In The Post With David Harrison
Authored by Andrew Perna - 7th November, 2006 - 2:15 pm
Center David Harrison. Drafted in 2004 with the 29th overall selection, the former Colorado standout has yet to play an everyday role on a Pacers team that’s stacked long the front line. Despite that, Harrison’s contract was extended this summer through the 2007-2008 season.
Last season he averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in sixty-seven contests. At seven feet and nearly three hundred pounds, Harrison is a force to be reckoned with inside the paint. With a new high-octane offense put in place by Rick Carlisle this season, Harrison should have plenty of opportunities to break out in his third NBA season. I asked David, who is one of the most approachable guys I’ve spoken with, about the new offense and a few other things at Madison Square Garden’s Opening Night.
You figure to play a larger role in the new offense this season. How have you prepared?
I lost a lot of weight. I did a lot of running, and worked on my shot. I’ve been trying to improve my shot further and further from the basket. When the guards break the defense down they like to kick it back, so I need to be able to hit that shot. I’ve worked on my trailing shots and stuff like that. I worked on a lot of things that you don’t work on when you’re just a post player.
During the 2005 playoffs you sported a Mohawk. Do you think Al stole your idea?
Not really [laughs]. When I did the Mohawk the guys thought it was crazy, but everyone loves Al’s Mohawk. I think it’s cool. Mine was a little more spur of the moment, and a little more wild. His is nice. I don’t think he’s stealing any of my thunder because I didn’t think a lot of people even remembered.
The one problem you’ve had in the past has been staying on the floor because of foul problems. Have you done anything to help improve that aspect of your game?
I don’t think you can really work on that. You know, I play aggressively and I hit people and I’m a bigger guy. If I have more mass than the person I hit, my force is going to exert on them. So I don’t think you can really work on that. I think my biggest problem has been keeping my temper. I’m going to try to stay on the court that way. Fouls are going to come, but I can’t get technicals too.
Can you attribute anything to why you seem to work so well with Sarunas on the court?
I don’t know. The thing is we always seem to argue [laughs]. I think Runi plays basketball a lot like you play soccer. Soccer is similar to basketball on the fast break; you advance and kick it back for the shot. Not a lot of people really grew up playing that way, but I played soccer growing up and I think that has helped Runi and I connect on the court. In basketball a lot of people stand still, but in soccer you have to keep moving. I understand why we work well together, but we still get in little arguments off screens and stuff.
You dad played for the Eagles. Do you still follow the team?
Yes, I’m an Eagles fan and that’s my pet peeve. Especially when they’re struggling, they are a good team though.
What do you think the Eagles need to do to get back on track?
You know what? It’s one of those years that we could be undefeated, and won every game we’ve lost. But at the same time we shouldn’t be, I’m glad we’ve suffered some losses. I think we’ll be one of those teams that’ll go 10-6, get in the playoffs, and scare the **** out of people because we’re gonna know why we lost those games. Other teams, like the Colts, they don’t realize how they lose until the playoffs. And there it’s one-and-done.
It’s obvious that you’re a fun guy to be around. Who else can hold their own in the comedy department?
Oh dude, the funniest guy on the team is definitely Stephen Jackson. He’s constantly cracking jokes, him or Shawne. If you need a laugh, go over by those two and you’ll be laughing in minutes.
Can you let your fans in on some of the pranks you have pulled off this season?
I can’t yet, no yet. You’ll find out though. Nothing too big yet, I’ve just been messing with Danny. He’s a very easy target, and he’s like my little brother.
Source : http://pacers.realgm.com/articles/103/20061107/in_the_post_with_david_harrison/
Authored by Andrew Perna - 7th November, 2006 - 2:15 pm
Center David Harrison. Drafted in 2004 with the 29th overall selection, the former Colorado standout has yet to play an everyday role on a Pacers team that’s stacked long the front line. Despite that, Harrison’s contract was extended this summer through the 2007-2008 season.
Last season he averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in sixty-seven contests. At seven feet and nearly three hundred pounds, Harrison is a force to be reckoned with inside the paint. With a new high-octane offense put in place by Rick Carlisle this season, Harrison should have plenty of opportunities to break out in his third NBA season. I asked David, who is one of the most approachable guys I’ve spoken with, about the new offense and a few other things at Madison Square Garden’s Opening Night.
You figure to play a larger role in the new offense this season. How have you prepared?
I lost a lot of weight. I did a lot of running, and worked on my shot. I’ve been trying to improve my shot further and further from the basket. When the guards break the defense down they like to kick it back, so I need to be able to hit that shot. I’ve worked on my trailing shots and stuff like that. I worked on a lot of things that you don’t work on when you’re just a post player.
During the 2005 playoffs you sported a Mohawk. Do you think Al stole your idea?
Not really [laughs]. When I did the Mohawk the guys thought it was crazy, but everyone loves Al’s Mohawk. I think it’s cool. Mine was a little more spur of the moment, and a little more wild. His is nice. I don’t think he’s stealing any of my thunder because I didn’t think a lot of people even remembered.
The one problem you’ve had in the past has been staying on the floor because of foul problems. Have you done anything to help improve that aspect of your game?
I don’t think you can really work on that. You know, I play aggressively and I hit people and I’m a bigger guy. If I have more mass than the person I hit, my force is going to exert on them. So I don’t think you can really work on that. I think my biggest problem has been keeping my temper. I’m going to try to stay on the court that way. Fouls are going to come, but I can’t get technicals too.
Can you attribute anything to why you seem to work so well with Sarunas on the court?
I don’t know. The thing is we always seem to argue [laughs]. I think Runi plays basketball a lot like you play soccer. Soccer is similar to basketball on the fast break; you advance and kick it back for the shot. Not a lot of people really grew up playing that way, but I played soccer growing up and I think that has helped Runi and I connect on the court. In basketball a lot of people stand still, but in soccer you have to keep moving. I understand why we work well together, but we still get in little arguments off screens and stuff.
You dad played for the Eagles. Do you still follow the team?
Yes, I’m an Eagles fan and that’s my pet peeve. Especially when they’re struggling, they are a good team though.
What do you think the Eagles need to do to get back on track?
You know what? It’s one of those years that we could be undefeated, and won every game we’ve lost. But at the same time we shouldn’t be, I’m glad we’ve suffered some losses. I think we’ll be one of those teams that’ll go 10-6, get in the playoffs, and scare the **** out of people because we’re gonna know why we lost those games. Other teams, like the Colts, they don’t realize how they lose until the playoffs. And there it’s one-and-done.
It’s obvious that you’re a fun guy to be around. Who else can hold their own in the comedy department?
Oh dude, the funniest guy on the team is definitely Stephen Jackson. He’s constantly cracking jokes, him or Shawne. If you need a laugh, go over by those two and you’ll be laughing in minutes.
Can you let your fans in on some of the pranks you have pulled off this season?
I can’t yet, no yet. You’ll find out though. Nothing too big yet, I’ve just been messing with Danny. He’s a very easy target, and he’s like my little brother.
Source : http://pacers.realgm.com/articles/103/20061107/in_the_post_with_david_harrison/
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