Normally, the focus of “Rookie Tales” is from one of the Wine and Gold’s sage veterans – looking back on their freshman season in the league. But today, we’re talking to the Cavaliers’ lone rookie – whose rigorous first-year journey is still (hopefully) far from over.
Harris, taken with the 33rd pick of the 2014 Draft out of Virginia nearly one year ago, played sparingly in the second half of the season as the veteran squad distinguished itself down the stretch. He had some nice moments – including a 16-point effort against Philly in his lone start of the season and a 13-point night one week earlier, against the team his squad will face in the Eastern Conference Finals starting Wednesday.
With the Cavaliers needing eight more wins to win the World Championship, we hate to say that this is where the older guys take over, but this is the part of the season where the older guys take over. Joe Harris understands his role completely. He’ll be ready if his number happens to be called and he’ll be ready to be part of the rotation when Training Camp tips off in a few short months.
In the meantime, Joe Harris – who spent his first season learning from the game’s greatest player while his squad plumbs the deepest depths of the playoffs – is content in the role of apprentice and scout team player and coffee-and-donut-getter – and whatever else a first-year player’s job might entail. And he sat down to talk with Cavs.com about it in today’s installment of Rookie Tales ...
Was it tough making the transition going from a four-year guy at Virginia to the lone rookie on a veteran NBA team?
Joe Harris: It is tough. It’s human nature, you want to play and do well and be a part of it – and feel like you contributed in that way.
But with the type of leaders that we have on this team, they’re all really good about letting everybody know that it takes all 15 of us, everybody has a particular role on this team. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing 10 minutes a night, 20 minutes, 30 minutes a night – everybody’s doing their part in helping the team win and get ready to go – whether it’s preparation-work, scout team stuff, everybody’s doing their part.
Mike Miller once said that landing in the right spot as a rookie can add years to your career. Can you see where that’s the case?
Harris: Well, there’s a lot of guys that get in the NBA in their rookie season and they’re not as fortunate as I am to be on a championship-caliber team – with a winning culture, good leadership. So I’m kind of seeing that whole side of the NBA, which I think a lot of guys don’t experience until the later part of their career.
Not to knock anything with other teams, but you’re just not getting the same experience. You’re getting the opportunity to play, but for some of those guys, they’ll never get to experience what I’m getting in my first year. I consider myself fortunate to be in the position that I’m in.
People don’t understand that ...
The 2003 Draft class is famous ...
That was a great Draft class ...
It was amazing to still see Michael Jordan ...
Some rookies build bad habits and it’s not until year three, four, five that they get to be part of a winning-type organization and culture. Those are the guys that are able to stick around the longest; to have some longevity in the league are part of winning teams and winning organizations.
Is everyone always asking you: ‘What’s it like playing with LeBron?’
Harris: Everybody’s always asking me: ‘What’s it like playing with LeBron?’
It’s really hard to describe. I’m pretty fortunate that I got him my first year. He’s an awesome guy, a great leader. You’re witnessing such greatness all the time and you try not to take it for granted because you see it so often, in practice or wherever.
But he’s just one of the guys. And he’s a really great teammate, always taking care of everybody. He’s also probably the hardest worker on our team, too. There’s usually one guy that’s in the weight room before everybody or working out before anyone’s even here – and that’s him. He’s constantly putting in work, taking care of his body, all the stuff that people don’t see behind the scenes.
That sets the tone for the rest of the team; especially the young guys like myself and Delly, but even Tristan and Kyrie.
As far as veteran influence, it seems like Delly really took you under his wing this year.
Harris: Delly always does the workouts with me.
Typically, if you’re on a team with two or three rookies, you’re constantly doing all the workout stuff together. It’s kind of a trend among NBA teams. You know, if you were to go out at the 90-minute mark before games, the rookies are always out there working out, getting their work in. It doesn’t matter if you’re Andrew Wiggins or me or an undrafted guy – the rookies are always out there working out beforehand.
And Delly, even though he plays quite a bit, he still comes in and does all the rookie workouts with me all the time. And we live in the same building downtown, so I see him quite a bit. He’s just a really good guy. And he’s just been cool with me since I’ve been here.
What lesson has he – and the other veterans – impressed on you?
Harris: That you never know when you’re opportunity’s gonna come.
One of the big things I’ve learned is from Delly. He’s constantly working; it doesn’t matter if he goes 0-for-10, 10-for-10, has a game like he had last Thursday – he’s always in the gym working.
Today he was in early, getting shots up. It just doesn’t change for him. And a lot of the guys have the same approach. They’re constantly ready. And that’s what they’re always tell me: You just never know when your opportunity might come, and you have to be ready for when it does.
What other lessons have you learned from the vets?
Harris: Well, one I took to heart at the very beginning of the year was when Mike Miller and James Jones told me: it’s better to keep your mouth shut than get your ass whupped. (laughs) So I’ve kinda been riding that motto all season long.
I do my part, I know what my role is on the team. I basically speak when spoken to. And I try to hold back from any smartass comments or wisecracks because I’m not trying to get myself in trouble.
Do they ever lay it on too thick?
Harris: Yeah, there are times when you’re just like: ‘Man, come on!’
But it’s all part of it and most of them, too, my rookie stuff isn’t close to some of the rookie horror stories that you hear from these guys. So I have it pretty easy compared to some of the veteran guys.
Even though you’re past the regular season, do you still have to carry the pink backpack?
Harris: Yeah, I still carry the “Frozen” backpack around on every road trip.
And then I get coffees every day on the road and I get coffee every shootaround for road games. I get the donuts – Jack Frost donuts, actually, before every shootaround at home. And then just the little stuff: I rebound for the guys before the game starts and I don’t really get many shots up. I’m making sure everybody gets warmed up and ready to go. I get the towels for everybody, whether it’s after shootaround or after practice. I just go in and get the towels and set them on the guys’ chairs.
And then, if they just want me to go run an errand for them when we’re on the road, then I’ll go ahead and do that. But with that one, they’re pretty good about taking care of me and making sure I get compensated.