because he was a wasted pick in the first place. He is a 1 dimensional player and while in games, he cant do the one thing he is supposed to do. I like him, butI dont see roomfor him on this roster unless he starts draining 3s consistantly. Harris gives the team more athelticism. Novak was practically a first round pick and all they expect from him is Matt Bullard?
It doesn't matter what was originally expected. Right now, Novak has a skill that translates to the NBA. He had a couple of very good games in summer league so we can at least be hopeful. Mike Harris is too small to play inside in the league. Neither guy will be an impact player but Novak might be able to carve himself a niche as a specialist. But if he bombs out again this year, it's time to cut bait.
There is always a place for a guy who makes himself useful on the court. He doesn't have to be "big" or "exceptional" but if there is something that he does well that the coach thinks "Hey I need to get him minutes on the court" then a player no matter what his size is going to find a place for himself. Harris is the type of guy who is going to do whatever it takes if he gets on the court to find himself there again. Novak, under JVG, never really did that. He got on the court but seldom (after last preseason) did he stick out as someone who was doing something special. Do I think that Novak can carve a niche for himself... absolutely. I think under Adelman, if he plays SF rather than PF he will show himself to be productive offensively. But I don't think he will be in the game when they need a defensive stand, but he could definitely be there on offense if we need a 3 pointer to tie the game. Which is why both of them are going to have to prove themselves in camp. I just hate the idea of losing Harris this year because there is no space for him on the roster. Someone will pick him up and give him an opportunity to prove himself in the league... much like I was sick when there was no room for Kelenna Azubuike after last camp and the Warriors picked him up.
Yeah, and did you notice that Mitchell Wiggins second album had a lot of unnecessary guitar and drum solos? There must be something in the gatorade...
Harris doesn't have enough game to play SF in the NBA. He won't get those rebounds and putbacks like he did in summer league. He isn't long-limbed, he isn't particularly fast, he doesn't have great handles, he doesn't have a reliable outside shot, he doesn't have great hops, he isn't a shutdown defender, etc, etc. There is nothing he brings to the table at the highest level. Mike Harris is a prototype 4A player. The size, athleticism and skill level in the NBA are over his head. Kelenna Azubuike is slightly better. He is good enough to make some rosters and get some garbage time.
Well what does kirk snyder offer that is more than Harris? And harris does have ups and is not a complete scrub you make him out to be.
Snyder is about 10x as athletic and can be effective for short stretches. If it weren't for his incredible athleticism, Snyder wouldn't be in the NBA. If you took Harris' hustle, heart and IQ and put them in Snyder's body, you would have a solid NBA player. As it is, Snyder's athleticism and "potential" are all he has. Harris doesn't even have that. At this point, Harris isn't even a complete scrub. It won't even be up for discussion until he finally makes an NBA roster, which may never happen. (Please understand I'm not attacking his character but only discussing his NBA prospects).
I just really dont understand everyones obsession with Snyder. Yes he can dunk but in terms of actual basketball skill, he has none. The guy cannot even dribble a basketball consitantly well.
There is no obsession with Snyder. He's just a marginal player and everyone knows that. It's possible he doesn't make the roster.
There really is not much more "potential." We are talking about a, what?, 4th year player? Harris is a known quantity. He has excelled at every level his played. I've seen him take on #1 UConn with Okafor, Villanueva, and Gordon. He scored at will against Okafor...like he does against everyone. Yes, he's a tweener. Yes, he might not make the Rockets, because of the depth. But coaches know what he can do. Dude can score, and will score. But, where does he play D. imo, coaches like players with tangible skills. fans like intangible "potential." And Snyder's potential is fleeting. Plus, we are loaded at guard. Harris would act as injury insurance for two positions. He might not make the team, and if he does, he might not play without injuries, but Snyder "potential" is getting old...like Swift and Griffin.
Let's face it, Harris has never made ANY NBA team, not just the Rockets. What he did at previous levels is irrelevant and at some point he's got a career decision to make. How many years does he keep trying before moving on with his life? We don't need insurance at SF, which is the strongest position on the team because of Tracy, Shane and Bonzi and no way can Harris play D at PF. As for Snyder, his only tangible is athleticism, which he sometimes puts to good use on defense, on the break, the occasional sky-high rebound and finishing at the rim. He is also "insurance" at two positions: SG & SF. Your comparison to Stro & EG sounds accurate to me.
I've seen numerous people talk about his amazing athletic ability and how he should take Luthers spot in the rotation. Im not talking about you, but other people on this board and others.
Well, you need to have "athleticism" to be an athlete. At least Snyder uses his athleticism effectively. Due to it, he's a good shot blocker for his position, good defender, and, I think the most overlooked part of his game, a good finisher around the basket (not just dunks). On Yao's and McGrady's team you need other role players who will finish plays. And being in Adelman's offense, Synder's ability to cut and finish around the basket SEEMS to be very beneficial to this team. And he complements Yao's passing ability as well. He has a potential spot on this team in my opinion, but of course we'll have to see.
come on, he has only been a pro for 2 yrs. He doesn't qualify as a journeymen, yet, like Snyder is approaching. This will be only his second pre-season. Not like the guy isn't still improving. Clearly he is. Snyder is the one not improving anymore. The only thing keeping Harris out of the NBA so far is he is a PF tweener. It is not lack of bball skills. Guys like that, who improve each year, usually make a team eventually, if for nothing else than they make great practice players. Guys like Snyder stay in the league because their potential bought them a long contract. But then they just become trade fodder journeymen, yet fans who like highlights keep dreaming that the potential still exists ... year, after year. that said, I would not bet that Harris makes the team over Snyder. Sometimes these guys are just used to make the boarderline vets work harder in preseason, because guys like Harris can embarrass them really quickly.
Doesn't Mike Harris have range up to 3 point land? He was effective on the inside and outside during the summer league. Stroke the 3 point well enough and he can be Battier's understudy.
