PG Evaluations: New Jersey

Over the summer, 'Runnin' The Point' will be taking a look at every team's PG situation based on this year and offering an assessment

KEY NUMBER: 15.4 – Points-per-game by mid-season acquisition Devin Harris as a Net, the same guy who never averaged more than 10 per in three-and-a-bit seasons for Dallas. Of course, his role is different in NJ, but for the Nets to turn an ageing Jason Kidd into an improving 24-year old is definitely a good thing.

THE GOOD STUFF: As stated, Harris came in the Kidd deal just after the All-Star break, played in 25 games, immediately took the reigns of a gutted team (who had lost one of the two most influential players in franchise history; Dr J being the other), and played admirably. He scored 20 or more seven times over the final six weeks of the season, this after having just eight all season long in Dallas. Why is this important? With Richard Jefferson gone, Harris, despite being the PG, will be relied on to score more in 2009.

THE BAD STUFF: Well, he is Devin Harris. Let’s not get too carried away here. He’s not on the Paul-Nash-Williams, or even Kidd, level. He has the tendency to be, at times, over-confident, which isn’t a bad thing when you have Dirk Nowitzki behind you, but in New Jersey? He was a much-improved shooter last year, but defenses may forever have the Let this guy shoot instead of drive attitude towards him.

THE BACK-UP: Marcus Williams just hasn’t kicked-on as a professional. Of course, being stuck behind Jason Kidd was never going to reveal great opportunities. He did show flashes during the tiny daylight that passed through after Kidd left and before Harris arrived, including a 25-point game against Chicago, a Kidd-like 8-7-13 line against Indiana, and averages of 11 and six as a starter. Probably needs to make big improvement to retain his spot.

EVALUATION: Harris is a keeper. He does command a high price though, his $50 million contract, signed in the summer of ’07, means he’s locked up until 2013. So, for that, you’d expect more of the improvement that he showed over the final six weeks of the season. For a team actually planning two seasons ahead, and basically eyeing one guy, and one guy only (LBJ!), you’d figure Lawrence Frank will provide Harris plenty of time to get better on a bad team.

ALSO SEE: PG Evaluation Index