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PHOENIX–The warnings all week were not to airball that first attempt, and two minutes into his first stint as an NBA All-Star, New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris heeded the most-offered advice and drove straight to the rim. But Phoenix Suns center The 25-year-old Harris, a first-time All-Star in his fifth season after being named an East reserve by the conference coaches, finished the game with six points (3-of-6 FGs) and a rebound in 17 minutes. The West won easily, 146-119. “Obviously, the first time you’re out there, you’re just trying to find a groove,” Harris said. “Definitely can’t airball that first shot – the vets had been grilling us about that all weekend long. It’s just about getting those first points and then relaxing.” After being subbed out with 10 minutes to go before halftime, Harris didn’t reappear until 9 minutes, 14 seconds remained in the contest, the East trailing 116-99. Better prepared after the initial bit of burn, Harris looked more like his speedy, defense-destroying self, quickly putting in a reverse layup off a feed from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams. On the East’s ensuing possession, Harris drove after a dropping behind-the-back dribble, passing to cutting Cavalier LeBron James, who spun, drove and made a reverse layup after being fouled. And he tripled up on successful sequences when a drive-and-dish to Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade resulted in a pair of wet free throws. “I thought for his first All-Star Game, he did aight,” Wade said proudly. “He was a little quiet at first, but after the first substitution he said, ‘I’m cool, I’m ready to go a little more.’ We know each other very well and I’m just happy he’s worked his way into being an All-Star and being respected.” When it comes to the court, Harris is most respected for his speed and a vicious, ankle-snapping step back, between-the-legs dribble that has been victimizing defenders for a season’s worth of highlights. The latest victim was Harris sprinted several steps before yoking the ball backwards, and Gasol’s momentum carried him off toward the basket, leaving Harris open 20 feet away along the left baseline. The shot, however, carried wide and clanked off the side of the backboard. “Yeah, yeah, you know, it missed,” Harris acknowledged. “I was trying to get loose in that second half. But that’s my patented move – I had to get it in there once.” Redemption came 90 seconds later, when Harris cut backdoor and Wade threw a chest pass that hit Harris in stride. The assisted layup closed out Harris’ statistical evening, and with the East down 22, wasn’t much of a factor in the final score. So goes most first appearances, and Harris is hoping his is only the first of many. One person who seemed to think that a repeat appearance was likely: Harris’ former teammate, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, himself a league MVP and seven-time All-Star. “It was great to see him out there, he’s really developing into a great point guard,” Nowitzki said. “He’s shooting the ball better, he’s running a great show, so he deserved it. I talked to him a little bit yesterday in practice, I talked to him a little bit today and it looked like he had a blast, had fun. He attended some festivities and soaked it up; it’s your first All-Star Game, it’s what you have to do.” “It’s what you work so hard for in the summertime,” Harris said. “The way the trade (from Dallas) worked out, it gave me more of a chance in the East. It’s an exciting time.” For him and Nets fans both. |