being adamant that Jared went out of his way to treat the managers well is a great sign to me.

Jared’s work ethic produced results, he started 104 of 106 games while at Auburn, and was a key leader along with Chuma Okeke, who was drafted 16th by the Orlando Magic, and Bryce Brown, who is set to play for the Kings in Summer League, as part of Auburn’s Final Four run this season.

In the end, it seems Coach Golden was right on the money with the assertion that Jared would be a program changer, as Auburn looks to set up for long-term success.

It is easy to look at that and respond that while Jared has a great story, he remains undersized and many players with great stories don’t make it in the league.

This is where I bring some numbers in to show why I believe in Jared so much.

Jared finished his junior season averaging 15.3 points and 5.8 assists, adding 1 steal and shooting 37% from 3 on nearly 7 attempts per game. Jared improved in every statistical category year over year and I would expect he will continue to consistently improve.

Jared also posted an assist rate of 32% ranking in the top-50 in the country and drew nearly 5 fouls a game while shooting 83% from the line.

He was also the steady hand that controlled Auburn’s offense and corralled the craziness when the run and game style got away from the team.

Still, there are legitimate questions about Harper’s size. At just 5’11 in shoes weighing only 169 lbs, his slight frame hampered his finishing ability.

However, where Harper should inspire is that the rest of his measurables are not just impressive – but elite.

Harper’s wingspan is 6’5.5 which is a +6.5 inches to his height. His hand width is 9.5 inches which are in the top 1/4 of all measured athletes. His vertical both standing  (33.5) and max (40.5) rank in the top 86th percentile or higher and his lane agility (10.77 seconds) is in the 73rd percentile.

Jared has the length and athleticism to make up for his height issues at the next level. He makes highlight plays, he sparked many Auburn runs and ended many opponents runs with step-backs and deep pull-up 3s.

He can absolutely run a team effectively as well.

Harper is in the position of players like Fred VanVleet who although undrafted, has a chance to make a difference.

Jared Harper will have to overcome his size but based on his other measurables, stats, and history, he displayed at Auburn, he could be the guy to ignite the Phoenix Suns and make a huge difference.

[aujeff11 6,243]

Awesome article.

[aujeff11 6,243]

The NBA has banned the word “team owner” for being racially insensitive. Replacing it with the word “governor.”

 

These are sad times.

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[CR 2,442]

5 hours ago, GwillMac6 said:

 

Serious question GMac. For most NBA fans, is having a favorite player and following him becoming more important than having a favorite team? More than any sport I know it seems the big NBA stars have a following that seems larger than support of a particular team. I guess this would exclude fans in a particular NBA city who still support the home team. I grew up watching in the 80's and I could never imagine stars from that era playing for several teams as Lebron and it looks like Durant have done.

[GwillMac6 20,671]

7 minutes ago, CR said:

Serious question GMac. For most NBA fans, is having a favorite player and following him becoming more important than having a favorite team? More than any sport I know it seems the big NBA stars have a following that seems larger than support of a particular team. I guess this would exclude fans in a particular NBA city who still support the home team. I grew up watching in the 80's and I could never imagine stars from that era playing for several teams as Lebron and it looks like Durant have done.

I love this question! It is great and going to be so fun to tackle. FOR ME personally I love the star power and big brands behind the superstar NBA players and even just the regular star players in the NBA. It is just so cool and fun to me. Even though the NFL is a more popular sport there is so many more NBA players who have more star power than the NFL. The league philosophy shifted I would say with Jordan in the 90's. Up until that point the NBA 2 most marketable stars Magic and Bird had both retired by 92. The league was devoid of any big name huge stars at the time besides Jordan. So Stern decided to market (along with the help of Nike) the whole league around MJ because he really did not have any other choice. And ever since then NBA has been a players league. It is player driven and YES to finally answer your question I would say the majority of fans (myself included) have a favorite player and not a favorite team. Wherever LeBron has gone in his career I have followed. People do the same for KD and other top guys as well. HOPE THAT HELPED answer your question. I have no loyalty to any team in the NBA just a player. BUT that is just how I am with pro sports I am the same way with the NFL. I have a favorite player (and in NFL case players. Aaron Rodgers, CAM, Antonio Brown etc.) and not a favorite team. BUT NFL is absolutely a team league and not players.

Edited June 24, 2019 by GwillMac6

[CR 2,442]

11 minutes ago, GwillMac6 said:

I love this question! It is great and going to be so fun to tackle. FOR ME personally I love the star power and big brands behind the superstar NBA players and even just the regular star players in the NBA. It is just so cool and fun to me. Even though the NFL is a more popular sport there is so many more NBA players who have more star power than the NFL. The league philosophy shifted I would say with Jordan in the 90's. Up until that point the NBA 2 most marketable stars Magic and Bird had both retired by 92. The league was devoid of any big name huge stars at the time besides Jordan. So Stern decided to market (along with the help of Nike) the whole league around MJ because he really did not have any other choice. And ever since then NBA has been a players league. It is player driven and YES to finally answer your question I would say the majority of fans (myself included) have a favorite player and not a favorite team. Wherever LeBron has gone in his career I have followed. People do the same for KD and other top guys as well. HOPE THAT HELPED answer your question. I have no loyalty to any team in the NBA just a player. BUT that is just how I am with pro sports I am the same way with the NFL. I have a favorite player (and in NFL case players. Aaron Rodgers, CAM, Antonio Brown etc.) and not a favorite team. BUT NFL is absolutely a team league and not players.

