It's Devin's Team Again
by Net Income on Jun 16, 2010 6:35 AM EDT
in 2010 Coaching Search
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PrintA month ago, Devin Harris was out the door in New Jersey. The Nets were going to win the Draft Lottery and immediately start looking for suitors who'd want a tarnished All-Star. John Wall was the Nets' future. Best to give him the keys to the car.
Then, the ping pong balls sent the team in another direction and Harris' resurgence as the Nets' on-court leader was secured. Now, with his old mentor in charge as head coach, there's no doubt the Nets are banking a lot on the 27-year-old, whose stock as a point guard, as top NBA player and team leader suffered greatly during the 12-70 disaster.
Avery Johnson made it clear Harris is not what he can be, what he should be, even what he was. Getting him back there is a top priority for Johnson.
"We're going to get Devin back to playing the type of basketball that I know he's capable of playing," Johnson said. And Harris knows he is not exempt from Johnson's rules of accountability. Still, It's Devin's team again.
- Despite rocky past, Devin Harris sees Avery Johnson as dream coach, not nightmare - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Devin: No Avery feud in NJ - Julian Garcia - New York Daily News
- Johnson sure Nets can go from worst to first - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Avery, Harris Bonded For Nets - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- Devin Harris is on welcome wagon for Avery Johnson - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Johnson gives Nets reason to believe - Al Iannazzone - The Nets Insider
- Sullivan: Beating odds is Avery Johnson's specialty - Tara Sullivan - The Record
- Avery Johnson is exactly what New Jersey Nets need - Ian O'Connor - ESPN New York
- Craving a General, the Nets Hire Avery Johnson as Coach - Harvey Araton - New York Times
- Ex-Mav Harris on playing again for Avery Johnson: 'We'll probably still butt heads' but will be 'good fit' - Dallas Morning News
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We love Nets
In devin we trust :D
your the man son, dont break that ankle as much as last season so we can make a shot and return to be the 2003 Nets, but this time get further an win the crown !!!
Now before every chimes in with their "oh, devin sucks" statements let me say
Give him at least a chance to prove he can get back before you throw him out.
If Avery can get him focused on being a great defender that would be a huge plus in itself. But that would mean us losing our current number 2 scorer. Because you can’t give max effort on both ends of the court for 48 minutes. Spurts of a few minutes, yes, but during the course of the entire game, no. That’s why teams have guys like Kobe or LeBron guard the incredibly easy assignments so as to conserve their energy. And defensive stoppers are just stand around and wait for an open three guys.
The next thing Avery needs to get Devin to do is to focus on finishing inside instead of drawing the foul. That’s what Devin does. He goes inside and tries to get the contact and just flings the ball up because he’s expecting to get the call and isn’t concerned with finishing.
I do think he needs to develop a consistent jumper in order to have the option to not have to slash inside all the time. But at the same time, that’s what I want my players to keep driving to the hoop every single time. Didn’t we all malign Vince for settling for jumpshots? Devin’s a guy who plays without fear at least, not afraid to take it to the hoop and take contact. Didn’t we all love Iverson for that?
I like JB
I hope we bring him back. He’s got nice rebounding tools and is an OK post defender (as long as he isn’t matched up with much bigger opponents). He’s limited on O and his game has flaws, but he plays within his role. He’s a career Net, a nice team player and a solid citizen. I think he’s a good guy to keep around.
I feel for the guy
he must have the hugest mental block by now. i know how it feels. I go to the driving range and hit golf shots o problem, then go to the course with my buddy and shank everything. it gets in your head.
LOL…golf. Love it, hates me.
not "that" Jersey Shore...Point Pleasant, 10 refreshing miles north of Seaside.
by John at the Jersey Shore on Jun 16, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
And makes at least 600
or no thanks!! Its a joke, no one lets him finish because they know he can barely get one of two at the line… No Thanks, that is a liability!!
Its funny...
people think that all of a sudden Devin Harris is going to turn into a great player just because of a new coach. D Harris is a good player, but I think we’ve all seen enough of him to realize his game has deficiencies. He’s not a great shooter and not a great passer, and lacks focus which leads to poor defense at times. Maybe Avery will get Devin’s focus back and his defense will improve, but he’s not turning into an all world player.
