Joe "Captain America" Harris

[blommen]

If he keeps up the way he's been playing in the next four games, which is going to be a damn tough stretch for us, I say give it to him. While we shouldn't write off what he's been doing, there is still a big difference between the Hawks and Celtics and the Spurs, Raptors and Wizards. What's most promising about him is that it's simple things like moving the ball, hustling, hitting open shots, and just playing very smart, and those things shouldn't just completely drop off against better competition like a scoring burst probably would. He's looking like a damn steal right now, regardless of wether he starts or not.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Harris is technically a rookie, but the difference between 4 year college players and most rookies is pretty dramatic. We saw the same thing with Delly -- 4 year college seniors tend to enter the league with much more mature games (and mature personalities) than do the typically talented one and done's.

It's partially a matter of extra development time, but also a function of the fact that such guys tend to stay 4 years precisely because they lack the pure athletic talent of the early departures. Guys good enough to be drafted after 4 years who lack athletic talent are necessarily going to excel in the aspects of the game less dependent on athleticism, such as effort, BBIQ, shooting, etc..

 

[Captain S]

Imagine how good LeBron would have been as rookie if he was drafted in 2007

In that world

Roy, LeBron and Aldridge are all on the blazers

Seattle/OKC takes Oden



Hawks pair Joe Johnson with Durant


Interesting alternate reality

 

[Splitz]

The starting two guard on this particular team needs to be able to put their ego aside, not force it and just be opportunistic because open shots will come. Joe Harris is proving that he is a good choice in that role and as was previously mentioned, his 4 years at Virginia have definitely armed him with the maturity and polished game that lends itself to success in the NBA. I love how he swings the ball around the perimeter but is also looking to make the open pass to the post and he delivers it accurately and with confidence. He also steps into his jumpshot without hesitation and as with all good shooters, moves well into his spots to receive the open pass. Very pleased thus far..

 

[Jack Brickman]

hey everyone has their own opinion but I believe that it would be a horrendous decision to replace marion w/ harris. I think Marion's resume speaks for itself. 15 years in the league as a starter and won a championship with the mavs. In fact he was one of the main reasons they won from his d on LeBron.

I also think the big 3 need defense out there with them in the starting unit not more shooting and less d

Marion's resume is great, but he's just not a two-guard. He's a small forward who is capable of playing minutes at the four as well. He's not as quick as he used to be, and thus he is going to struggle against smaller, quicker two-guards, which means he's not ideal as a starting two.

Marion also isn't as good of a shooter as Harris is. Yeah, he is reliable enough despite his ugly ass shot, but Harris basically checks every box: solid defensively, smart passer, good shooter.

 

[wremy]

I like Marion starting but Harris can play a very similar role to Danny Green on this team.. we shall see

 

[westsidebob]

Two words: Mike Sanders

Yes, I know Sanders was a SF and he wasn't a Tuesday-born Taurus, second round draft pick that make it the the Finals as a rookie that once drove a Ford, but he was a good fundamentals guy who could play D and hit a timely shot.

Actually, he's worse, he was a fourth rounder. According to some, they should've been euthanized rather than embarrass themselves.

 

[Ruken]

I say we see how he fares these next few weeks. If he continues this solid play, then you plug him into the starting lineup which allows the rest of our pieces to fall into place. Plus his shooting helps space the court more than Marion in the starting lineup. Finally, Marion off the bench with his versatility is way more valuable. He can spell Lebron and helps the bench as a unit.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

If he keeps up the way he's been playing in the next four games, which is going to be a damn tough stretch for us, I say give it to him. While we shouldn't write off what he's been doing, there is still a big difference between the Hawks and Celtics and the Spurs, Raptors and Wizards. What's most promising about him is that it's simple things like moving the ball, hustling, hitting open shots, and just playing very smart, and those things shouldn't just completely drop off against better competition like a scoring burst probably would. He's looking like a damn steal right now, regardless of wether he starts or not.

If we win the next 4 why would we change players roles? While I agree he fits good with the starters having the defense out there is nice. Also if you have notices Blatt has been doing a much better job subbing players out and in. He does not like to keep players out of the game to long where they lose any momentom.

 

[CSF]

I say we see how he fares these next few weeks. If he continues this solid play, then you plug him into the starting lineup which allows the rest of our pieces to fall into place. Plus his shooting helps space the court more than Marion in the starting lineup. Finally, Marion off the bench with his versatility is way more valuable. He can spell Lebron and helps the bench as a unit.

Marion is half the player he is without LeBron on the floor with him.. Source : my own 2 eyes

 

[blommen]

If we win the next 4 why would we change players roles? While I agree he fits good with the starters having the defense out there is nice. Also if you have notices Blatt has been doing a much better job subbing players out and in. He does not like to keep players out of the game to long where they lose any momentom.

I absolutely agree, I have been big fan of the size mismatches we get from starting Marion at the two and we have enough players to stretch the floor in our starting line-up that it doesn't kill our spacing to have him out there while it also boosts our defense like you said. However, if Joe continues to produce the way he has and playing smart, wouldn't it be more sensible to have him get more burn than the older Marion and then move Marion on to our second line which would suddenly consist of Delly, Dion and him (which would arguably be our most potent perimeter defensive line and a damn mouthful for opposing players to overcome).

 

[Ruken]

Marion is half the player he is without LeBron on the floor with him.. Source : my own 2 eyes

So are 90% of the players in the NBA. As far as the the make up of the first and second unit, it makes more sense to have Marion with the second unit. I will agree I like him out there to close out games though because of the added perimeter defense.

 

[Cavatt]

Marion's resume is great, but he's just not a two-guard. He's a small forward who is capable of playing minutes at the four as well. He's not as quick as he used to be, and thus he is going to struggle against smaller, quicker two-guards, which means he's not ideal as a starting two.

Marion also isn't as good of a shooter as Harris is. Yeah, he is reliable enough despite his ugly ass shot, but Harris basically checks every box: solid defensively, smart passer, good shooter.

I totally agree with this, but a team really hasn't been able to exploit this yet. Maybe Thornton in Boston? I do wonder how Marion feels about it. He probably feels he deserves to start.

 

[Jack Brickman]

I totally agree with this, but a team really hasn't been able to exploit this yet. Maybe Thornton in Boston? I do wonder how Marion feels about it. He probably feels he deserves to start.

He was fine coming off the bench a week ago. I don't really see why that would change now.

 

[Cavatt]

He was fine coming off the bench a week ago. I don't really see why that would change now.

Because of a starter from last year not a second round rookie