Harris stands his ground against Nash

[MavsFanFinley]

Harris stands his ground against Nash

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News

The point guard of the past was great. But the point guard of the future wasn't bad, either.

Rookie Devin Harris found out what it's like going against a local legend, but he didn't back down from the challenge Steve Nash presented. While it was Nash's night to be toasted at American Airlines Center, then do some roasting of his former team, Harris served notice that the Mavericks' point-guard position is in good hands.

"I was pretty proud of my point guard," coach Don Nelson said. "The future is bright here. He just doesn't have the information that Steve Nash has, and he's not going to get it in two months."

Harris knew he was up against a tough match.

"It was an experience," he said. "He played extremely well. We had some guys knocked out [with injuries], so I just tried to seize the opportunity."

Harris finished with 15 points, six assists and five steals. They weren't Nash numbers. But they weren't bad.

Nash was just happy to get through an emotional day. An hour before game time, Nash was into his routine. He went to the practice court for pregame shooting, just as he did as a Maverick.

It wasn't the first time a player from a visiting team worked out pregame on the Mavericks' private floor. But it's rare. He got a lengthy standing ovation when starting lineups were announced.

The Mavericks figured they were in trouble.

"We said that before [Jerry] Stackhouse went back to Washington," Nelson said. "We thought he'd have either a great game or a stinker. And he had a great game. Usually, you either play great or lay an egg."

Assistant coach Del Harris was standing close by and offered his prediction:

"I wouldn't count on any eggs tonight," Harris said.

Nash's main concern was to get through the day.

Briefly:

The Mavericks had won seven consecutive games at AAC against Phoenix ... Four Suns had double-doubles, with Amare Stoudemire, Quentin Richardson and Shawn Marion getting theirs with points and rebounds and Steve Nash doing so with assists and points.

[Misfit Mav]

Originally posted by: MavsFanFinley
Harris finished with 15 points, six assists and five steals. They weren't Nash numbers. But they weren't bad.

Yeah, they sure weren't Nash numbers. Nash never got 5 steals in a game in his life.

EDIT: I have to take it back. Nash has 5 steals once in his career-- against Boston in 2000. I stand by my general point, though[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[The Miles]

Nash also had a buttload of turnovers and Harris didn't. I thought Devin was outstanding, I hope this leads to more minutes and elevates him.

Once Harris learns to shoot and keep his dribble (which he was better at tonight) then he will be an All Star.

Awesome.

[bloodyhell]

pat on the back to harris, he played really well.

[The Miles]

I can't wait to see him harass Marbury Friday night.

[Dirkenstien]

Harris is really impressing me. He'll be one of the best defensive and most athletic pg's in the league with time.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

He makes me so proud, sniff sniff. You know, in our two losses, I haven't felt that bad. I mean we held our own without Terry, Damp, and Finley. Two starters and our co-6th man out.....Harris stepped up and gave it a heck of an effort. Watch next game. My boy will have a killer game, especially if Terry is still out. Although I heard his ankle is ok. Anyways....GO MAVS

[Chicago JK]

Nash did have too many turnovers but that goes with the terriotory. He got his Suns teammates layup/dunk after the other. He was very good last night

With that being said you have to like how Harris responded. He seems to have a strong mental makeup. His scoring is way ahead of his playmaking right now, but that will improve. I think he has the potential to score 20 a game in the NBA while handing out 6-8 assists a game. Throw in his defensive ability and the kid could be scary good. Will take some time though...although maybe not as long as I thought.

[poohrichardson]

Eh, with 18 assists.. suddenly 10 turnovers doesn't sound so bad.. especially when the end result of the game is a win due to your point guard's efforts in a big game.

[MavKikiNYC]

Originally posted by: poohrichardson
Eh, with 18 assists.. suddenly 10 turnovers doesn't sound so bad.. especially when the end result of the game is a win due to your point guard's efforts in a big game.

Conversely, 18 assists isn't as impressive when it's accompanied by 10 TOs. Nash has to feel lucky his team won, or he'd be looking like a goat with those 10 TOs.

When you compare their net A-TO, they were pretty even. NIce game for Harris.

[4cwebb]

the net A to TO doesn't take into account whether the Mavs scored off of each of those turnovers...if they did, then there was only a 4 point lag (36 to 32), but if not, the difference increases.

The only complaint I would have about Harris' game is that it took him 20 shots to get 15 points. But, considering the inconsistent minutes he has received so far this season, he did an admirable job after Terry went down.

[sike]

Originally posted by: poohrichardson
Eh, with 18 assists.. suddenly 10 turnovers doesn't sound so bad...

10 turnovers always sounds bad. 18 assists always sounds great. Like Kiki said, it pretty much washes to a decent effort by Nash.