Harrison continues his upward trend
Second-year guard is back after wrist injury
PHILADELPHIA — A wrist injury put Andrew Harrison on the shelf for nine straight games, but the ailment didn’t interrupt the positive momentum he’s played with since the All-Star break.
The Grizzlies’ second-year guard showed that during his return from a nearly three-week layoff. Harrison shined Monday with his all-around play as the Grizzlies began a three-game road trip against the Brooklyn Nets.
Memphis suffered a 118-115 loss but Harrison provided a small victory for a team that’s squarely focused on the development of its young players. His 19point, eight-assist outing without a turnover added to Harrison’s progression toward establishing consistency with his game.
In his previous five games, Harrison averaged 17.6 points, five assists and 1.4 turnovers.
“It felt good to compete, get out there with my teammates and try hard to get a win,” Harrison said. “We’re just trying to get wins, I’m not worried about me.”
Harrison, 23, has long shed doubts about his status as a rotation NBA player. He emerged from the NBA Development League after being selected late in the 2015 draft to winning a backup role over former 2016 first-round pick Wade Baldwin.
Critics counted out Harrison because of the team’s investment in Baldwin and with veteran Mario Chalmers returning to the roster.
Harrison, though, keeps earning trust from the Grizzlies’ coaching staff with his steady hand on offense, and rugged, hard-nosed defense.
“It’s amazing what guys can do when they have confidence in themselves and their teammates are picking them up,” Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s been given an opportunity and he’s taking advantage of that opportunity. You’ve got to respect a guy like that.”
Bickerstaff has often referenced a profanity-laced tongue-lashing he gave Harrison following a loss Feb. 6 at Atlanta. Harrison responded by taking out his frustration from that conversation on the opponents.
His poise and basketball IQ, along with a 6-foot-6 frame have allowed Harrison to overcome a lack of foot speed to be an effective combo guard.
Harrison also helps his cause with improved shooting.
He’s advanced from a 32.5 percent overall shooter as a rookie to shooting 42 percent this season. Harrison appears less hesitant to pull the trigger from three-point range where he’s connecting at a 34-percent clip this season.
“I just try to take what the defense gives me even though I’m still making some mistakes,” Harrison said. “My teammates have faith in me and that means a lot.”
Harrison will be the first to say that his goals haven’t changed.
At this rate, he’ll continue to earn playing time and respect.