Being Del Harris

First off, I think this thread, and idea, is awesome. Way to go, Trader Dan - those his answers are soemwhat brief, it almost seems as if Del is enjoying the conversation.

Some proposed questions (sorry if these have been asked).

1) What is the most important non-skill related characterstic of a good professional basketball player?

2) How much of an impact do coaches have on the success of a team?

3) Which position do you want to have your best player at?

 

great work dan. thanks! l'd also like to know the extend of yao's injury. how serious is it?

 

Fantastic work, Trader Dan! Thanks.
Yes, we all want to know, "what's up with the toe??"

 

Trader_Dan,

thank you again for this correspondence. I don't know what would be appropriate, but I'd definitely be interested in helping you do something to let Del know how much we appreciate his correspondence.

Is Harris still with the Mavs? Ask him what his plans are for the next few years. Is he interested in resuming a head coach position somewhere? College ball?

You might also consider asking him whether he was surprised by the loss of Nash and how it will impact the Mavs.

 

This is the news that is most important imo.

He had almost 2 months of rest away from playing ball....and should get at least one more(possibly more) between the Olympics and when camp opens.

This should go a long way towards ensuring that he doesnt run out of gas before the end of the season.

 

Good work trader Dan. I'm surprised this thread isn't seeing more traffic. I wish there were more coaches as open with fans as Del Harris in the league. I wouldn't mind seeing him on the Rockets bench again some day either.

And more importantly, Thanks Del!

Keep the info coming. We appreciate the insight very much.

 

I am so impressed that Del Harris makes himself so accessable and answers your/our emails so directly. Can't help but notice that he absolutely will not comment on somebody else's opinion. Guess he would never make it on this board.

Thanks Del
Thanks Trader Dan

 

Good job with a good idea! Thanks.

 

This correspondence is awesome. Thanks for posting all this stuff.

Throw my name in as a vote for a "Will the toe need surgery?" question.

 

Rockets2k, I think you are wrong.

A man like Yao's size and age should improve his stamina by practicing and balanced nutrition, not by resting.

Long rest won't do him any good.

 

good work.

can we not ask Harris any more question about Tmac trades, or "how do Yao think ..." or any interpersonal questions? He is not going to answer, nor is he in position to answer. Let's stick the questions to Yao on NT, and their basketball skills.

Just my 2c.

Did Harris give more info on Yao's toe injury? that is the thing I most care about.

 

Trader Dan - thanks for all of your work on this. This is excellent.

I forget whether questions like these have been asked (I'll focus on Del since it seems like he'll answer those types of questions most).

1. Do you feel like your sets are simplified for the CNT when compared to NBA game sets?
2. What has the CNT indicated as their goal for 2008? Are they hoping your tutoring will lead to a few wins, or are they looking to medal? Have you heard any long-term discussion of wanting to become a basketball world power?
3. Do you see Yao as a vocal leader? Does he teach the other players the things he has picked up from the NBA? (Any specifics would be cool to see what Yao thinks is important - what does HE want in a PG? )

I also think this would be good as a sticky with the first post being your description of what you'd like to ask (the three questions) and each of the responses, but it's ultimately a moderator call.

Thanks again!

 

it has been said that Yao has been staying active(weightlifting, exercise)...
but the point I was making is that Yao has not (until recently) had to jack around with the ineffective NT practices and worthless games to sap his energy and risk injury in.

for a big man that has run out of gas in the latter third of the past two seasons.....having a much reduced playing schedule during the offseason is of the UTMOST importance if we hope to have a active and energetic Yao in the playoffs next year.

you may disagree on what he should be doing in the offseason, but if you really believe that Yao doesnt need more rest than he has been getting up till now.....I dont know what to tell you...

 

I agree, he does need rest. Rest is the most important thing that Yao needs to "work" on most this offseason.

 

Here's a question I'd like to ask Del Harris:

As we saw in the past 2 NBA seasons, Yao Ming has a lot of trouble getting and holding onto the ball when he is defended by smaller and much quicker defenders such as Eduardo Najera. Is this a concern for the Chinese NT in the Olympics? If so, what are some of the things being done to address this?

 

Good question but too vague. I would want to know what Harris thought being the reason of the problem? Why Yao lost the ball so easily and so much? If he has a better understanding of the reason, the solution would be relatively easier to be found.

 

Good question. Another one along the same vein - does Yao take a different role on this team than he does on the Rox as far as his on the court leadership?

 

This is an excellent question. I would like to vote for this question in the next round.

Thanks to Del and Trader Dan!

 

Ask him if he's trying to persuade Yao to join the Mavericks.