The smile is slowly coming back as a regular feature on Al Harrington’s face. It was gone for a long time this season, removed in a sea of shooting struggles, nagging injuries and dwindling minutes.
Can one night change all of that?
Maybe.
The Nuggets are hoping it can. The power forward has proved to be a potent scoring threat, and this season has reminded everyone that he can be very effective on defense as well.
But it was his 27-point performance against San Antonio on Wednesday night that had teammates buzzing, Harrington smiling and everyone wondering if he’s on the right track for good.
“Hopefully, I just get some momentum going, going into the playoffs,” Harrington said. “I just feel like when I can get going, I just make our team that much more dangerous. When I’m not playing well, I don’t enjoy it. But I do enjoy us winning, through it all. That’s the main thing, but I also know I can add and be a major part to this. That’s what I’m trying to get back to.”
Harrington’s 27 points represented his third-highest- scoring game of the season, surpassed only by 31 points against Toronto on Dec. 10 and 28 points against Houston on Oct. 30.
So, how does a player go from struggling to nearly 30 points? A switch in mind-set.
“I think I was just too relaxed,” Harrington said. “I always used to have an edge. I always found some type of motivation from somewhere. I think I kind of let that get away from me a little bit, so I’m back on that. These last couple of weeks, I just feel like I have to carry myself a different way and I just have to have a different attitude out there on the floor.
“And when I’m that focused, I think I can be pretty good.”
Coach George Karl is optimistic that this Harrington is one who will stay.
“I hope so,” Karl said. “I trust Al. He’s had very good games and helped us have a strong season. Has the consistency been there?
“Players are going to say he’s not getting consistent minutes, and I’m going to say I’m not getting consistent play. It’s just part of the business.”
Harrington says a DNP-CD (Did not play — coach’s decision) at Miami on March 19 put a chip on his shoulder that he’s carried with him. He’s seen an increase in minutes over the last three games, and if that continues, he believes his inspired play will as well — within reason, of course.
“I don’t think I’ll get 27 a night or anything like that because of the way we play, and then you never know how much I’m going to play,” Harrington said. “If I get the minutes, I’m going to try to take advantage just like I did last night. Just the key for me is getting on the court. I just feel like I should be out there more, and the only way I’m going to be able to prove that is through my play.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Washington at Denver
7 p.m. tonight, ALT, 950 AM
Spotlight on Jordan Crawford: Numerous Wizards injuries have pressed Crawford, normally a lightly used reserve, into full-time serviceand he has delivered. In his past eight games, he has averaged 20 points and 4.3 assists. He had 25 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in Washington’s loss at the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Wizards: Washington is the NBA’s worst road team, with a 1-33 mark this season. Its lone win was at Cleveland, 115-100 on Feb. 13. Since then, the Wizards have lost eight straight road games. . . . John Wall, who has had an injury-riddled rookie season, is averaging 18.7 points since the all-star break.
Nuggets: Shooting guard Arron Afflalo (hamstring) will not play tonight and likely will not play until late next week, at the earliest. . . . The Nuggets, one of the top home teams in the NBA, are 29-7 at the Pepsi Center.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
