Paul Harris Owns Maine Like Eric Devendorf Owns New Zealand

by Sean Keeley on Dec 20, 2011 9:00 AM EST

The Second Paul Harris Era of Maine Red Claws history officially kicks off last when the team's inaugural draft pick returned to complete what he started.

In his first game this season, Harris had a r espectable 14 point and 9 rebound performance. Then, he played his second game...

Paul Harris just missed the second triple-double in Red Claws history (30 pts,16 rebounds, 7 assists) in just his second game this season as the Maine Red Claws (3-5) toppled the Erie BayHawks (4-7) tonight at the Portland Exposition Building, 106-99. It was a see-saw affair that never saw the point spread more than 7 points with 11 ties and 8 lead changes.

Paul Harris was the story of the game as the 6-5 guard out of Syracuse narrowly missed a triple-double. Harris was officially activated on December 15 after missing the early part of the season due to the premature birth of his third son. Still looking to regain his game form, Harris nonetheless lit up the scoreboard, delighting the home crowd.

BTW, now we know what the holdup was with Paul getting to Maine. Here's to hoping everything's okay with his son.

Hopefully things keep up this way for Paul, who's had quite a few starts and stops on the road to the NBA.

Staying in the NBDL, we head on over to Idaho where Eric Devendorf is starting to take over the Boise scene. After a DNP and a slow start, Devo is averaging 15 points per game in his last two contests. He's averaging 8.2 PPG overall in six games.

Meanwhile, Terrence Roberts is back with the LA D-Fenders as of a few days ago. Robert had participated in the Oklahoma City Thunder training camp.

In case you're looking for some Syracuse on Syracuse action, Maine hosts Idaho on January 27th for the only meeting between the two all season. LA heads to Idaho for two games on January 13th and 14th and the two team meet four more times over the course of the season. LA and Maine will face-off once this year, on January 11, though the game will be played in Reno for some reason.

Keep an eye on all things NBDL over at Ridiculous Upside.

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Harris

Will make an NBA squad as a deep rotation guy sooner rather than later. He killed it in the pre-draft workouts and post draft summer leagues coming out of ‘Cuse. I’m of the opinion that only thet severe ankle sprain is what kept him out. But he’s a guy that can guard PG-SG and prolly even some PF, is going to play hard for you all the time and rebounds like a man possessed. I haven’t seen him play at all since he left ‘Cuse, but hopefully he’s been able to develop a consistent jumper. That’s the only difference between him and Bruce Bowen. And, honestly, Bowen was nowhere near as athletic as Paul, just smart and tenacious. But I’m glad Paul seems to be doing that I had hoped he would. Spend some time overseas to make some bank and then put in the $200/game work in the D-League to try catch a break into the NBA.

And I thought Terrance Roberts would have retired by now. His knees were a wreck when he left ‘Cuse. They can’t have gotten any better in the last 5 years.

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 20, 2011 9:09 AM EST reply actions

I still believe

Harris made the wrong decision in choosing basketball. With his skill set he is better suited as a WR/TE than PF. I guess what I’m trying to say is he doesn’t have NBA talent.

by mh1o on Dec 20, 2011 9:44 AM EST reply actions

Imagine him being the Bills' Jimmy Graham

Shut up brain or I'll stab you with a Q-tip

by MrPlow99 on Dec 20, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

There's a lot of guys who choose basketball

Look at a guy like LeBron. Maybe he’s a bad example because he’s obviously a great basketball player. But he would have absolutely KILLED it as a football player. And think of it this way, the typical NBA players earns a higher yearly salary and plays for longer. If you have a legit shot at both, you choose the NBA.

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 20, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, this

Also as a football player if you don’t make an NFL roster there are very few other options. As a basketball player there are plenty of other leagues in which you can make a nice living.

by Rocklionheart on Dec 20, 2011 12:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think the sheer size of football rosters balances that out

An NBA roster is 15 tops. And NFL roster is, what, 75? And there are other football leagues out there, CFL, NFL Europe, UFL, Arena League. Yeah, there are certainly more teams to play basketball for, but I don’t think that the number of total jobs available is all that different.

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 21, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

Also

I wouldn’t say that Harris isn’t an NBA talent. Certainly not a superstar, but he definitely has deep-rotation talent. I mean, what’s the difference between Paul Harris and Tony Allen? Maybe an inch and the fact that Allen plays PG. Basketball is a game where elite athleticism can overcome a lot of shortcomings.

"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes

by FeloniousPhunk on Dec 20, 2011 12:28 PM EST up reply actions