Jazz Need to Dump Devin Harris

by Broox Anderson

Devin Harris looks on during the 2OT loss vs. Toronto (Wednesday).

RICHFIELD, UT — There’s little over a minute left on the clock as the Jazz battle fiercely against the Dallas Mavericks at home on Saturday. Devin Harris pushes the ball up the court, pulls up for a three to tie the game, and… misses the entire hoop by almost two feet.

No worries, Harris showed up to play at home against Toronto on Wednesday by posting 12 points and 6 assists in the first quarter. The Jazz let the Raptors dig themselves out of an 18-point deficit to force a double-overtime showdown. With less than a minute left on the clock, Devin Harris drives, elevates, and draws a foul. The score is 106-109, and Harris has a chance to cut the Raptors’ lead to one.

At the line, he spins the ball, bounces it off the floor, looks at the rim, shoots it, and… it rolls off the back of the rim.

Groans emanate from the crowd.

Now, with a quiet audience and a chance to get within two points, Harris spins the ball, bounces it off the floor, looks at the rim, shoots it, and… barely catches the front of the iron.

The ball skews left, snatched up by a Toronto jersey, and Devin Harris hands the Utah Jazz their second loss in a row on their own court.

My mind is officially made up at this point: Kevin O’Connor, get this guy outta here!

The Utah Jazz’s starting point guard is averaging 9.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds this year. An indisputable failure thus far, every statistical category is lower than his career average.

He has successfully provided two losses at home due to horrific climax moments down the stretch. And, while some may leap to his defense, no point guard in this league should be exempt from criticism after such performances; Devin Harris is no exception.

Since day one, he has not fit well in the Jazz’s offense. He has had disputes with coaches, players, and staff. He has taken a back seat to 32-year-old Earl Watson, and has simply not been the player he needs to be.

We need a replacement, and one name seems imprinted at the back of my mind: D.J. Augustin.

Augustin is averaging 13.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.1 boards this year, and the 3-year pro out of the University of Texas is having a career season. In the Bobcats’ wins, D.J. is averaging 16.3 points and 8.3 assists. With the Bobcats drafting Kemba Walker, Augustin seems more attainable than ever.

A swap of Devin Harris and D.J. Augustin would benefit not only the Jazz, but the Bobcats’ young core of players also. The difference between Augustin’s and Walker’s games is like the difference between night and day, which makes it difficult for D.J. to be a mentor.

On the other hand, there are plenty of similarities in Harris’ and Walker’s games. They’re both quick, stealthy, and dynamic. Devin Harris has plenty of experience, and anyone can see that he would be a perfect fit in the Bobcats’ upbringing of Kemba Walker.

So… one more time:

Kevin O’Connor, Get us D.J. AUGUSTIN!

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Broox Anderson
Lead Editor/Writer
Purple and Blues | A Utah Jazz Site

Twitter: @BrooxAnderson
Facebook: Purple and Blues
Email: brxanderson@gmail.com
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I did not see this coming! Collectively, the Utah Jazz are doing most everything right right now. After sputtering in December, the Jazz have won seven of their last eight games. In January they’ve limited opponents to an average 89.1 points per game. A big factor in this is that Utah is making defense a priority. They beat Denver in Denver at a time when Denver was shooting 55.1 percent. They look sharp in their rotations and are getting in position in stellar fashion. On the other end of the court, five times in twelve games they’ve scored 100 or more points. (Jefferson and Millsap averaged 21.75 and 18 points respectively in those games.) In short, Utah has come together much better and faster than I ever would have guessed they would.

If Utah can maintain this momentum, anything is possible. With that said, I cannot foresee the tight race in the West loosening between now and May. The Lakers and Dallas are two teams that I believe are playing below their potential and will undoubtedly improve as the season moves on. The Spurs are where I’d have guessed, and the Clippers…only time will tell if Griffin and company can pull anything together long-term. They’re three games behind the Jazz and they play the way you’d expect them to play night-to-night. They had big losses to the Spurs and Chicago in December, and then they squeaked out victories to teams like Milwaukee and Portland in January.

Western Conf as of Jan 16, 2012

D-Harris Must Step Up with Watson Out

by Broox Anderson

Utah Jazz Point Guard Devin Harris looks on after Utah's overtime loss to the Lakers.

RICHFIELD, UT — 8:20 A.M. — Jazz fan-favorite Earl Watson will undergo an MRI today (Thursday) to better diagnose the knee injury he suffered during Wednesday’s game vs the Lakers. Watson, a strong leader on the court, is the type of player who compels his team to play better when he–a 6’1″ 10-year veteran–takes to the floor.  Earl averaged 3.3 points and 4.3 assists in 20.3 minutes per game before he suffered a knee sprain on Wednesday.

Devin Harris and Jamaal Tinsley remain as the healthy point guards. Harris, noticeably struggling thus far, is a far cry from where he needs to be. Devin holds averages of 8.7 points, 4.5 assists, and a frightening 2.3 turnovers per game while shooting a field goal percentage of .347 and a three-point percentage of .324. Harris’ stats have not been this atrocious since his rookie and sophomore years in the league.

We’ve all seen how Devin Harris can play–how he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, move the ball and orchestrate an offense, defend the ball with aggression, play with confidence, and fight for every win.

This year, though, it just isn’t there. The competitiveness isn’t there. The passion isn’t there. There haven’t even been glimpses of his former self!

Now, with Watson injured and no one else there to take the reigns, it’s time for Devin Harris to step up.

The Jazz need more point production, ball movement, facilitation, leadership, and defense from Harris. On the other hand, Jamaal Tinsley now has a chance to prove himself. He’ll be sorely needed at the backup point guard spot, and will have the opportunity to play with Jazz’s youthful second unit.

It’s sad to think about it, but maybe Watson’s injury is just what the Jazz needed to push Harris back into form.

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Broox Anderson
Lead Editor/Writer
Purple and Blues | A Utah Jazz Site

Twitter: @BrooxAnderson
Facebook: Purple and Blues
Email: brxanderson@gmail.com
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We are currently looking for multiple writers to add to our Utah Jazz coverage on Purple and Blues. This is a great opportunity for aspiring sports writers!

To apply for the positions, head on over and fill out the FanSided writing application!

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