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October 7, 2007
Harrison extension up in the air until he shows he can stay on court
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
October 7, 2007
The word "potential" and David Harrison have been paired since the Indiana Pacers drafted him in the first round more than three years ago.
Ask anybody in the organization, Harrison included, and they'll tell you the 7-foot center has a long way to go to reach his potential.
Constant foul trouble, injuries and a short-fuse temper have hindered progress for the fourth-year player.
Harrison's inability to show Pacers officials what he can do on the court on a regular basis could cost him a contract extension.
Pacers president Larry Bird said there has been no talk of giving Harrison an extension before the Oct. 31 deadline.
"We're going to let this play out for a little bit and see what happens," Bird said. "He's had a pretty good first week."
Harrison will become a restricted free agent next summer if he's not given an extension before the end of the month. The Pacers have the right to match any offer given to Harrison next summer.
"If I get extended, it would be more for potential, just like when I was drafted," Harrison said. "I haven't really showed them a lot.
It's a business and it's nothing personal. If they want to make a move, I'm willing to make it in their time frame."
Harrison didn't have a chance to show the Pacers much last season because a shoulder injury, which he sustained while stretching, limited him to 24 games. The most glaring statistic about Harrison's third season was that he averaged 11.8 fouls per 48 minutes. As much as the fouls, his reactions afterward have often gotten him into trouble.
Harrison's teammates or coaches sometimes must restrain him from blowing up at the officials.
"Fouls, that's been my biggest problem," Harrison said. "I'm right back on the bench as soon as I pick up that second foul."
The coaching staff is emphasizing fouls in practice, routinely blowing the whistle and telling the players when they foul.
Harrison had a dominant offensive series in practice last week when coach Jim O'Brien stopped the drill and told his center in front of the team that the series was negated because he fouled on the defensive end.
"You can be good on the court or you can be good on the bench," O'Brien said. "If you foul, you're going to be on the bench because you only get six fouls. . . . I read these guys a quote the other day from (coach Vince) Lombardi and it said it's not talent and opportunity that necessarily help you succeed. It's concentration and perseverance. David needs to persevere and concentrate on what he needs to do to stay on the court for a long period of time. It's not because he's not talented enough, because he is talented."
The opportunity is there for Harrison, the Pacers' only true center, to get playing time, but it's up to him to earn it because O'Brien doesn't hand out unwarranted time.
"If and when I get my chance, I want to perform, and that's all I'm asking for," Harrison said. "If I'm not good enough, I want to prove I'm not good enough."
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My thoughts:
1) Larry damn well better NOT extend his contract
2) David Harrison doesn't get it
3) I hope Jim backs up not giving him time he doesn't deserve
Harrison extension up in the air until he shows he can stay on court
By Mike Wells
mike.wells@indystar.com
October 7, 2007
The word "potential" and David Harrison have been paired since the Indiana Pacers drafted him in the first round more than three years ago.
Ask anybody in the organization, Harrison included, and they'll tell you the 7-foot center has a long way to go to reach his potential.
Constant foul trouble, injuries and a short-fuse temper have hindered progress for the fourth-year player.
Harrison's inability to show Pacers officials what he can do on the court on a regular basis could cost him a contract extension.
Pacers president Larry Bird said there has been no talk of giving Harrison an extension before the Oct. 31 deadline.
"We're going to let this play out for a little bit and see what happens," Bird said. "He's had a pretty good first week."
Harrison will become a restricted free agent next summer if he's not given an extension before the end of the month. The Pacers have the right to match any offer given to Harrison next summer.
"If I get extended, it would be more for potential, just like when I was drafted," Harrison said. "I haven't really showed them a lot.
It's a business and it's nothing personal. If they want to make a move, I'm willing to make it in their time frame."
Harrison didn't have a chance to show the Pacers much last season because a shoulder injury, which he sustained while stretching, limited him to 24 games. The most glaring statistic about Harrison's third season was that he averaged 11.8 fouls per 48 minutes. As much as the fouls, his reactions afterward have often gotten him into trouble.
Harrison's teammates or coaches sometimes must restrain him from blowing up at the officials.
"Fouls, that's been my biggest problem," Harrison said. "I'm right back on the bench as soon as I pick up that second foul."
The coaching staff is emphasizing fouls in practice, routinely blowing the whistle and telling the players when they foul.
Harrison had a dominant offensive series in practice last week when coach Jim O'Brien stopped the drill and told his center in front of the team that the series was negated because he fouled on the defensive end.
"You can be good on the court or you can be good on the bench," O'Brien said. "If you foul, you're going to be on the bench because you only get six fouls. . . . I read these guys a quote the other day from (coach Vince) Lombardi and it said it's not talent and opportunity that necessarily help you succeed. It's concentration and perseverance. David needs to persevere and concentrate on what he needs to do to stay on the court for a long period of time. It's not because he's not talented enough, because he is talented."
The opportunity is there for Harrison, the Pacers' only true center, to get playing time, but it's up to him to earn it because O'Brien doesn't hand out unwarranted time.
"If and when I get my chance, I want to perform, and that's all I'm asking for," Harrison said. "If I'm not good enough, I want to prove I'm not good enough."
---------------------------
My thoughts:
1) Larry damn well better NOT extend his contract
2) David Harrison doesn't get it
3) I hope Jim backs up not giving him time he doesn't deserve
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