Monday, April 26, 1999
'Dying horse' still plods on
Harper enjoys teaching young Bulls
BY MIKE DeCOURCY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
![[harper]](/editions/1999/04/26/harper_180x169.jpg)
This is the final year of Ron Harper's contract. The 13-yer veteran says he would like to stay a Bull.
(AP photo)
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INDIANAPOLIS — It is difficult to believe Ron Harper, in his 13th season since leaving Miami University as the eighth pick in the 1986 NBA draft, plays for the same team as a year ago.
It's still the Chicago Bulls. But Michael Jordan retired. Scottie Pippen was traded to Houston. Phil Jackson left for what is likely to be a one-year sabbatical from coaching. There are six players left from last season, and only Harper, center Bill Wennington and forward Toni Kukoc were significant contributors.
Saturday marked exactly a year since the Bulls won the first of 15 games necessary to claim their sixth NBA championship (and Harper's third). Saturday also marked an 87-69 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Market Square Arena, the Bulls' 33rd loss in 45 games of this truncated season.
“I am having fun,” said Harper, 35. “Even though our team is not having a fun year, I still like playing the game.”
Because of the NBA lockout, Harper did not meet his new coach, Tim Floyd, until the first practice in February. He is playing with four rookies, none of whom was chosen higher than 28th in the draft.
“He could have made my life miserable,” Floyd said. “He's been nothing but supportive. He's been terrific in terms of trying to help sell me to these younger guys, and even to the veteran players.
“I think he's been the consummate professional. Every day, he's meant something not only to me, but to our younger players.”
This is the same Harper who once complained a season spent with the Los Angeles Clippers was a winter spent “in jail.” And then again, it isn't. That player was many years younger and three championship rings poorer.
Harper learned to be a champion in the company of Jordan and Pippen, and now he is sharing those lessons with players who may never lead such a team, but may one day contribute to its success. One of Floyd's first acts as Bulls coach was to name Harper captain.
“It's tough sometimes going in there, going in the gym, but this is my job and I love my job,” Harper said. “This team, we have some players that need to learn how the game is supposed to be played, so I'm out there trying to show them how we play basketball.
“This is my basketball team, I feel, so if I go out there and don't play hard, they see I'm not, and they think they can do the same thing.”
In the second quarter against the Pacers, Harper seized upon a mismatch against Indiana forward Derrick McKey. Harper scored with a drive down the left side of the lane and a left-handed scoop shot off the backboard. Then, he split a double-team at the foul line and completed a layup. He put McKey away for good when Chicago cleared out for him one more time and Harper drew a foul. Six of his 10 points came in the second period.
Harper was less productive offensively, but perhaps even more elegant as Chicago marched toward its third-quarter collapse. Along the left sideline, he leaped to save the ball to a teammate, then danced back in bounds to catch a pass that started a fast break. He dove head-first for a loose ball despite the nose he broke just two weeks earlier.
“I can breathe some, at times, and sometimes I can't breathe,” Harper said. He played all but 31.6 seconds of the period.
“Harp is a competitor,” said Bulls rookie Cory Carr. “I think more than anything, he knows how to win. He's used to playing with guys that understand how to win, understand how to play. We're young. He's trying to teach us as he goes.
“As he makes plays, he comes over to the bench, sits down with us, tells us, "Did you see what I did?' Or "Did you see what I didn't do?' Or, "You see what happens when you don't do this, when you make this mistake?' He's a teacher, as well.”
Harper has missed 16 games because of various injuries: a hamstring strain, a hyperextended right knee, a dislocated left finger, a sprained right knee. The nose cost him four games.
Aside from his professionalism, Harper's greatest contribution remains as a defender. In games against the Pacers, he's been assigned to defend Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson and, on this night, Chris Mullin.
He gets more shot opportunities than last year — “For obvious reasons,” Floyd said. Third among the Bulls with 10.4 points per game, Harper is not the scorer he was during his early years with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and never has been a great shooter, but with Kukoc injured, there are few other options.
“I think all guys like to put up shots,” Floyd said. “We had to have shot attempts come from someplace, and he was a logical guy to go to, given where we are right now. His legs aren't what they once were, but he is still and extremely effective player.
“The younger guys ... they've seen him play hurt. They know he should probably not be on the floor, playing with a broken nose. He's one of the toughest guys that I've ever been around.”
This is the final year of Harper's contract with the Bulls, but he is not planning an escape even with the immediate future grim. He loves playing in Chicago and is eager to see if general manager Jerry Krause wants to retain him.
“If he's going to give me a deal, I'm staying in Chicago. But if not, I'm going to have to check and see,” Harper said. “I'm a dying horse. I've been in the league 13 years. You just don't see players playing that long.
“I feel very good. I don't think heath-wise I'd have to stop playing. As long as I keep having fun, keep going out there and enjoying myself, I'm going to keep playing. If it isn't fun, I'm going to stop.”
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![[harper]](/editions/1999/04/26/harper_550x515.jpg)