Once upon a time, Ron Harper He was among the most intimidating offensive forces in the NBA. While playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers, this player from Ohio consistently managed to score more than 20 points effortlessly on any given evening. His primary assets as a formidable scorer were his precise shooting and unmatched capability to drive to the basket.
However, a series of knee injuries, including an ACL tear in 1990, caused Harper's scoring prowess to decline. Determined to keep on playing in the NBA, Ron became an all-around player for the Chicago Bulls. Steve Kerr , his teammate in Cleveland and Chicago, was in awe of Harper's transformation.
"We give him a hard time because we know he can't jump like that anymore," Kerr said in 1997, per the Chicago Tribune. "It's unbelievable if you look at a film of him from seven or eight years ago."
"His game has changed 100 percent. I mean, he was a 20-point scorer in this league for a long time. And he has just fallen into the role of being a good defender, hitting an occasional three-pointer and doing a good job of getting us into our offense. And it's a credit to him," he added.
Five rings for Harper
Harp's evolution didn't just extend his career; it also yielded him five NBA Championships. His 6'6" frame, basketball IQ, and deep understanding of the game made him a crucial part of the Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers ' title runs.
As a strong dribbler, Ron provided his teams an advantage during point guard confrontations. Throughout the '90s and into the early 2000s, most point guards were around 6’0” to 6’4”, allowing Harp to dominate these matches effortlessly. Moreover, his stature and physicality let him handle larger opponents seamlessly, opening up numerous possibilities for both the Bulls and the Lakers.
Related: "This wasn't a choice made by Jason Kidd or Nico Harrison" — Tim Hardaway thinks that trading Luka Doncic was an ownership-level decision within the Mavericks organization.
GIll on Harper
Harper has mostly been eclipsed by his teammates who are considered stars. Michael Jordan , Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal. Few people acknowledge him as a crucial cornerstone of those winning squads.
Nevertheless, those who truly understand recognize the genuine value. Ex-New Jersey Nets player Kendall Gill understands how vital Harper’s presence was, particularly for the Chicago Bulls. He further commented: During Chicago's second three-peat, Harp played the most crucial role. .
I believe that's precisely where his significance lay, as he stepped in as a versatile player, Gill continued . Let me give Scottie some rest, let me give Michael some rest, focus on guarding Kevin Johnson instead. That sort of thing. It’s always beneficial for a championship squad to possess such depth.
Harper boasts one of the most fascinating NBA journeys around. If not for injuries, he might have risen to superstardom. Yet, this individual didn’t allow setbacks to dictate their future. Instead, they pushed through, dedicated themselves fully, and clinched championship titles five times over. Anyone dismissing him as a leech clearly hasn’t grasped his true grit.
Related: Ron Harper shares insights into training sessions with MJ: "At 6:30 am, he would have just a cup of coffee and a cigar in his mouth."
Post a Comment