From Deseret News archives:
Healthy Harpring keeps focus on the long haul
For purely precautionary reasons, however, the Jazz's veteran forward will not fully participate in both sessions of training camp during two-a-days this week.
"I can, but we're still going to be smart about this," said Harpring, whose right knee was repaired via microfracture surgery in 2004 and again in 2005. "The goal here is the long haul. We all know that, and the Jazz have been great with me (about) it. The knee feels good right now, but we don't want to do something ... stupid with it."
Harpring did not practice Tuesday night, as planned, and Jazz trainer Gary Briggs said the 30-year-old won't go all-out this morning either. In fact, Harpring's two-a-day days probably are done forever.
Yet after signing a lucrative multiyear deal in the offseason, one in which he'll earn full pay only if he takes part in an undisclosed number of games over a three-year period, the Georgia Tech product feels as good as he has health-wise in what seems like forever.
Late in August, Harpring began playing pickup games with other NBA players near his Atlanta-area home.
"This is the first chance he's had to play basketball in the summer in two or three years," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "He looks healthier, he looks happier, and those things should make for a good year for him."
That's a leap from last season, when Harpring frequently skipped games played on back-to-back nights.
"We had to baby him along all the way through whenever he was playing," Sloan said. "I think the biggest thing with Matt is he never really did get into a rhythm, and then he had his contract to be concerned about."
This season, Briggs said, it's anticipated medical matters will result in no limits whatsoever being placed on Harpring's regular-season minutes.
POINTING TO BREWER: He was drafted out of the University of Arkansas as a swingman. But it appears Jazz 2006 first-rounder Ronnie Brewer will get a look at the point as camp unfolds, with a possibility for minutes at that position along with shooting guard and small forward.
"I don't know if Brewer can play point guard or not," Sloan said. "Those are things we have to look at, and try to evaluate as much as possible."
Comments
- Lakers booed at home in loss 12:53 a.m.
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full 12:51 a.m.
- TCU stuck at fourth in BCS 12:50 a.m.
- Students from abroad come to Utah 12:26 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:18 a.m.
- Sports briefs 12:17 a.m.
- Editorial: Red flags at Fort Hood 12:14 a.m.
- Rid Capitol Hill of 'roaches' 12:14 a.m.
- Health proposal not 'reform' 12:14 a.m.
- Afterthoughts 12:14 a.m.
- BYU happy to escape with victory
230 - TCU creams U.
225 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
206 - Will state consider gay rights law?
149 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
125 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
97 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
88
No, students are NOT safe from predators. If a parent wants to make sure...
If you really think Mormon's are mainstream, you must not have paid attention...
I don't see the schools presidents voting to get rid of WYM or NM, even...
why people complain about how football is covered by the media too much. when...
A little perspective is not a bad thing. Notice the Cougar's won loss record...
I actually was encouraged by some aspects of the game. Any Utah fan who has...
A story about Mormons as minorities? In this paper? Get over the "victim"...
she was an awesome woman someone i looked up to when i was younger she was...
Wow you just made one of the dumbest comments I've heard yet. Fire Bronco????...
Re: Huh?, You like many other haters are probably oblivious to many obvious...

You can be the first to comment on this story.