Josh Harrellson Working Out For Heat

[Mars]

Here's the remainder of Haberstroh's blurb on Jorts...

"Jorts" can play. But who will he play for? In a copycat league that just watched the small-ball and floor-spacing Miami Heat win the title, there should be a market for Harrellson's services. After all, 6-foot-10 big men who can shoot 3s and grab boards don't grow on trees. Among players who played 500 minutes last season, only Harrellson, Kevin Love and Ersan Ilyasova averaged at least nine rebounds and a 3-pointer every 36 minutes. Not bad company.

[DefenseWins]

Is his contracts one of those "viable to be traded/waived before the deadline".

Surprised he did sign. Don't expect a lot from him though.

[Pimpwerx]

You know, seeing Haberstroh projecting that from a month ago leaves me with much more confidence on Jorts. Tom is good at analyzing stats, and if he sees some potential in Jorts based on that, then I'm willing to give the kid a chance. How cool would it be if we managed to bag us a steal with the last roster spot? Thing is, it might only be for a season, since teams with cap space could always steal him next offseason. Anyway, I just hope he turns out to be good. We need depth at center. PEACE.

[Mars]

Why Josh Harrellson makes sense for Miami

By Tom Haberstroh | ESPN.com
Sep 18 11:27 AM ET

If Pat Riley asked the basketball gods to construct a flier for the Heat to sign for training camp, that flier would probably play a lot like former Knicks center Josh Harrellson.

On Monday night, the Heat announced that they signed Harrellson to what's believed to be a nonguaranteed deal and will be bringing him to training camp along with 17 others. There's a chance that Harrellson doesn't make the regular season roster when the Heat are forced to trim down to 15 players next month. The 23-year-old will be presumably battling with invitees Mickell Gladness, Terrel Harris, Dexter Pittman and Garrett Temple for two spots on the team.

But judging from what Harrellson's done in the league so far, the Heat inking Harrellson to a non-binding deal makes all the sense in the world, especially for what Erik Spoelstra is setting out to do this upcoming season...

Link

[SmushedPennies]

Just read that. Great stuff. Tom is clearly huge on Jorts, and I value Hab's opinion as much as just about any writer.

We're so used to sub-par centers here since the SO-Zo era ended: Magloire, Joel, Jermaine O'Neal, Dampier, Z, Turiaf, etc., I think a guy who actually fits and can be decent will really surprise us and become a fan favorite.

[EscapoTHB]

Josh Harrelson is a player to add to a roster after the fact; this means a team has a good starting center and a good backup, therefore he is a limited but serviceable player. The Heat need a starting center who can bring a strong low post game block shots and dominate.

Why do we need a center with a strong low post game?

We've got that Lebron dude we run into the post, and that seems to have worked really well. I can't imagine any center in the league even Howard, being more effective than lebron from the elbow down.

We need a center like Bosh who stretches the floor, gets offensive rebounds, and can rotate quickly on defense.

IMO KG is the only real upgrade at center for us out there. but he's so old that it's smarter just to keep developing Bosh and try to get him close to KG's level defensively.

If we had had KG the last two years instead of Bosh...it would have been over. To have that kind of nastiness and defensive rotating ability with Lebron and Wade would have been SERIOUS.

[SmushedPennies]

Yeah if you think we need a starting center with a "strong" low post game, you were in a coma last season. Dwyane and LeBron are our guys on the block. We'd rather have a C who can post up at times, but is just as comfortable, if not more, hitting jumpers and having a face up game. Why would we waste time in precious possessions posting up a crappy C when we can run our offense through 3 perennial all-star scoring machines? Makes no sense. We want guys who give them room to operate where they're at their best (driving and in the post), not clogging the lane posting up. Teams are lucky to have one player who is as efficient and effective in the post as our stars, we have 3.

Remember, a classic C like Pittman needs to play near the hoop, and that's not just adding his big body in the lane, but his defender's big body too. That plays into the D's hands.

Regarding Bosh's D, its getting better and better. He was even blocking shots in the playoffs. I would think at least Howard would be an upgrade over Chris...after that though, I'd take him over almost everyone.

[Sc0pe92]

Can someone explain how he got the nick name Jorts. I dont know much about him

[LoneWanderer]

^^^

Harrellson, who goes by the name of "Jorts" for his taste in jean shorts, achieved near cult status in New York last season.

from:
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/miamiheat/post/_/id/15235/why-josh-harrellson-makes-sense-for-miami

[SmushedPennies]

I believe he showed up at Kentucky his freshmen year wearing jean shorts, and the team ragged on him and nicknamed him Jorts.

[twix2500]

Wait whats wrong with wearing jean shorts?? How many options do we have? LOL

[This IsMy House]

Wait whats wrong with wearing jean shorts?? How many options do we have? LOL

Theres a lot wrong with it , unless youre on farm or from Gainesville

[twix2500]

LOL just for that im wearing my Sean John jean shorts to publix so my farm ass can get some milk lol

[caliban]

Here's some team stats from last reg-season for J. Harrellson's on/off court Net impact. Must say I'm surprised.

Player, Min, Overall Rtg, Off Rtg, Def Rtg

Harrellson, 509, 7.88*, -0.64, -8.52*

* First ranked on the Knicks roster in both overall- and defensive net rating; in a team context it might be possible that the talk of Jorts 3-point shooting and offensive rebounding is somewhat overstated and the defensive impact neglected.

http://basketballvalue.com/teamplayers. ... C&team=NYK

[Pimpwerx]

Wait whats wrong with wearing jean shorts?? How many options do we have? LOL

Theres a lot wrong with it , unless youre on farm or from Gainesville

It's so hot down here, I don't hate on jorts. I don't agree with tight or short jorts, but regular-length jorts are fine. They're durable, yet comfortable. Yes...I wear jorts too, so I'm feeling a little self-conscious right now. PEACE.

[SmushedPennies]

Interesting numbers there caliban. I don't put much value into net stats though.

[Keshavarzi]

His deal is non-guaranteed so it looks like it's between him, gladness, and varnado for a roster spot. I think he makes it over them though or pittman gets waived

[ssenbonzakura]

Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
With his Abe Lincoln beard in strong form, Josh Harrellson just nailed 15 threes in a row. #trainingcampanalytics