Not too long ago
I wrote an article detailing behind every great point gaurd is a great coach. make no mistake, Avery Johnson can put devin harris on the top ten list in point guards. He has the talent, and Avery has the system.
Exactly right
The only things I would add are: his speed is bound to decline and he is not long enough to be a natural top flight defender like Rondo, Bryant or Sefolosha, which is why your point about lack of focus is exactly right.
when the whole unit is operating effectively as a team
individuals will have more success. it’s not just about a player getting good all of a sudden.
Of course its not going to happen overnight!
Baby steps man! Harris developed some bad habits from being overhyped and undercoached at such an early age. Getting him under Johnson’s tutelage should help him immensely. He even admitted that he wants Johnson’s discipline to help him focus more on improving as a player. Will it happen next year? Of course not. In a few years, perhaps.
a few years?
man, Harris is almost 28 years old. He better get his butt in gear ASAP
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 16, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Where in any of those articles did Avery say
This is Harris’ team? Can Net Income or someone post a quote and link? I didnt see it.
IMO this is Avery’s team and Player TBA.
Some people want this to be "Devin's team"
….so i can see why there was some spin added to this. No matter. Solid play on the court and leadership will determine whose team this really is. If Harris really wants this to be “his team”, and live up to the all star label, he needs to be vocal, think defense first, and look for the best interests of his team instead of jacking up god awful shots. Avery is not Frank, so once Harris falls into those bad habits he’ll be yanked.
Anyway, I am holding out hope that Avery, who clearly realizes, unlike a bunch of pro Harris homers that we have polluting our waters, that Devin has been playing like absolute garbage, and his play has been sloppy and undisciplined, can get this guy back on track.
What I would like to see is Harris become focused on defense, and playing off the ball so that Williams can be the playmaker(when they are in together). He still has a great talent for scoring but he’s got to use his head and pick and choose his spots. Jacking up pull up threes on the break should automatically get him benched for the rest of the qtr.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 16, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
well...
….he was looking to make plays for everyone else and the ball moved 100x better when he was handling the playmaker duties.
I’ll be happy with Devin if he steps up to the plate and cuts the crap, but I’m more interested to see what Williams can do with Avery’s guidance. Not really interested in injury prone players that can’t pass, defend, or shoot.
If he keeps his focus, he can be an absolute stud(Williams).
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 16, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, the ball moved from the floor into his palm and back....
Then 1 pass to a guy who shot it. Thats not ball movement.
Yes, there are times when he is the best player on the court. When he is running, he is a delight, but we cannot forget that he can be all about Devon and that he is injury prone. We need a strong PG behind him for when he is hurt. I think all of us would rather have Wall, so let’s not forget that we were ready to trade him off or have him be the 2 guard 3 weeks ago.
It's devin's team for the 55-60 or so games he'll be on the court AND healthy
who’s team is it going to be for the others?
I wonder if Carl Everett believes Jamie Moyer exists.
!!!
“We had him where he was on an All-Star type of a level, right before he made that All-Star team, especially defensively,” Johnson said. “He was doing a lot of what Rondo is doing now: Quick hands, quick feet, charges. We have to get him back to that. He was a fearless penetrator. Folks were just terrified. I talked to coaches back then, about how they lost sleep over his penetration and what he could do in getting the ball to the basket. We have some work to do.”
Avery just kicks butt
He’s already on top of what needs to be done.
"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."
by MrDollarBills on Jun 16, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Avery's perfect since Duncan is his idol
“A center needs to be a man” pretty much how he Avery put it.
Said Brook should be a perennial all star.
He likes to play inside out too! I’m so excited!!!!
I think the Nets have ultimately made the right choice
Johnson is a real taskmaster for sure, but with such a young team, I think a disciplinarian (especially one who was a former player) is the best choice. Also, Devin Harris was once one of the rising star point-guards, mentioned in the same breath as Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Now he’s barely even an also-ran. Someone who is intimately familiar with Harris; game like Avery could really help propel him to the top again and help him become a good team-leader. All in all, I think Avery Johnson is a good match for the team and no matter who they bring in this offseason, the Nets will be in good shape for the next few years to come.
I think Devin will be alright
The better players he has around him the room it gives him to operate. As long as he stays healthy lol
Man...
I’m telling you. the only thing Devin Harris needs is finishers and a great coach. he already has one of those. he is an all star talent.
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