won’t admit it, but this season has taken a toll on him.
Healthy for only 33 of 59 games, the Nuggets’ guard can take some solace in that finally, with a month and a half to go in the regular season, he looks right. Whether itap stepping into an open 3-point look or getting physical on the defensive end, he’s made an immediate impact in the two games since he’s returned.
Not that Harris deserves all the credit, but since he’s been back — wins over the Mavs and Clippers — opponents are just 13 of 62 from the 3-point line. In the prior seven games, with Harris out due to an adductor strain, opponents shot 39 percent from the 3-point line against the Nuggets.
“All five of us out there being on a string, communicating,” Harris said. “Itap not just me.”
Itap not, but the rest of the Nuggets recognize how much he changes the dynamic of their defense.
“He’s our best defender, up and down,” said , after the Nuggets held the Clippers to 34.5 percent shooting from the field, including 3-of-21 from outside, Sunday evening.
“His defense sets the tone for a lot of things that we do,” said. “The way he can fight over screens and chase guys, the way he can get deflections, the way he contests shots. All that translates down the line.”
Harris’ tenacity on the perimeter has a palpable effect on the Nuggets’ interior defense.
“He never quits, he’s always behind the guy,” said. “He’s always sneaking. He’s a great defender. When you see him play hard, you just want to play as hard as him.”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone has a different theory about his rugged two-way stopper.
“Maybe itap his football background,” Malone said.
Harris was a standout wide receiver in high school in Indiana before opting to play basketball at Michigan State.
“He likes playing a physical game, he’s not afraid of that and he knows how to maneuver around screens and get back in front of the ball,” Malone said. “I don’t know if he’s 100 percent, but he looks really good and looks really comfortable out there.”
Malone was asked specifically about one play in the third quarter where Harris drew a tight curl around a pick, anticipated the back pass and lunged for a deflection.
“That was one of my favorite plays of the game,” Malone said. “We always talk about high, active hands forcing hang-time passes, but then Gary has the presence of mind to not only get the deflection, but tap it full length of the floor for Monte (Morris) to go get.”
Gary Harris gets the deflection and slaps it ahead to Monte Morris! 92 70
WATCH on
— NBA (@NBA)
It was arguably the highlight of the night as the Nuggets converted 17 Los Angeles turnovers into 26 points.
For now, as he works his way back into game shape, Harris will come off the bench. But Malone made it clear that despite ’s rise, Harris is still the Nuggets’ starting two guard moving forward.
Itap a reassuring thought for a team dreaming about a deep postseason run.
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