“Step away from your crack dealer.” Those words uttered out of the mouth of Mark Cuban just a week ago when asked about trading Devin Harris.
If all goes well then guards Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, center DeSagana Diop, and forward Keith Van Horne, will be joining the Nets team in the midst of a pathetic playoff race.
John Hollinger, along with many other reporters, complimented Rod Thorn on getting such a great deal for his old, but experienced, point guard. The offers that had been listed had made almost no sense. Many would have been happy for Kidd’s contract just to expire.
Instead of having Jordan Farmar leading the point, we have a young, but seasoned, point guard in Harris. Harris who will be celebrating his 25th birthday this week. He's coming into New Jersey ten years younger than Kidd, but only one less Finale appearance.
“I have a new future to look forward to,” he says. It, in no way, means the talent level is the same. The two guards play very different games. Kidd set up players like no other, while Harris blows by guys and takes the contact. Harris also stepped in for Steve Nash when he got a better offer from Phoenix. Only a rookie, he watched Steve Nash pick up two MVP’s.
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A mere year later, after being embarrassed by Baron Davis and the Warriors, Harris finds himself in a new environment. “I’m looking forward to having a little bit more control, a little bit more freedom over there. I love my team-mates here, so it’s mixed emotions, but I’m excited about the new challenge,” said Harris.
Harris won’t be going alone as he heads over with team-mates, one being Keith Van Horne. Maurice Ager, the youngest of the group is an undersized two guard who played second fiddle to Shannon Brown at the University of Michigan. Ager has yet to see real NBA time in his short career, yet has been money in the D-League. He will either get time right away or stay in the D-League in Colorado as Trenton Hassell fights to fill Antoine Wright’s role.
Hassell, who was traded from Minnesota earlier in the 2007 season, will look to find his game that he somehow lost between being signed an above average amount, to now. Could be an interesting trading piece due to size and veteran status. His contract still has couple years left on it.
DeSagana Diop was an underrated defender, who often had to go against the Duncan’s and the Amare’s of the West. Now he has to earn his time in a front court that has improved vastly over the years.
Sean Williams, along with Nenad Krstic and Josh Boone, have earned their time under Lawrence Frank, but Diop's defensive ability is what he will fall in love with. Stromile Swift might be thrown under the bus if Diop gets the back-up role, as he finds a seat beside Jamaal Magloire.
Last but not least, Keith Van Horn. Though he may not ever enter a game, he helped the Nets groom themselves for the future. Horn helped out New Jersey before being kicked out by the very player he helped get to Dallas. Playing or not, his aspiring four million will be nice at the seasons end.
Altogether Rod Thorn got a good deal out of a good player. Losing right now definitely does not look as grim, especially with two young men and a young guard. The talent here, accompanied by more money in the off-season, could make this team rise to the top before most people expect it.
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9 months ago
i hate to see devin harris leave the mavs because dirk is to sorry of a player to pik up the slack nash left behind. and kidd wont be of any help because he wont be able to guard tony parker or maunu ginoble in the players. Harris on the other hand can run up and down the court with kobee wade nash parker and all of the other guards he may not be able to score like they can but he can bother them defensivly and make it a better outcome on the offensive end. i cant belive you would get rid of him just like that. i could see if we were getting AI or somebody of that talent but kidd?? this is his THIRD time coming to dallas if he hasnt done anything the other two tyms but cause problems what do you think he will do here again?? this may only work for a few months but i see kidd as a waste of time now. the only player that gets benifits on the kidd trade is JOSH HOWARD he is the only other player that will help kidd get the assist he had in jersey so i expect to see dirk become a fade away as howard grows to be the best player on the mavericks. i see new jersey becoming a franschise untill 2013 when harris' contract expires. GOOD LUCK HARRIS ILL BE ROOTING FOR YOU TILL THE DAY YOU RETIRE!!!
Anthonyy_nba aka Mr. Amazing
9 months ago
Name some players that come to mind that can cover Kobe Wade Nash and Parker? I think most of the time it was Howard covering those guys anyhow if that even made a difference. At this point, the trade is done and the only person who would be at fault would be Avery. He's the coach and he should be able to put this thing together. Two future hall of famers and J. Ho in the lineup with a decent bench with Terry, Stack, and Bass. I like these odds alot better than Devin running up and down the court. He's a good player to have but that's all he'll ever be is good and not a superstar. If Devin was so good defensively as everyone states. I believe he had trouble against Wade in the finals and B. Davis last year. But everyone blames everyone else on the team. We all know what type of animal Dirk is. He's not here to lead and J. Ho or Terry haven't taken the position to be the key guy. Let things be for the next two years and then we shall the truth.
9 months ago
I think mavs made a huge mistake, Harris is young, hes going to get way better, because hes already great, so hes going to have a huge future and Mark is going to realize he made a big mistake.... And kidd doesnt make points and hes slow, but he does make good assists..... but hell be gone in 4 years , then what will the Mavs do?
~#34~
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