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Share on FacebookMatt Harpring Chat Transcript: April 18, 2006
Harpring chatted on April 18.NBAE/Getty Images |
Harpring underwent surgery on his right knee following the season, but is expected to be ready for the 2005-06 season. Harpring has played in 378 games during his seven-year career (313 starts), with Orlando, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Utah, and has career averages of 13.1 points and 6.0 rebounds. Harpring was Utah's second-leading scorer during the 2003 Playoffs, scoring 14.8 points and grabbing 5.4 rebounds in the first round series vs. Sacramento. In 14 career playoff games with Utah and Orlando, he has averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Originally selected by Orlando in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft (15th pick overall), Harpring spent his first two seasons with the Magic, then a season each in Cleveland and Philadelphia before the Jazz acquired him on August 3, 2001, along with Cedric Henderson and Robert Traylor for Tyrone Hill and Jumaine Jones. Harpring finished his collegiate career at Georgia Tech ranked second in Yellow Jackets history in both scoring and rebounding and was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team for three consecutive seasons (1996-98). He was also named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Basketball Team.
Matt chatted live with fans on Tuesday, April 18. Check out the complete chat transcript below:
Brady Cook Layton: How was off-season knee surgury? Did it help your game a lot?
Matt Harpring: The offseason knee surgery was a success and it was the first time in a few years where my knee felt good on the court.
Jeremy (Lehi,Ut): Hey big fan I was wondering what you thought of the 3 rookies the Jazz picked up in last years draft.
Matt Harpring: We have good rookies. Obviously Deron Williams has a chance to be a real good player in this league. C.J. also has some good potential. Robert had some injury problems but if he can stay healthy he may be able to contribute as well.
Jordan Raygoza (Corning,CA): Who was your biggest mentor when you entered the league? Who have you been mentoring if anyone?
Matt Harpring: My biggest mentor when I came into the league was Horace Grant. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes in the NBA. He was like a 10-12 year veteran and I'm only an eight-year guy, but any guys I can help, give advice to I do. I want to help these guys get better in this league and thrive in this league.
Teri (Taylorsville): Matt, I have enjoyed watching you play during your years here with the Jazz, and hope that it works out that you can finish your career here. I've seen your baby son at the games, and my question is: How has fatherhood changed you?
Matt Harpring: Probably it's changed me alot. When you don't have a family, basketball is the No. 1 priority. When you get a family, that takes precedence, the No. 1 priority changes.
Alex Union City, NJ: Which player would you like play one-on-one? You can choose anyone even from the past.
Matt Harpring: I would say Larry Bird. Just because he was kinda my role model..the guy I looked to in the NBA when I was growing up.
Ryan (Logan,UT): Matt, first off Id like to say is, thank you for all the effort you give on the floor night in and night out, and I hope you can come back and retire in a Jazz uniform. Now to the question:
If you could do one thing other than play basketball, what would it be? And what do I have to do to get a gig like you and appear in a Maverick comercial?
Matt Harpring: Ha-ha (Laughing) I guess I would be a football player, that was my second love, I was a QB and I was recruited by lots of schools out of high school. But I chose basketball. And the other part, you need to be a Jazz player to get that gig! Ha-ha (Laughing).
David Waugh (Orem, UT): hey matt how is it going? i notice that you can take hits and hard ones you are one of the most beat up players in the nba how do you deal with it? Have you ever considered playing football?
Matt Harpring: I think playing football helped create a toughness in me, where I'm used to being banged up and banged it. I was always taught, it doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down, it's about how many times you get right back up.
Brian W. (Springville): Love your hustle and will to win, we are lucky to have you. You seem to be one of the most fit players out there. Do you train hard in the off season, or relax a bit?
Matt Harpring: I usually take the first month to relax after the season. Then I get right back into training, and I progressively train harder and harder until I'm in tip-top shape for the start of the next season.
Jordan Raygoza (Corning,CA): Your the one, if not only, of the last players on Utah that played with Malone and Stockton, what kind of experience did you experience from that?
Matt Harpring: It was the best experience I've had playing the game of basketball. It's something I will always be able to say, that I played with two of the greatest players to ever play this game. They were not only great players, but great friends.
Federico(italy): Hi Matt!!!Why number 15?thanks
Matt Harpring: It's the number I wore at Georgia Tech and they retired my number there, so it's become my favorite number.
carrie, m,arietta: Don't forget to remind them of your summer camp!
Matt Harpring: Yes, I have four weeks of camp. Two weeks in Atlanta and two weeks in Salt Lake City. You can get the info at www.mattharpring.com.
Ed, Salt Lake City: Matt, I am amazed with your style. Always calm, hitting baskets quietly, never upset, real definition of sportsman. I would recommend you for Fair Play award! All players should look after you!
How you do it???
Matt Harpring: It's just through experience and learning and maturing as a player. Again, I go back to playing football and other sports, you see other situations where you are challenged and you need to stay focused to come out on top.
Matt Harpring: I'd like to thank all my fans in the NBA and around the league. I really appreciate your support, especially the fans here in Salt Lake City.
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