While y'all focusing on his regression on offense, I'm over here focusing on one thing
Harris has developed a reputation as a solid defender in recent seasons, but the 25-year-old guard has reached a new level to begin the 2019-20 campaign. Although Harris’ usage on offensive has fallen to 15.6 percent (the lowest of his career), Harris continues to produce for Denver through his impressive defense.
The former 19th-overall pick in the 2014 draft has used his quick hands, footwork and tenacity to cause turnovers and contest shots at a high level this season. As a result, Harris is posting career-highs in defensive box plus-minus (+1.2) and defensive rating (104), while Denver’s defense is 2.6 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the floor this season.
That on-court defensive improvement is mainly a result of Harris’ impact on opponent turnovers and offensive rebounding. When Harris has been on the court this season, opponent turnover percentage increases by 3.1 percent (which ranks in the 92nd percentile), while opponent offensive rebound percentage decreases by 6.2 percent (which is in the 97th percentile).
Furthermore, opponents are less effective in transition when Harris is on the floor this season, which has been the case in each of the past two seasons.
As a result, it is no surprise to see teams try and run Harris through multiple screens to get him switched off of their lead guards.
Harris has also worked to fight through screens and contest as many shots as possible this season, which has helped him hold some of the elite offensive players in the league to off-nights.
In addition to holding Holiday to 25 percent shooting this season, Harris has held Devin Booker (2 of 8 from the field, three turnovers), Damian Lillard (2 of 7 from the field) and Luka Doncic (0 of 4 shooting, two turnovers) in check when he directly defended them.
“That man right there,” Jamal Murray said following Denver’s win over the Washington Wizards. “He has done a great job — an amazing job. Every good player that comes in here or every star player that comes in here, he does a great job of just taking away what they do best.”
Although Harris won’t show up on many highlight reels with impressive steals and blocks this season, he has quietly become one of the better perimeter defenders in the league and is one of the driving forces behind the league’s top-ranked defense.
There will surely be plenty of competition for the All-Defensive First Team this season that may keep Harris off that list, but head coach Michael Malone and the Nuggets will surely be happy with Harris’ contributions if he continues defending at this level.
We got offensive firepower on the way already
