Re: Devin Harris Q & A http://www.dimemag.com/feature.asp?id=2519Devin Harris Q & AWhile the Dallas Mavericks came two wins (and one D-Wade) shy of an NBA championship this year, Devin Harris had himself a star-making postseason. After starting in just four games and averaging 22 minutes a night in the regular season, Devin was inserted into the starting five during the Mavs second-round series with San Antonio, and took off from there, culminating in a 30-point, five-steal showing against the Suns in Game 1 of the conference finals. We caught up with Devin in Vegas last week.Dime: What have you been up to this summer?DH: Pretty much just clearing my head, trying to forget what happened last season.Dime: Was the Finals loss that hard on you?DH: It was hard. The way we lost it, having the lead and losing four straight, that wasn?t the way we wanted it to happen.Dime: How did you clear your head? Did you do anything different than the normal offseason?DH: I just went home and did my normal thing. I didn?t watch a lot of TV, no ?Sportscenter? or anything like that. I tried to concentrate on other things.Dime: Not trying to get you in any trouble, but what was your take on the refs during the Finals?DH: I mean, we didn?t get the calls all the time. They?re not gonna be perfect, but we felt we didn?t get the calls. But they?re only human, and we shouldn?t have been in that position. We can only blame ourselves.Dime: Losing to Miami was hard on you, but you have to consider last year?s playoffs a success for you on an individual level, right? You were one of the League?s breakout stars after the San Antonio series.DH: Yeah, it gives me a lot of confidence going into this year. Hopefully I can start at point guard and get more minutes.Dime: Does this current Mavericks squad have the parts to win the championship, or are you missing something?DH: We had the pieces last year. With the moves we made this (summer), we have better role players. And our core guys are back.Dime: You gained a rep as one of fastest, if not the fastest, player in the League with the ball. Where do you rank yourself on that list?DH: I still think Iverson is one of the fastest guys. Barbosa, too. It?s all about how you change gears, though. How you use your quickness. Avery is always preaching about that all the time, about using four or five different speeds.Dime: How much does it help you to have a coach who used to be an NBA point guard?DH: It?s great because he teaches me how to play the game effectively, even if you aren?t the best athlete.Dime: Which NBA players do you look up to our pattern your game after?DH: Tony Parker. Our games are similar, and our teams play similar styles.Dime: Are you more of a celebrity now since the Finals?DH: I?d have to say so, especially right after the season. I was more recognizable. It was less likely I?d have to wait for a table.
Re: Devin Harris Q & A Good stuff. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>DH: I still think Iverson is one of the fastest guys. Barbosa, too. It?s all about how you change gears, though. How you use your quickness. Avery is always preaching about that all the time, about using four or five different speeds.</div> I liked that part the most, Harris has to use that speed in smart ways. When he can hone that skill, he'll be tough to guard. Last season, he was out of control with his speed, that led to turnovers and missed layups. I hope he practiced this offseason how to control it and work with unique finishes around the rim, ie. Iverson. It killed me to see him drive so close and miss gimmes. Also, good to see none of the Mavs blaming the refs in interviews.
Re: Devin Harris Q & A I think Avery wanted to make sure nobody blamed the refs for this series. I'm sure deep down they feel differently about it but it doesn't look good to say that.
Re: Devin Harris Q & A <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Sep 13 2006, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.dimemag.com/feature.asp?id=2519Devin Harris Q & AWhile the Dallas Mavericks came two wins (and one D-Wade) shy of an NBA championship this year, Devin Harris had himself a star-making postseason. After starting in just four games and averaging 22 minutes a night in the regular season, Devin was inserted into the starting five during the Mavs second-round series with San Antonio, and took off from there, culminating in a 30-point, five-steal showing against the Suns in Game 1 of the conference finals. We caught up with Devin in Vegas last week.Dime: What have you been up to this summer?DH: Pretty much just clearing my head, trying to forget what happened last season.Dime: Was the Finals loss that hard on you?DH: It was hard. The way we lost it, having the lead and losing four straight, that wasn?t the way we wanted it to happen.Dime: How did you clear your head? Did you do anything different than the normal offseason?DH: I just went home and did my normal thing. I didn?t watch a lot of TV, no ?Sportscenter? or anything like that. I tried to concentrate on other things.Dime: Not trying to get you in any trouble, but what was your take on the refs during the Finals?DH: I mean, we didn?t get the calls all the time. They?re not gonna be perfect, but we felt we didn?t get the calls. But they?re only human, and we shouldn?t have been in that position. We can only blame ourselves.Dime: Losing to Miami was hard on you, but you have to consider last year?s playoffs a success for you on an individual level, right? You were one of the League?s breakout stars after the San Antonio series.DH: Yeah, it gives me a lot of confidence going into this year. Hopefully I can start at point guard and get more minutes.Dime: Does this current Mavericks squad have the parts to win the championship, or are you missing something?DH: We had the pieces last year. With the moves we made this (summer), we have better role players. And our core guys are back.Dime: You gained a rep as one of fastest, if not the fastest, player in the League with the ball. Where do you rank yourself on that list?DH: I still think Iverson is one of the fastest guys. Barbosa, too. It?s all about how you change gears, though. How you use your quickness. Avery is always preaching about that all the time, about using four or five different speeds.Dime: How much does it help you to have a coach who used to be an NBA point guard?DH: It?s great because he teaches me how to play the game effectively, even if you aren?t the best athlete.Dime: Which NBA players do you look up to our pattern your game after?DH: Tony Parker. Our games are similar, and our teams play similar styles.Dime: Are you more of a celebrity now since the Finals?DH: I?d have to say so, especially right after the season. I was more recognizable. It was less likely I?d have to wait for a table.</div>Sorry Mavs fans, it was just hard to ignore this.The people at Dime are idiots. I guess scoring 13 ppg classifies you as a star..Come on..Pretty good interview. Do you guys think the Mavs will go with a Harris, Terry lineup?
Re: Devin Harris Q & A It got them from the 1st round to the finals. I'd say its a definate probablility
Re: Devin Harris Q & A <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Sep 15 2006, 04:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry Mavs fans, it was just hard to ignore this.The people at Dime are idiots. I guess scoring 13 ppg classifies you as a star..Come on..Pretty good interview. Do you guys think the Mavs will go with a Harris, Terry lineup?</div> I was thinking the same thing about that "star" comment.Anyway, yeah, I think Avery Johnson will stick with the Harris-Terry lineup. It was a good guard line-up.I also agree that it's good to know that the Mavericks aren't publicly blaming the NBA officials for the loss. I probably would have blamed them, anyway. :winkglasses:
Re: Devin Harris Q & A <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The people at Dime are idiots. I guess scoring 13 ppg classifies you as a star..Come on..Pretty good interview. Do you guys think the Mavs will go with a Harris, Terry lineup?</div> I think you took it the wrong way. He definately broke out in that series and was a big reason why we won it. He showed flashes of becoming a star in the league. And I expect to see a Harris and Terry lineup.
Re: Devin Harris Q & A Not only did him being on the court help himself, JT really did great playing alongside harris.
Re: Devin Harris Q & A <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KCX @ Sep 17 2006, 06:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not only did him being on the court help himself, JT really did great playing alongside harris.</div>I agree. Terry also doesn't have to always guard the other teams point guard which can be tiring. That along with Terry getting to play off the ball allows him to be more creative on offense. Harris still needs to work on his passing to fully utilize Terry though and the rest of the offense.
