Matt Harpring: Will the Jazz Miss Him

Will the Jazz miss Matt Harpring?

// December 28th, 2009 // Player Profile

So Matt Harpring is basically retiring because of injuries. He hasn’t officially retired yet but is definitely not playing this year. But let’s be honest…he’s done. Some have mused that the Jazz will miss his toughness on the court. Really? What exactly did he bring that can’t be replicated from someone else? Yes, Harpring was a physical basketball player. His position is small forward which gives him the assignment of guarding some of the best wing players in the league. If any of these players have a decent post-up game then I know we’ll have a tough time guarding them. But let’s consider who some of the best wing players are right now: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy, Vince Carter, Danny Granger, Ben Gordon, Carmelo Anthony, etc. Most, if not all, of these players do not have a decent post-up game. Kobe is the one who stands out who has been playing more from the post. Otherwise, these players are spot-up shooters or great off the dribble. Can Harpring keep up with these players? We all know he’s not all that quick on his feet but he is a big body right? That most likely means that when someone tries to blow by him he gets a body on them and most likely picks up a blocking foul. Can you really see Harpring guarding Melo or Bron or Durant this season? No way, he’d be worse on defense than CJ Miles who is, at least, 37 years younger.

Will we miss his offense? I definitely think that very few people can come around that screen and hit the foul line jumper with as high a percentage as Harpring. However, what else does he have in his repertoire? My friends and I used to have a joke that Harp would miss a wide open layup almost every single game and it so often proved to be true. Ever see him make a dunk? Block a shot? Or jump higher than 6 inches? So he’s got that one shot, the foul-line jumper, and….and that’s about it? Over the past 3 seasons he has gone 15 of 51 total from 3 point range so it’s not like he’s a floor spacer or can really threaten from outside. He’s not a good spot-up shooter either. Plus in that time he committed around 1-2 turnovers in 20 minutes per game. Considering that the Jazz generally are close to leading the league in turnovers we don’t really need more from someone who plays so few minutes.

So who is he most like on the Jazz? I’m going to suggest Millsap. Harp is 6’7, 230 lbs. Millsap is “listed” at 6’8 but is really more like 6’7 and 250 lbs. Millsap has an array of offensive moves and he’s only getting more versatile. He is starting to be able to create his own shot from mid to close range, has a good fallaway jumper, is getting better and better at the midrange jumper, can finish w/ the left or right hand, HE CAN DUNK, doesn’t have an outside game (there’s a tie)…etc. Millsap 4, Harpring 1. On defense he is a better rebounder, he can block shots, can’t guard perimeter players (that’s awash), can defend the post better, etc. Score = Millsap 3, Harpring 0. Final score? Millsap 7, Harpring 1.

Will the Jazz miss Harpring? With Millsap around, not at all. Even without Millsap? Not really. He had some great years here but they are long past. His future lies at the NBA studios as a commentator…which looks like a good gig for him. Good luck Matty

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