Good stuff. It's been an adjustment for me to watch as the NBA has changed as you described, but it's hard to deny the massive interest in their player movement. I think a lot of younger fans identify with players more than teams where us older ones were more locked in on a particular team. I try not to be that old guy, there are really plusses and minuses to both eras.

[GwillMac6 20,671]

25 minutes ago, CR said:

Good stuff. It's been an adjustment for me to watch as the NBA has changed as you described, but it's hard to deny the massive interest in their player movement. I think a lot of younger fans identify with players more than teams where us older ones were more locked in on a particular team. I try not to be that old guy, there are really plusses and minuses to both eras.

Who was your team when you were growing up CR?!

[CR 2,442]

13 minutes ago, GwillMac6 said:

Who was your team when you were growing up CR?!

Celtics. Loved watching them vs the hated Lakers. Funny thing is how much I appreciated the Lakers after Bird and Magic both retired. Those teams were stacked during that time.

[GwillMac6 20,671]

22 minutes ago, CR said:

Celtics. Loved watching them vs the hated Lakers. Funny thing is how much I appreciated the Lakers after Bird and Magic both retired. Those teams were stacked during that time.

That is awesome! I loved the 30 for 30 on the Lakers and Celtics rivalry. Easily the best rivalry in NBA history.

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[GwillMac6 20,671]

 

[aujeff11 6,243]

Good for Giannis. Don’t know that he deserved it though. He flamed out in the playoffs just like Harden did.

Harden averaged 35 ppg and 7 assists a game for the season. First ever to rack up 2800 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists in a singular season. 

Steph Curry even thinks Harden deserves it. 

But whatevs.

[gr82be 14,423]

12 hours ago, CR said:

Good stuff. It's been an adjustment for me to watch as the NBA has changed as you described, but it's hard to deny the massive interest in their player movement. I think a lot of younger fans identify with players more than teams where us older ones were more locked in on a particular team. I try not to be that old guy, there are really plusses and minuses to both eras.

I agree 100%. I will also admit to being that old guy when it comes to the NBA. I have been a Celts fan since the early 70's so my loyalty is to the team. Same with the Braves and the Packers. I will still follow Auburn players of course but for instance I could never pull for Cam against the Packers but I want him to do well the rest of the time. 

[aujeff11 6,243]

7 minutes ago, gr82be said:

I agree 100%. I will also admit to being that old guy when it comes to the NBA. I have been a Celts fan since the early 70's so my loyalty is to the team. Same with the Braves and the Packers. I will still follow Auburn players of course but for instance I could never pull for Cam against the Packers but I want him to do well the rest of the time. 

I am <30 but still a team fan as well. Never bought a jersey for anybody. I have loved my Panthers since Dehlomme, Stephen Davis, Moose, Steve Smith, Proehl, Julius Peppers, Captain Munnerlyn, etc s  Have liked Dallas Mavs since Marquis, Dirk,  Josh Howard, Devin Harris, Dampeer, and the Jet were there. 

I do like Damian Lilliard and professed it way before @Tiger ever did, but you know, I only get so much satisfaction out of player achievement from someone out west.

[abw0004 10,111]

1 hour ago, aujeff11 said:

Good for Giannis. Don’t know that he deserved it though. He flamed out in the playoffs just like Harden did.

Harden averaged 35 ppg and 7 assists a game for the season. First ever to rack up 2800 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists in a singular season. 

Steph Curry even thinks Harden deserves it. 

But whatevs.

Floppin' points.  Also Harden doesn't do much defense.  Coming from a Harden fan.  Giannis fights for his points old school and plays defense.

[aujeff11 6,243]

6 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

Floppin' points.  Also Harden doesn't do much defense.  Coming from a Harden fan.  Giannis fights for his points old school and plays defense.

Top two in steals and deflections. 

And flopping points still led to 35 ppg. Which is valuable no matter how you spin it.

Edited June 25, 2019 by aujeff11

[abw0004 10,111]

15 minutes ago, aujeff11 said:

Top two in steals and deflections. 

And flopping points still led to 35 ppg. Which is valuable no matter how you spin it.

Fair enough.  Just to correct your stats though Harden is 4th in steals averaging 2.  But it is actually a negative with his league leading 5 turnovers per game (-3 overall).   For comparison Greek is also negative overall at -2.  Giannis is in the top three in blocks and rebounds.

It may be valuable, but only to an extent.  If you have to flop around to get your points that doesn't say much.  Literally all he does is jump into the defensive player and hook his arm up to get a foul.  This year he averaged almost 11 free throws per game, the most of his career and any other player in the NBA.  His approach is legal, so nothing wrong with it but that needs to change.

[aujeff11 6,243]

6 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

Just to correct your stats though Harden is 4th in steals averaging 2. 

My God, Sir Skip Bayless, led me astray:

 

7 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

It may be valuable, but only to an extent.  If you have to flop around to get your points that doesn't say much.  Literally all he does is jump into the defensive player and hook his arm up to get a foul. 

Bro it’s 35 points ppg. Those flop points don’t count less. 

 

7 minutes ago, abw0004 said:

His approach is legal, so nothing wrong with it but that needs to change.

Really can’t change it though. Defenders can’t just play loose because he’s still a dead eye shooter. 

[aujeff11 6,243]

And to be honest saying that Harden’s game  should be illegal undercuts his mastery of the game. He extrapolates maximum efficiency without breaking the rules. He puts opponents in foul trouble and the NBA has no defense for it because he’s still got a slick offensive game minus the flops. That’s ultra valuable. 

If anything his already stout shooting percentage would maybe get better if he didn’t have to concentrate on collecting fouls.