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Cavaliers: Harris' hold on last roster spot was strong
Published: Thursday, October 21, 2010
By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com
Manny Harris has been the talk of Cavaliers training camp.
The flashy guard from the University of Michigan beat out 2009 second-round draft pick Danny Green for the final spot on the 15-man roster.
Harris, a 6-foot-5, 185-pounder, has the body type of Larry Hughes — long, sleek and wiry strong.
If he defends like the former Cavs guard in his heyday, he'll endear himself with the coaching staff.
Green was waived after the Cavs' 111-95 preseason victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Harris, 21, said he's having the time of his life.
"It's just fun," he said. "I'm really excited to come here and play. This was one of my favorite teams since I was growing up. I really liked LeBron (James)."
No one will hold that against him. The Cavs' scouting staff identified Harris as an intriguing prospect in the 2010 NBA draft. He went undrafted after he sprained his left ankle in a predraft workout in New Jersey.
Harris said he doesn't know why he wasn't selected.
"I'm not in the front office of (any) team," he said. "I know I could have helped myself a lot more."
He averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in his three-year Michigan career and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection.
"I went (into the draft) not knowing what would happen," Harris said. "After I had the injury, I didn't have a feel for anything. I didn't know. I was blindsided."
The Cavs (5-2 in the preseason) invited him to Las Vegas for summer league, but he was extremely limited because of the injury.
"It was an honor they brought me in," Harris said. "I appreciated it.
"I tested my ankle in the second game (in Las Vegas). I only played a minute or two and just shut it down."
Still, the Cavs brought Harris to training camp, and he's been quite impressive. Heading into the final preseason game against Milwaukee at Value City Arena in Columbus at 7 tonight, he's averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five games.
"My ankle is not 100 percent," Harris said. "I'm capable of doing a little bit more."
He describes his game as being a "do-it-all" guard.
"I can score, defend, get assists and rebound," Harris said. "I'm working to become a great defender."
Green said he played poorly in the first two preseason games, which might have sealed his fate.
"The biggest thing is being confident," he said recently. "If you are not confident and you're second-guessing yourself, you're not going to look very good. That's what I was doing the first two games.
"I'm trying to become more confident, more assertive and more aggressive. There's not much I can do about it other than do my job and do the things I can control."
Green's weaknesses were exploited in Coach Byron Scott's Princeton offense. He was forced to handle the ball more, which was not a strong point, and he could never get in any kind of rhythm with his perimeter jumper. Not being a great athlete to begin with, it was time for the Cavs to move on.
Green seemed to see the writing on the wall on Monday.
"Anything can happen in this business," he said. "In the two years I've been here, I've seen some of my teammates waived, traded, etc. Anything can happen on any given day.
"Whatever happens, happens. It's not my decision."
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/10/21/sports/nh3190107.txt
Published: Thursday, October 21, 2010
By Bob Finnan
RFinnan@News-Herald.com
Manny Harris has been the talk of Cavaliers training camp.
The flashy guard from the University of Michigan beat out 2009 second-round draft pick Danny Green for the final spot on the 15-man roster.
Harris, a 6-foot-5, 185-pounder, has the body type of Larry Hughes — long, sleek and wiry strong.
If he defends like the former Cavs guard in his heyday, he'll endear himself with the coaching staff.
Green was waived after the Cavs' 111-95 preseason victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Harris, 21, said he's having the time of his life.
"It's just fun," he said. "I'm really excited to come here and play. This was one of my favorite teams since I was growing up. I really liked LeBron (James)."
No one will hold that against him. The Cavs' scouting staff identified Harris as an intriguing prospect in the 2010 NBA draft. He went undrafted after he sprained his left ankle in a predraft workout in New Jersey.
Harris said he doesn't know why he wasn't selected.
"I'm not in the front office of (any) team," he said. "I know I could have helped myself a lot more."
He averaged 17 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in his three-year Michigan career and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection.
"I went (into the draft) not knowing what would happen," Harris said. "After I had the injury, I didn't have a feel for anything. I didn't know. I was blindsided."
The Cavs (5-2 in the preseason) invited him to Las Vegas for summer league, but he was extremely limited because of the injury.
"It was an honor they brought me in," Harris said. "I appreciated it.
"I tested my ankle in the second game (in Las Vegas). I only played a minute or two and just shut it down."
Still, the Cavs brought Harris to training camp, and he's been quite impressive. Heading into the final preseason game against Milwaukee at Value City Arena in Columbus at 7 tonight, he's averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five games.
"My ankle is not 100 percent," Harris said. "I'm capable of doing a little bit more."
He describes his game as being a "do-it-all" guard.
"I can score, defend, get assists and rebound," Harris said. "I'm working to become a great defender."
Green said he played poorly in the first two preseason games, which might have sealed his fate.
"The biggest thing is being confident," he said recently. "If you are not confident and you're second-guessing yourself, you're not going to look very good. That's what I was doing the first two games.
"I'm trying to become more confident, more assertive and more aggressive. There's not much I can do about it other than do my job and do the things I can control."
Green's weaknesses were exploited in Coach Byron Scott's Princeton offense. He was forced to handle the ball more, which was not a strong point, and he could never get in any kind of rhythm with his perimeter jumper. Not being a great athlete to begin with, it was time for the Cavs to move on.
Green seemed to see the writing on the wall on Monday.
"Anything can happen in this business," he said. "In the two years I've been here, I've seen some of my teammates waived, traded, etc. Anything can happen on any given day.
"Whatever happens, happens. It's not my decision."
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/10/21/sports/nh3190107.txt