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Gary Harris to be an All-Star

ByPeter Hooper|
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 8: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a photo introducing the new Nike uniforms on August 8, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 8: Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a photo introducing the new Nike uniforms on August 8, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Gary Harris could become an All Star for the Denver Nuggets this season.

According to Christopher Dempsey, who covers the Denver Nuggets for www.nba.com, Gary Harris will be an All-Star this year (https://on.nba.com/2Mdky49). It is a highly rational prediction that may well come true.

After all, Harris’ performance last year already had some voices calling for Harris to be nominated. https://nugglove.com/2018/01/15/gary-harris-deserves-star/ (https://bit.ly/2NZamhl).

With next year being Harris’ 5th, it has even been predicted that Harris’ All-Star selection has historical precedent. With the 5th year often being a breakthrough year for NBA players, e.g. Bradley Beal, Kobe Bryant, Clyde Drexler, Victor Oladipo etc (https://bit.ly/2Qh9ENV).

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All-Star Voting

However, currently a major factor affecting All-Star selection is always market location and size. With players from big markets, with fervent supporters often getting voted ahead of other players that simply produced better numbers. With Lonzo Ball getting more votes than Jimmy Butler (https://on.nba.com/2O3ygs2). Moreover, Lonzo even passed Damian Lillard in fan voting (https://bit.ly/2MayQTe). However, in order to address this, the NBA has since implemented the ‘Zaza rules’ (https://usat.ly/2wVuwlU). This is where fan voting is balanced out by player and select media voting (https://usat.ly/2wVuwlU).

That sounds like a win for NBA players in general as it re-tips the balance back in favor of quality of play. Particularly, valuable to players playing in smaller markets (like Gary Harris). Currently, despite being one of the NBA’s elite 3 and D players (https://bit.ly/2MepKF1), he is still unknown to much of the NBA’s fan base (https://nugglove.com/2018/07/23/gary-harris-ready-breakout/).

There is one sure-fire way of changing that of course. Simply put, Harris needs to keep on doing what he has been. So apart from the historic precedent of 5th year breakouts, why should we expect one from Harris?

Gary is a Leader

Character-wise, the biggest reason to expect a breakout from Harris is the fact that he is a leader (https://bit.ly/2QdRhd3). Whilst it is true that Paul Millsap is an integral piece of the Denver Nuggets defense. The same is true for Gary Harris (on both sides of the floor) as well, both vocally and by example (https://bit.ly/2QdRhd3). A key, mandatory characteristic that all leaders share is an ineluctable inner-drive that pushes both them and subsequently their teammates to keep moving forward.

You can easily see the evidence of that push and drive to get better in the Harris’ yearly increase in total points per game (3.4, 12.3, 14.9 and 17.5) (https://bit.ly/2wUZwCE). Moreover, the success Harris and the Nuggets have already had has like already whetted Gary’s appetite for more. Being able to dominate the game on both sides of the floor is a powerful feeling. Especially because it often comes along with the knowledge that doing so leads to a lot of games being won. In short, Harris has all the motivation in the world to ensure that next year is his best to date.

So, why next year?

Why should we expect Harris to be an All-Star next year? As alluded to above, those in the know were already thinking All-Star in terms of Gary Harris last year. Admittedly making an All-Star team out West is a little challenging to say the least. However, Gary Harris is already elite at what he does. Whether you’re looking at him as a 3 and D player or shooting guard.

"“Among NBA shooting guards Harris ranked 11th in points per game (17.5), fourth in field goal percentage (48.5), 13th in 3-point percentage (39.6) and 3rd in steals (122).” (https://on.nba.com/2Mdky49)"

Frankly, Gary Harris would do well to take a leaf out of Kobe Bryant’s book (https://bit.ly/2O1Ze3o). Guaranteeing the rest of the NBA knows and never forgets his name by consistently being one of the main reasons they lose. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve got a funny feeling he might know how to do that.

Next year could very well be the season he makes his name known to the rest of the NBA.

Denver Nuggets fans are in for a treat.

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