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http://www.sbnation.com/2010/2/23/13233 ... tal-league

Sources close to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers have reported that the Washington Wizards will call-up former Houston Rocket Mike Harris, presumably to fill the void left by Josh Howard, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Harris, a 6-foot-6, 235 pound combo-forward out of Rice, is averaging 26.3 points and 9.8 rebounds while shooting 58% from the field for the Vipers.

I know nothing about the guy but his numbers are really impressive.

Highlights from 2 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ifQp5V-epo

Isn't he ridiculously athletic?

might have jumped the gun a bit...

Mike Lee just tweeted the following:

"MrMichaelLee

According to sources, Wiz will look into signing Michael Harris from the NBADL to replace Josh Howard. Morris Almond also being considered."

Maybe Morris Almond too.

http://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/9540978685

CCJ's probably going crazy over there.

Short stocky PF - had very efficient and productive stats at Rice http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... imi01.html and in limited minutes with Houston, he had good stats, averaging 14 and 12 per 36 minutes. He appears to be another rebounder.

Pradamaster wrote:Maybe Morris Almond too.

http://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/9540978685

CCJ's probably going crazy over there.

He'll bring new meaning to the name Almond Joy.

A 2008 Summer League evaluation of Mike Harris from DX:

Harris earns mention here for having one of the most efficient performances we’ve seen this Summer League. He has great athleticism and strength, and while he did most of his damage inside, he stepped out a knocked down a couple a deep jumpers. Harris was dominant when he got the ball with room to operate, his leaping ability makes him a very good finisher, and he’s almost impossible to stop when he has a head of steam. He showed great touch at the rim, and isn’t afraid of contact. His aggressive nature earned him a ton of rebounds and he effectively compensated for the absence of Joey Dorsey. Harris is a great combo forward, and showed today that he can do a lot of things well.

A little Mike Harris video if you're interested. Just scroll down a bit.

Pradamaster wrote:Maybe Morris Almond too.

http://twitter.com/MrMichaelLee/status/9540978685

CCJ's probably going crazy over there.

SHyt, man. What on earth is going on with EG.

The man has SEEN THE LIGHT!

This dude Harris can ball.

He's another high energy, two-way guy. Starting to sound like a theme.

"Somebody sign that man to max contract!"

Believe it or not, I'd come to the conclusion based on things like efficiency and team play that Mike Harris, Reggie Williams, and Curtis Stinson probably deserve to be called up before Morris Almond.

Almond's a scorer but at times a selfish one. He's not looking to pass and when he does he turns it over a lot. Now the man can score at the line like nobody else in the D League, and can just score with the best of them. However, Harris and Williams are far more efficient scorers than Almond.

Harris (another Rice grad along with Almond IIRC) has been playing well abroad and deserving a shot in the NBA a while now.

On that note, I think there are a lot of bangers in the draft that will be good pros (Patterson and Robinson among them). However, a surer route could be to take a look at a deserving Richard Hendrix if he comes back over from Europe next fall. He's excelled there and in the D-League and is exactly what the Wizards could use as a banger.

Harris should do well. So, too, IMO would any of the guys like Stinson, Williams, or Almond. As bad as I spoke of Almond, I could still see him dropping 25-30 in NBA games--routinely.

Funny, I was just looking at Harris this morning, he ranks among the highest ranking NCAA SFs in Win Score/40 in the DX dbase.

http://tinyurl.com/sfwin40alltime

Funny that he and Mo'Money are both from Rice.

Well somebody gives a hoot for these Rice Owls. Is Mike Wilks next? He did play for the Wiz a few seasons ago on a 10 day contract.

Bring them both up. And/or Stinson.

D-League 'em to death, Ernie.

Honestly, the draft is so overrated. These guys were NCAA leaders and they haven't gotten worse over the years. They can be signed very cheaply. They're going to be GRATEFUL to be in the league.

Honestly, Harris could be better than Thornton or Howard if numbers are any indication.

Look around the league at GS. Anthony Tolliver wasn't a D-League leader, yet he's more than holding his own in the NBA. Morrow wasn't drafted. Azubuike. Sessions. Sundiata "15 minutes of fame" Gaines. All were D-Leaguers who have more than held their own.

I feel like Ernie and others are about to catch on to something that so far only Nellie seems to. A lot of guys can ball.

I hope this signing happens, I'm sure you guys are sick of me voicing my frustrations that we haven't called anybody up. Next I want to see an open audition for a shooting guard and point guard.

Mike Harris? Morris Almond? Only dogs will hear the squeals of delight from some of our members.

IDK guys. From that vid he almost looks like a 6'6 guy who plays like a PF. Howard was the perfect fit because unlike Caron, he coud put the ball on the floor with speed & slash. Thats why he was also the perfect compliment to Thorton. We havent had a player like that in a long time. Harris may can do that but from that vid I just see him dunking and shooting a J. We already have Thorton for that. He cant hurt but I wanted someone who can dribble & slash. I think part of it is that EG & Flip have established a tone of what kind of players they want and thats guys who are tough, athletic, & physical so I think those are the kind of guys they are going to sign even more than a guy they may really need. The probably figure if he plays hard & hustles then it will workout for us just like the others have

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:Bring them both up. And/or Stinson.

D-League 'em to death, Ernie.

Honestly, the draft is so overrated. These guys were NCAA leaders and they haven't gotten worse over the years. They can be signed very cheaply. They're going to be GRATEFUL to be in the league.

Honestly, Harris could be better than Thornton or Howard if numbers are any indication.

Look around the league at GS. Anthony Tolliver wasn't a D-League leader, yet he's more than holding his own in the NBA. Morrow wasn't drafted. Azubuike. Sessions. Sundiata "15 minutes of fame" Gaines. All were D-Leaguers who have more than held their own.

I feel like Ernie and others are about to catch on to something that so far only Nellie seems to. A lot of guys can ball.

I agree with this 100%. Why not try and find some d-league gems? The season is over, and an open tryout should be the way to go.