Jazz Spotlight, Week 1: Devin Harris

[Xsy]

Not gonna lie, this forum is boring. Super boring. The worst part is, there's not much we can even do about it.

I'm sure you've all faced the sad reality that there's really nothing new left to talk about. So I figured, hey, why not just talk about all the crap we've already talked about. Because what else is there to do?

Each week, I'm going to make a topic about one of the Jazz players on next season's roster. We can all discuss how much we love/hate that particular player, post our favorite videos, and talk about how we think they'll fit into next season's new new-look Jazz.

This week, we'll start with one of our oldest players, yet newest additions.



It sucks losing arguably the best point guard in the NBA. But hey, we're past that already. Devin Harris is no Deron Williams, but he's still one of the most skilled point guards in the NBA. The reason a lot of Jazz fans aren't fond of him, though, is because he isn't exactly a Jazz point guard. The guy likes to shoot first, and he isn't exactly a play maker. But the guy hasn't even played here for a whole season yet, so who knows whether or not this old dog can learn new tricks. He's not even in the 'actually old' category yet.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMWrpFrOz0[/youtube]

At the end of the day, the guy isn't the future of this franchise-- but he's a very decent guy to step in and fill Deron's shoes while KOC and crew hunt for the last piece of the future five.

So let's talk, RealGM. What do you think Harris has in store for this franchise?

[Jazz_Man_86]

I really like Harris. Don't agree that he shoot first guard. He can make people better and does it.
Yes He is not pass first PG. He's penetrations creating a lot of chances for other guys.
Really wanna see him playing full season with the Jazz.
The thing that i don't like right now. Is that seems to me that Devin not really happy here, i mean can't see at his eyes that the Utah is the place where he wanna be.

[Jazz_Man_86]

p.s thanks for new food for mind)

[BarneyGumble]

I agree w/ Jazz Man 86. Not sure Devin Harris' heart is with the Jazz. If we can get him motivated, I see no reason why he can't play well for us. He's fast and he's in the top half of starting point guards in the league...

[idajazz]

Would you want to come in here and try and fill the shoes that were left?
Not just Derons, Stocktons as well.
I think he will be fine if people let him be himself, and the coaching staff develops a strategy to play to his strengths.
If the right point guard comes along, I hope the front office gets it done, But I'm perfectly happy with Devin filling the gap.

[CarrKeefe]

What is with that picture? His arm and jersey are deformed. Weird.

I see no reason to think that Devin Harris' heart is not with the Jazz. What evidence is there to even suggest that? What evidence is there to show he's not happy here? He's said all the right things through the media and played well with the Jazz last year given the circumstances. He's a top notch PG, he's why the Jazz didn't take a PG in the draft, and he's one of the most underrated PG's in the league. Personally, I think the Jazz surprise people next year and hover around that 7/8 seed in the West and Harris makes the All-Star team on a coaches vote because of it.

[carrottop12]

He's a good player and a more than competent pg to win a chip with. I hope he continues to improve in our system and becomes the savvy vet who knows how to get the most out of everyone around him. He's certainly going to have some options.

[Jazzfan12]

I really don't like him, he's a blackhole, can't make shots from the field, is always hurt, and makes no defensive contributions.

[Reckless]

Since Kirilenko is gone he is now our worst contract on the jazz

Getting rid of him won't be easy

2nd worst i forgut about nokur

[HolyToledo]

His is an average but over-rated PG who would be best as a 3rd guard on a championship contender ala Jason Terry. I can live with him at PG for now but wouldnt mind if we traded him for a young pass first PG. A team can make the playoffs with him at PG, but in a league where PG has become the most important position, he is no where good enough to lead a team to the championship.

[schneiderjazz]

How the hell has PG become the most important position? Derek Fisher? Jason Kidd? Mike Bibby? All 3 over the hill and also the starting PGs of some of the best teams in the league. Tony Parker or Billups were never pass first PGs.
People really overrate the PG position, especially a pass first PG IMO. Devin Harris can be a starting PG in a championship caliber team. He was one when he played for the Mavs and he did a pretty good job. You don't want him to be your first option, but I wouldn't mind at all having him as a savvy vet as Bat suggested. If we have wings who can create, we don't need a pass first PG. Hayward did a great job doing it at the end of the year and from what I hear Burks can create some as well.

[CarrKeefe]

His is an average but over-rated PG who would be best as a 3rd guard on a championship contender ala Jason Terry.

Either you are delusional or exaggerate to the extreme. You do know Devin started for Mavericks team 4-5 years ago that was a championship contender right?

I can live with him at PG for now but wouldnt mind if we traded him for a young pass first PG. A team can make the playoffs with him at PG, but in a league where PG has become the most important position,

You're joking right? So the Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat's success have been largely because of Fisher, Kidd, and Bibby?

He is no where good enough to lead a team to the championship

He will never be asked to "lead a team to the championship", but he's proven he can be a starting PG on a team that's championship caliber.



....

[red4hf]

I like Harris, I don't think he's he long-term solution at PG, but he's not a bad placeholder......

