DALLAS — Al Harrington is happy where he is, in a powder blue Nuggets uniform. He could have been a Maverick.
Harrington was “recruited” by both the Nuggets and Mavericks in the summer free- agency period. He says he picked the Nuggets over the Mavericks because of the opportunity to play.
“I just felt this team needed me a little bit more,” Harrington said. “I had more of a defined role here than over there. I knew it would be hard trying to play behind Dirk (Nowitzki). And I liked the growth of this team. I think (we’ll) be good for a long time. That’s an older team over there too.”
Despite missing a significant amount of time in the preseason with a partial tear in his left plantar fascia, Harrington has bounced back to play impressive basketball. He ranks second on the team in scoring in a reserve role.
Harrington said the decision between the Nuggets and Mavericks “was pretty close. At the end of the day, I had to choose between them.
“It was a slow process. The whole free agency was a funny situation. But I’m lucky, and I’m happy that I’m here.”
Footnotes.
Nene missed his third straight game because of a strained groin. He’ll be a game-time decision again in the Nuggets’ game Monday at Chicago. . . . After getting into Dallas at 3 a.m. Saturday following their game against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Nuggets stayed in town overnight after the Mavericks game and will leave for Chicago today.
