By: Omar Hozayen
Devin Harris’s ’09-’10 season was, to say the least, disappointing. Harris looked very disinterested at times and was not nearly as productive as he was a season before when many people felt he deserved to win the Most Improved Player Award. Harris was also unable to score as well as he did in ’09, going from 21.3 ppg on 43.8% shooting to 16.9 ppg on 40.3% shooting. This was especially important because the Nets desperately needed scoring last season and saw their offense become more stagnant than the swamp water of New Jersey. To no one’s surprise they ranked last in this category in terms of points per possession.
Devin’s drop off can be attributed to several factors, one of which is lack of spacing offensively. He was unable to attack the basket like he did in his 2008-09 All-Star campaign due to teams packing in the lane and forcing the Nets to shoot long jumpers. This is where GM Billy King and the Net’s new acquisitions come in. Anthony Morrow, Troy Murphy, and to a lesser extent Travis Outlaw, all have the ability to spread the floor and knock down open threes. Morrow is the definition of a leave-at-no-cost shooter, and hits from downtown at a sizzling 46.0% for his career. Morrow will make a huge impact on Devin Harris and the rest of the Nets even if he doesn’t have the ball at all. Troy Murphy is also a very good shooter from deep (38.4% in ’10 and 45.0% in ’09) and this is even more impressive when you take into account his size as a 6′ 11′ power forward.
These acquisitions will allow Devin Harris and Brook Lopez to let out a sigh of relief because they will no longer have Josh Boone’s defender in their jersey. Devin will now be able to try out a play he hasn’t been able to do since arriving in New Jersey due to personnel, the pick and pop. Murphy excels with straight on threes off of pick and pops. Let’s hope that him and Devin are so proficient at this play that it’s known all over the world as the “pick and pop from the top.” But maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Travis Outlaw, although he came at quite a price at five years, $35 million dollars, should provide dynamic scoring from the wing position as well as spot up shooting.
With the floor spread and spaced Devin Harris will be able to do what he does best, get into the lane and finish at the basket. His attempts at the rim dropped from 5.9 a game to 4.7 from 2 seasons ago to last season. This is where the bulk of his drop off occurred because his total FGA dropped only 1.3 attempts per game (15.1 to 13.8). Most importantly for Harris, he will finally be able to get to the line more easily against fewer help defenders. This was a huge part of his game in Devin’s ’09 campaign when he attempted 8.8 FT’s per game in comparison to 6.0 FTA last season.
The people who help Devin Harris get back on track may not be on the court at all, but on the sidelines and in the front office. Avery Johnson is a proven coach who is just the person Harris needs to push him after a season where he looked bored. Remember that Johnson and Harris have experience working with one another in Dallas just a few years ago. One department where Johnson can help Devin get back on track is defensively where he definitely seemed to fall off last year after building a reputation as a solid defender. Defense is one of those things that has a lot to do with effort and I expect Harris to make a full 180 degree turn (no Jason Kidd, not 360 degrees) in that category. The changes in management and the arrival of Mikhail Prokhorov should also instill optimism in Harris and give him a reason to go all out and play hard, if he has been looking for a reason.
It is mind blowing how much the Nets have changed from last year. They have a new arena for goodness sake if that’s what it will take to get Devin Harris back to his ’09 self. Hey, a change of scenery never hurts when it comes to having a bounce back year. All the pieces are in place for Harris to turn it around.
Let’s recap what may help him:
Retooled roster with several knock down shooters? Check.
New Owner? Check.
New Proven Coach? Check.
New Arena? Check.
Improving Terrence Williams and Brook Lopez? Check.
The Nets have done as much as they can; it’s all in your hands now Devin.
The Nets Nation 