With training camp set to begin next week, this week is a time to get out some final thoughts before the players actually hit the court as a team. 
As the Lee and Robinson sagas have stretched all the way into late September and the buzz continues to grow around second and third year players, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler, one player that I cannot help but mention yet again is Al Harrington, a player who I believe can be this team’s best player and leader.
When Al Harrington was brought to New York last fall, one of my friends called me and wrote the trade off as a pure salary dump for the future. He failed to see what Harrington could actually bring to the New York table. I told him to wait and watch what Harrington could do before placing the immediate scapegoat tag on his forehead. After a few games, my friend’s attitude changed.
At different points last season, Harrington found himself in the D’Antoni doghouse for his inconsistency. Harrington was demoted to the bench for a stretch of time. But what intrigured me was Harrington’s continuous fire and effort off the bench. Consistent or not, Harrington came to play most of the time.
Earlier in the summer, I said that Harrington was arguably our best player last year. Looking back, I guess what I meant to say is that Harrington has the ability to be this team’s best player. When I think of how disappointing last season was for us fans, I keep going back to the Thunder game in OKC on January 6th. The Knicks came out flat game to say the least, but were able to make a late run, only to fall short in the end. Al Harrington sparked that comeback. He put the entire team on his back and knocked down big trey after big trey.
Hate him or love him, Harrington, at 6’9, 250 lbs., has both the physical attributes and the talents to be a versatile, game changing player. At times last season, he was exactly that. At other times, he fell in love with his three point shot too often and hurt the team with his poor shot selection. Because of both his size and his skill set, I would like to see Harrington step his game up this coming season. Harrington can dribble and can pass, but he does not find the open man enough. Rather than drive and kick, Harrington too often settles for the outside jumper. Harrington has to find way to utilize mismatches and create some shots for his teammmates. Also, I have said this ever since he came to NY and I will say it again here. Al Harrington has to be much more assertive on the glass. Harrington has the ability to grab a rebound on defense and push the ball up the floor in transition. After watching highlights on Charles Barkley, you can see the kind of advantage you can gain from a power forward that can do that. Harrington has to become a better rebounder. Plain and simple.
As much as this season is about the development of Gallo and Chandler, as well as the purging of Jeffries’ and Curry’s contracts, it is also about improving and making the playoffs. If the Knicks make the playoffs, Harrington will play a major role in the team’s success. If the team struggles again this season, Harrington will be one of the players we can point the finger at. Harrington has to step up this season and take the initiative as a leader. I believe in him and I think he can do it, but at the same time, I have to see him do it. Whether as a starter or as a bench player, the Knicks need Al Harrington to come up big.
What are your thoughts? Who do you think has to show up this season (it is not just Harrington… that much is for sure)? What are your expectations of Harrington this season?
** By the way, as the summer winds down and things begin to pick up a bit, I just want to thank all of the readers for their continued support on this site. I have been impressed with the enormous output by the fans this summer, even when things got a little slow in Knick land. Also, the calls into Tommy’s and Rice Ball’s show have been great. Knicks fans are some of the best and most knowledgeable fans, and the supporters of this site prove that. Thanks again.
I am a big Harrington fan. He is an energy guy who reminds me of John Starks. I see him as a game changer off the bench much like Starks. He is a scorer. I don’t see him greatly improving his inside game or his rebounding. He did a good job last year but was put in a position to do too much as there were few scoring options on the team. With some improvement by the other players, Harrington should do just fine. A problem for next season may be getting him to sign a more reasonable contract that will allow him to remain on the team.
See the problem with this team? Chandler, Gallo, Harrington – the three best players are all Small forwards. And the big hope for the future? Of course another one with Lebron.
You’re welcome Chris, it has been my pleasure.
Great post Chris. Following up on Joe the Knick I have always said. The knicks from the early 90′s were proud to wear orange and blue. I used to love how John Starks used to stand in front of the fans in Indiana and show them the seven letter name of his team. Last year I saw Harrington do that and it made me proud to be a knick fan. I wish we get more players like that. That is why I was not so opposed to seeing Tinsley in town for a year.
Al Harrington “arguably the best player” last season. Mr. Lost in Fourth Quarter? Mr. Anti-Turkoglu? Mr. LAC Rim hanger? Are you sarcastic?
The 2nd rim hanging incident was a terrible call, not Al’s fault.
Starks played more defense than Al.but they both could put up numbers in minutes.If we sign him cheap I’m in for Al to hang.
I am a big Harrington fan as well. I think he is a perfect bench guy, and as long as he doesnt mind being payed like one, will be here in 2010. You gotta love a player who loves being here.
I’ve always been a fan of Harrington since Indiana… he does have the size and skill set to be a very special player (everyone in the media acknowledged that til he got to the Knicks, now they all hate on him…the media hates the knicks but w/e)…he has said all the right thihgs but then again we knick fans hear Championship rhetoric every year til we have our first losing streak then its business (losing) as usual…Everything that was said in the post was spot on and i think Harrington can be great for us… the only questions that i have are…
CAN HE BE A LEADER??? he never really took on that role
CAN HE PLAY & THRIVE IN THE SYSTEM??? the ball seemed to stop when he got it and he just seemed to do his own thing
WOULD HE FEEL COMFORTABLE OFF THE BENCH??? lets face it, players are divas w/ huge egos and he’s used to the starting role.
WILL HE LIVE UP TO HIS OFF SEASON RHETORIC??? in his interview w/ nyknicks.com he promised to step his game up, make his teammates better, emphasize his assist and rebound stats, play within the system, and become leader…
WE’LL SEE EITHER WAY I’M A HARRINGTON FAN AND A KNICK FAN FOR LIFE!!!
Harrington or David Lee in 2010 beside Bosh or Amare ??
I take AL hes a better fit at 4 for this system.
Great post. Al is probably our best player, but he’s not a leader. That’s what we need from him. We tried adding vets this year to no avail, we desperately need him to fill a leadership role.
In a couple of years Gallo’s fire and confidence could translate to leadership. But he’ll have to have a couple of breakout seasons for that to happen. For now, he can be a spark.
I Really Like Al, he’s.glad he’s a Knick and so am I. He’s got that fire in his Belly that you Need on this young team. If he keeps his word from the Knicks.com interview he can help us to the playoffs. And Thank You Chris, Tommy, Myles and Ben and all of the other Posters for making this the best Blog.!
Thanks a lot. I appreciate that.
I’m gonna go with Moe on this one. If Al can come through on what he said at that interview, he can definitely become the leader this young team needs to pull them through those tough games. A whole season is definitely gonna show if he’s worth a contract for the future (I think he is)