Harkless Update

Wanted to post something during his last game but held off.  Unfortunately what I was expecting came true tonight.  Moe has been struggling of late and with Glen Davis returning from injury I was waiting for the game that Moe didn't start and it was tonight.  With Vucevic in the middle and Davis at the PF, Orlando starts Nelson, Affalo and Oladipo.  While Davis was out to start the year Maxiell started at PF with Moe at SF now Maxiell is getting DNP's.  Moe needs to establish and embrace being the 6th man it might look like.

Just 11 minutes tonight.  1-3 from the field for 3 pts, 2 boards and 1 assist.

Last 3 games prior
15 minutes.  2-4 for 5 pts, 2 boards, 2 blocks
33 minutes. 2-8 for 5 pts, 6 boards, 1 block
31 minutes. 2-7 for 5 pts, 2 boards, 3 assists

Affalo, Nelson, Oladipo get up a lot of shots. Vucevic is solid inside which leaves the 4 to be a pure rebounder. Moe is average rebounder but when he's slumping from the outside shooting his rebounding flaws get magnified.

He'll be alright though still playing great defense.

FWIW teammate Nicholson is #11.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10037262/ranking-top-20-sophomores?addata=2009_insdr_mod_nba_xxx_xxx

19. Maurice Harkless, Magic
Harkless has probably experienced the biggest fall of the sophs since their rookie season. That's because the NBA game is unyielding for someone who can't shoot, and that is the problem for Harkless. Free throws, jump shots, 3s -- all are a mess for him right now.

He is still an effective slasher who draws fouls, and his length and athleticism help him get at least one steal or blocked shot in almost every game. But until he gets his shot figured out, he'll be leaving a ton of unfulfilled potential on the bench.

Big deal. He's still a kid. He'll be fine.

Moe tonight:  a second solid game in a row:

16 points.  7-13 from the field (though only 1-4 from three);  5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks. only 1 turnover.  In 29 minutes of play.

The game before was:
4-7 from the field. 3 for 4 from three point line. 2 steals in 17 minutes.

In a pretty surprising move to me the Magic bought out Big Baby Davis so he is no longer a member of the team. This should free up more time for Moe. Davis was averaging 12 pts and 6 boards and started 43 of 45 games. Talk about cutting your losses.

I randomly check Magic box scores to see how he's doing. He has some brutal lines this season. I remember checking and seeing something along the lines of...

22 minutes, 0-3 shooting, 0-3 Ft's, 0 Reb, 0 Assists, 0 Points, 4 Fouls

I randomly check Magic box scores to see how he's doing. He has some brutal lines this season. I remember checking and seeing something along the lines of...

22 minutes, 0-3 shooting, 0-3 Ft's, 0 Reb, 0 Assists, 0 Points, 4 Fouls

Moe?
Yeah I know on Redmen there is more active update thread.  Maybe there was another one here I missed but I just searched Harkless and added the Davis news to this thread.  He will go a game playing 40 plus minutes to a DNP- Coaches Decision.  Weird.

In a pretty surprising move to me the Magic bought out Big Baby Davis so he is no longer a member of the team. This should free up more time for Moe. Davis was averaging 12 pts and 6 boards and started 43 of 45 games. Talk about cutting your losses.

The Magic couldn't even get a second rounder for Davis? Weird... I guess by buying him out, they want to give some younger guys more time on the court - and further ensure that they have a lot of ping pong balls in the lottery?

Makes sense for the Magic, they're a young team they need to play Harkless, O'Quinn and Nicholson more. Big Baby isn't in the future for that team.

I didn't realize that Orlando has 4 NYers on their Roster:

Moe Harkless
Tobias Harris
Kyle O'Quinn
Doron Lamb

Article on Harkless.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/magic-basketblog/os-mbb-why-isnt-maurice-harkless-playing-20141030-post.html

I figured this is better to put here, because Harkless discussion seemed to hijack the Sampson thread.