I love the fact that he'll push the ball...... He'll penetrate and create opportunities for both Favors and Jefferson.......

And watching him run the break with Burks and Hayward (and Evans) is going to be awesome......

[The59Sound]

I'm happy with Devin. He's clearly not as talented as Deron at any aspect of the game (maybe a tad better at defense, but that's debatable), but he's more than capable. I actually liked our movement better post-trade, as I felt like the ball ended up in Hayward's and Kirilenko's hands more, allowing them to make plays.

Devin is easily good enough to be the starting PG on a championship team, as others have demonstrated with the Fisher/Kidd/Bibby point. He's intelligent, has great quickness and handles, and seems to be a very good locker room guy. Glad to have him.

[ColdBlue]

I remember well the days of Milt and Keith... I'm stoked to have this caliber of PG on our team right now. I think he could be a valuable piece of a young team proving they can play in this league.

I think he needs to improve the PnR game a bit, his outside shot as well. He does have a killer drive and when he finds his groove I think most of you all will be liking him more.

[StocktonShorts]

And watching him run the break with Burks and Hayward (and Evans) is going to be awesome......

And it'll be even better if he ever passes to the guys running the break with him.

[The59Sound]

And watching him run the break with Burks and Hayward (and Evans) is going to be awesome......

And it'll be even better if he ever passes to the guys running the break with him.

I think that issue's overstated. When guys are consistently running with him, he's proven to be a willing passer to my eyes. With all our guys having a full training camp under their belts and more hard-working young blood getting consistent minutes, I think everyone will be reasonably happy with what they see on the break next season.

[HolyToledo]

How the hell has PG become the most important position? Derek Fisher? Jason Kidd? Mike Bibby? All 3 over the hill and also the starting PGs of some of the best teams in the league. Tony Parker or Billups were never pass first PGs.
People really overrate the PG position, especially a pass first PG IMO. Devin Harris can be a starting PG in a championship caliber team. He was one when he played for the Mavs and he did a pretty good job. You don't want him to be your first option, but I wouldn't mind at all having him as a savvy vet as Bat suggested. If we have wings who can create, we don't need a pass first PG. Hayward did a great job doing it at the end of the year and from what I hear Burks can create some as well.

PG (is a lable) but when I say PG I refer to the guy thats handling the ball the most during the game especially late in the 4th quarter. The "PG" or maybe better word "ball handler" for the Lakers is Kobe Bryant not Derek Fisher. Same is true for the other guys you mentioned above. In other words, the decision maker is now a guy ( a guard) that breaks down the defense and decides if hes scoring or passing. In the olden days, teams passed the ball around and the PG was simply the guy that took the ball up the court and initiated the offense.

[HolyToledo]

His is an average but over-rated PG who would be best as a 3rd guard on a championship contender ala Jason Terry.

Either you are delusional or exaggerate to the extreme. You do know Devin started for Mavericks team 4-5 years ago that was a championship contender right?

I can live with him at PG for now but wouldnt mind if we traded him for a young pass first PG. A team can make the playoffs with him at PG, but in a league where PG has become the most important position,

You're joking right? So the Lakers, Mavericks, and Heat's success have been largely because of Fisher, Kidd, and Bibby?

He is no where good enough to lead a team to the championship

He will never be asked to "lead a team to the championship", but he's proven he can be a starting PG on a team that's championship caliber.



....

If the Jazz are going to run the same offense they have run the past few years, the offense is lead by there true PG Harris, but he will not lead us to the promised land. If we change to where Hayward starts the offense, I would be much happier because he has handles and is a willing passer. Hopefully, Corbin trusts Hayward enough to be the guy! Once again when I say PG (im referring to the primary ball handler and Fisher and Bibby are not their primary ball handlers but on Utah Harris is the current primary ball handler. Unfortunately, Harris is not a willing passer nor a good passer.

[carrottop12]

How the hell has PG become the most important position? Derek Fisher? Jason Kidd? Mike Bibby? All 3 over the hill and also the starting PGs of some of the best teams in the league. Tony Parker or Billups were never pass first PGs.
People really overrate the PG position, especially a pass first PG IMO. Devin Harris can be a starting PG in a championship caliber team. He was one when he played for the Mavs and he did a pretty good job. You don't want him to be your first option, but I wouldn't mind at all having him as a savvy vet as Bat suggested. If we have wings who can create, we don't need a pass first PG. Hayward did a great job doing it at the end of the year and from what I hear Burks can create some as well.

PG (is a lable) but when I say PG I refer to the guy thats handling the ball the most during the game especially late in the 4th quarter. The "PG" or maybe better word "ball handler" for the Lakers is Kobe Bryant not Derek Fisher. Same is true for the other guys you mentioned above. In other words, the decision maker is now a guy ( a guard) that breaks down the defense and decides if hes scoring or passing. In the olden days, teams passed the ball around and the PG was simply the guy that took the ball up the court and initiated the offense.

I'm confused, is dirk the best pg in the league now or what?