Harpring Fights To Turn Back The Clock

Posted by James Seaman on February 25, 2009

When Matt Harpring came to Philadelphia from Orlando early in his career, the Sixers’ strength coach didn’t bother to develop a weight training program for his new forward. Harpring, ever resourceful, had been using his own regimen since high school—a workout designed to build his football strength. The Georgia native used a relentless, homemade routine to maximize his body’s output and become one of the toughest players in the league.

As surely as every great race horse eventually outlives the strength and explosiveness of its own body, the Jazz will soon have to send #15 out to pasture. Yet the thoroughbred who competes with the fire and spirit of Jerry Sloan seems to have turned back the clock and bought himself some amount of precious additional time. During the first half of the season, Harpring’s once-youthful gifts seemed to have become what Kipling would have called worn-out tools. Recently, however, Harpring has reminded Jazz fans just how vital he is to the team’s success. Sloan stuck with Harpring down the stretch against Boston, asking him to guard Paul Pierce. Harpring’s toughness and physicality gave the Jazz an advantage, just like it always has.

In a season of injuries and unmet expectations, Harpring’s apparent demise meant far more than many fans realized. Missed games from Boozer, Okur, Kirilenko, Williams, and Millsap have prevented the Jazz from finding their normal rhythm and achieving the success of the last two seasons. But the loss of Harpring’s minutes and productivity has cost the Jazz a crucial, almost immeasurable element of toughness. As much as any player, Harpring gives the Jazz their intangible edge.

Consider that during the last two season’s—which saw Utah reach the Conference Finals and Semifinals, respectively—Harpring played 26 and then 18 minutes a night. This season he has averaged just 11 . The Jazz’s braintrust undoubtedly anticipated this when they re-signed C.J. Miles during the offseason. The contrast between Harpring and Miles appears stark at times as C.J. possesses more athletic ability and a prettier jumpshot while lacking the strength and toughness of his older teammate. Miles has underwhelmed observers this year with his lackluster rebounding, defense, and away-from-the-ball movement. Over the years, Hapring has squeezed every ounce of ability from his now-aging frame and used it to achieve his maximum potential. Meanwhile, Miles can do things with his body that Harpring probably never even thought of. Yet Miles will never adequately replace Harpring unless he adopts Matt’s mentality and works to become a better all-around player.

It reminds me of the contrast between Britton Johnson and his older brother Jeff, both former University of Utah basketball players. Jeff used to fight for every rebound and loose ball like it was his last meal, set screens like a football player, and come off them like a Kamikazee pilot. Britton had more size and natural ability than his brother, yet he did none of the aforementioned things that made Jeff such a great competitor. Arguably the most gifted freshman ever to arrive on campus at the University of Utah, Britton Johnson left as one of the most disappointing and underachieving due to his lack of work ethic, toughness, and killer instinct. Let’s hope this comparison between the brothers Johnson and Harpring-Miles doesn’t maintain its accuracy. If it does, Jazz fans will be missing Matt Harpring far into the future.

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Brian McCann on February 25, 2009 said:

Matt is only 32. Hopefully he can rebound from the early season injury/disappointment and regain some of his agility.

justalars on February 25, 2009 said:

Josh Smith can only thank Korver for getting to Matt before Matt got to Josh. I’ve never seen someone so pissed and rightfully so. He would have knocked him out cold.

canadajazz on February 25, 2009 said:

In the last few games, Matt Harpring has not only made key contributions, he’s been the difference (Boston). Utah’s bench effort can be relentless, and Harpring has impact on defence, on the boards – and lately, with a rather deadly jump shot.
The guy is fun to watch and inspires the team.
It’s great to see Matt playing like his old self, and if he keeps at it, it’s going to mean more wins.
By the way, I happened to catch a summer league game with Hot Rod Hundley doing play-by-play and Harpring doing colour. He had a natural ability for it, a good sense of humour (some kidding at Hot Rod’s expense) and his knowledge of the game was evident.
A broadcast career in the making?

Lisa on February 25, 2009 said:

I liked Matt’s spirit when he went after Smith, we’re known for being a physical team and that was a pretty good example of Matt trying to get physical. You’re completely right justalars. Thanks Korver for keeping Matt from getting ejected as well.

Boondock Saint on February 25, 2009 said:

I’ve always loved Harpring. I think he brings that toughness to the team and seems to be able to push and shove and still come back to the other end of the floor and have enough poise to hit his jumpshot off the curl. In contrast, some of the hot heads that Matt gets to guard, I’m thinking particularly of Carmelo and Dirk, can’t handle the bumping and physical play and subsequently commit stupid fouls and generally (sometimes they go off) have poor offensive nights. I do agree with justalars though…Josh Smith is lucky Korver got in the way.

Eric on February 25, 2009 said:

Matt rocks, nuff said!

J R Stewart on February 25, 2009 said:

This is similar to last year, where Matt was out and recovering for the 1st half of the year, only to give the final push, at full strength, in the last half of the year.
He was a key then and now.

Jazzaholic

Julie on February 25, 2009 said:

I agree, Eric. Matt rocks big time. Even though it would have meant Matt getting ejected, maybe Josh Smith should have been let known just who he was dealing with.

jessielou on February 25, 2009 said:

Justalars, I totally agree. Smith should be thanking Korver for saving his life : ) Matty is an amazing player and an asset to the team.

treepeople on February 25, 2009 said:

In my opinion he Matt Harpring is one of the toughest hardest working player in the n.b.a. Just look how clean cut he is and how well he handles himself. He does not get the credit he deserves. Jerry should use him as a starter all the time and not a bench player, He always brings the team back and then he goes to the bench “why”. We need more Harpring players from the Jazz so we can win a championship. Again thanks Kyle for saving Josh Smith.

CC on February 26, 2009 said:

Matt is more effective off the bench in the same way AK is………. we have a great starting line-up … their job is to get the ball and game in motion but as the motion becomes routine i.e. fouls being called on every play and an over abundance of turnovers, Coach Sloan brings in the bench … their job is to change the routine … mix things up and get more ball moving into the basket…..once the momentum has shifted back into a scoring game their job is done and they get the deserved rest until later in the game they are needed again……….our bench has proven to pull us up before the half and then once again in the 4th quarter………. we win with our bench and we win as a team……….. I love the way Coach Sloan plays the guys and changed the mix in the game…….

John M and Kathy M on March 07, 2009 said:

Look for Matt to be a more significant factor in the playoffs when defense, intelligence and toughness are particularly important. Too bad C.J. doesn’t seem to learn from the tough guy’s example. Miles with a Harpring mindset would be awesome.

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