Malone: Devin Harris perfect acquisition for young Nuggets

HOU STON» Nuggets coach Michael Malone first met Devin Harris at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in 2009, when Malone was part of the coaching staff for the Eastern Conference team that included Harris.

Even during pregame practices that are notoriously “a joke,” Malone was impressed with Harris’ quickness with the ball. But the coach most remembers the appreciation Harris showed as a firsttime all-star surrounded by the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

The text messages Malone received Thursday from members of the Dallas Mavericks’ coaching staff confirmed Harris’ attitude hasn’t changed. Denver acquired Harris in a trade-deadline deal to bring his steady on-court production and veteran leadership to a team in the hunt for a playoff berth.

“You get a guy in Devin Harris who has the experience, the character, who fits into the culture that we’re trying to create,” Malone said Friday.

Malone didn’t believe the Nuggets needed to make any drastic moves at the trade deadline, citing the way his team has jelled during its stretch of six wins in eight games entering Friday night’s game in Houston. But their young roster was youngest at point guard. A 20-year-old Jamal Murray was backed by a 21-year-old Emmanuel Mudiay, who was traded to New York as part of a three-team deal.

In Harris, the Nuggets add a 34year-old ball handler with more than 60 games of playoff experience, including a 2006 NBA Finals appearance. Additionally, his versatility and attacking style should mesh well with Denver’s offense getting back to its free-flowing, high-scoring ways of last season. Harris, 34, averaged 8.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 18.3 minutes per game for Dallas this season while backing up dynamic rookie Dennis Smith Jr.

“He’s going to come in and be able to help us in these close games,” Malone said. “As these games start to take on more and more meaning and the pressure starts to ramp up, well, you have a guy now that’s been through it and knows what it takes. That’s always invaluable for a young team like us.”

Backup forward Darrell Arthur said of Harris: “He’ll fit in perfectly. He’s a guy that plays a fastpaced game, kind of like what we play right now. He’s still very crafty and he’s a weapon.”

Harris could join the Nuggets in Phoenix on Saturday, though it’s more likely that he will make his debut at Tuesday’s home game against San Antonio.