Why Joe Harris Wins Three Point Contest Means All For Brooklyn

Head Coach Kenny Atkinson was hired in 2016 to train players and coach a team of unnamed players. Joe Harris, one of the players looking for a second chance after two years with the Cleveland Cavaliers and their GLC affiliate, Canton Charge, was among the players.

In 47 seasons, Harris (47% beyond the arc) is the second highest number in the NBA. After a process that took longer than expected, Harris was invited to participate in the three-point contest against some of the best shooters in the NBA.

"He gives [me] goosebumps make you emotional, "said Atkinson recently.

The "outsider" Harris heard little screaming when he was announced on stage. Her radiant beard, her eyes showing no sign of anxiety. The scene, the glory … it was not his time. His time came when it was just him, a rack of basketballs and a hoop to shoot.

Harris then won the three-point competition, becoming the first network to win the competition. He also set a record for most points scored (51) since setting up the 34-point format in 2015. His 25 points in the first round were good enough to win him a spot against Steph Curry and Buddy Hield at the time. last round.

"I'm just lucky to be here," Harris said after the win. "We were talking about it, the terrain was obviously stacked. You have some of the best shooters of all time at Dirk and Steph. Great shooters in their own regard. Just honored to be here, honored to compete with everyone. "

Harris knocked out the crowd by hitting 16 of his last 20 balls, including five in a row on his last silver ball rack. His 26 points were too much for the crowd favorite, Steph Curry, to defeat after missing a silver ball before sending him to a decisive game.

After the match, Harris grabbed Curry and respectfully said, "I thought we were going to be so decisive, man," while Curry was laughing and leaving, something that was probably forgotten in a few minutes for the former player the most useful of the moment. winning time of the finals.

But that means something different in Brooklyn.

It means everything.

That's all they've done since Sean Marks and Atkinson took over. Until recently, few people looked at the Nets or knew their story – Shaquille O'Neal admitted after the contest that he had never even heard of Harris. Marks and Atkinson came in order to train strong players in melee and develop a respectable culture through them. Unknown people like Harris were welcomed.

"Some guys come in right now and can contribute," says Harris. "But you look at the makeup of our Brooklyn Nets team and that's a lot of guys who were fired and had a second chance. Personally, I was one of those guys. "

Last year, it was former G Leaguer, who became star Spencer Dinwiddie in the skills competition. This year, Joe Harris is participating in the three-point competition. The Marks team spots them and the Atkinson team develops them. The rest is part of the family.

The focus on family. The Nets are a tight-knit organization built on a culture of high character. They are proud of themselves.

"Joe Harris … thinking about his home country, Cleveland, not part of the league. Now he's starting for us, signed an excellent contract and he's now with the league snipers in the 3-point shooting competition, "said Atkinson.

Harris spent two years at the end of the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played 51 games in total with the big leagues club and 21 with the G League affiliate in Canton. Then he faced the worst scenario for a marginal player in the NBA.

It's January 12, 2016. The day began with a foot operation, followed by a phone call that he had been traded to Orlando Magic. The Magic renounced Harris and he was suddenly unemployed … for six months.

That's when Brooklyn assistant coach Bret Brelmaier, a former Cleveland assistant, mentioned Harris's name when Marks and Atkinson were building the list.

And so, the Nets brought Harris – an unnamed player who had very little credibility in the league to place high hopes on him. Atkinson told Harris that the Nets wanted him to become their version of Kyle Korver. People, including Harris himself, apparently began to scratch their heads. Shortly after, the Nets staged media day with each player at a table.

Nobody spoke to Joe.

He flew under the radar while the Nets struggled to win 20 games. Harris took the opportunity and shot the ball at 39% in 22 minutes per game. The following summer, Harris's table was filled with journalists.

He is invited to give his individual goal for the coming season.

"40% of three," says Harris.

He hit 42 percent of three.

Suddenly, Harris had become a household name and a poster for the organization. He took a discount and signed a two-year contract worth $ 16 million to stay with the Nets. He has taken on leadership roles because, "The culture we have here … you know what to expect, you know what the coaches and the wicket want you," said Harris at the end of September .

His 42% clip has turned into a 47% game in 59 games this season, while playing a vital role in the Brooklyn playoff offer. You can say he is one of the most improved players in the NBA, with average points, rebounds, assists, percentage of free throws and three points on average in the career.

The hidden ego of Harris is a good thing in Brooklyn, but can play against him. He was hardly invited to the three-point event. The NBA took the time to select Harris for the three-point contest, choosing the Curry brothers to compete in their hometown. Then they were right to have Devin Booker come back to defend his title. Then they brought in Damian Lillard and, for the sake of the good old days, Dirk Nowitzki was invited.

Netters began a long campaign tweeting at the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver. The Brooklyn Nets Social Account has produced a nifty video to show Joe's craft to the public, anywhere, anytime.

Some fans have threatened to take matters into their own hands.

Finally, the announcement was made with less than two weeks late. The man who started with nothing had become something. Then, in front of a national audience, he beat the Curry brothers, first Seth, then Steph. Shaq, who admitted he did not know Harris, added that during the contest, Harris had not changed his expression. No smile Focus only. He came to win, said Shaq.

But if you look at the Nets with regularity, you are not in the least surprised that Joe "Buckets" Harris is the champion of the three points in 2019. Back in Brooklyn, it remains the display and the development. These things are appreciated for a specific reason. With a common goal, guys like Dinwiddie and Harris have improved the team, the culture … and their individual games.

This is Brooklyn's biggest argument for free agents to come, and that's why Joe Harris is so important: he embodies everything about Brooklyn Nets.

"It's good when guys get individual honors like this. It helps the program, "said Atkinson less than two weeks ago. "I think the other guys in the league have airs [at Joe Harris] and say, "Come to Brooklyn and you will have the opportunity to do it."