Joe Harris and Kyrie Irving are linking up for the second time in their careers after two seasons together in Cleveland.
Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris represent two pieces of the puzzle for the Brooklyn Nets. Harris’ development into a tremendous role player is something that drew Irving to Brooklyn.
The All-Star point guard couldn’t say enough about Brooklyn’s player development and more specifically, the player Joe Harris has become. Irving says he knew he saw something special in Harris during their time together in Cleveland.
“What better place to do it than Brooklyn with all these guys that have worked their tails off to be where they are now,” Irving told reporters at media day on Friday. “To be even in position here in Brooklyn, they’ve developed a Joe Harris. Joe Harris got drafted by Cleveland. I knew Joe was going to be special enough to be a great piece for a team right when I saw him.
“But like I said, roles in Cleveland, we were a championship team in Cleveland at that time. Joe couldn’t play on our team at that time. That’s just the reality so Brooklyn gave him a chance and an opportunity and now he’s performing.”
GOAT hours only pic.twitter.com/7YqEQCIlDI
— Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) September 27, 2019
Harris only played garbage-time minutes during the 2015 playoffs when he was with the Cavaliers, but the experience of playing for such a successful group should help him in the future.
As Irving states, Harris needed the chance and opportunity Brooklyn gave him. Now he appears ready to be a crucial piece on a roster with championship aspirations.
Irving and Harris have the makings of a dynamic on-court pairing. The shifty ballhandler is one of the best penetrators in the league and Harris is a master at finding open space on the perimeter. The former Cavs should be fun to watch as a tandem in Brooklyn this season.
