With the team already sending Dion Waiters to the bench to add an extra scoring spark, there are rumblings that rookie shooting guard Joe Harris might soon become a more prominent fixture in the team’s rotation.
The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting, through a source close to the Cavs, that a switch to the starting lineup could be coming in the very near future, and with the way Joe Harris has played in the last few games it can’t come soon enough.
Harris has shown great poise and a team-first attitude when he is on the court. His defense has been sensational especially in a wild 122-121 win over the Boston Celtics Friday. The guard kept Avery Bradley in check most of the night and contributed to the Rajon Rondo meltdown in the game’s final seconds.
His offense has been just as effective. While not scoring big points for the team, Harris has hit shots at the right times. During the team’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans he took it upon himself to give the team momentum going into the half.
With the first half winding down Harris put the ball on the ground, drove to the basket and scored the buzzer – beater shot. It says a lot about a player, let alone a rookie, when you have the confidence to take the ball strong to the hoop as the clock winds down.
However, the biggest part about Harris has been his shooting.
At the University of Virginia, Harris, a marksman at the three-point line, shot 40 percent from deep.
This season he has shown little fear launching from long-range. His three against the Boston Celtics were one of the main catalysts in the Cavs big fourth quarter comeback.
As a result of his fearless play, coach David Blatt has shown confidence in the rookie. Blatt has used Harris down the stretch over players such as Mike Miller and Dion Waiters. However, it’s not just Blatt that has faith in Harris. Lebron James also has a strong feeling about the second round pick, which he stated to the Akron Beacon Journal.
“Joe Harris is going to be a big piece for our team. He is going to have his rookie mistakes, we know that but mistakes can be covered when you play hard. That’s one thing the kid is doing”
With the team in his corner Joe Harris might be one of the more integral pieces on this Cavs roster. Which gives the team one more weapon in their already impressive arsenal.
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