Al Harrington at $34 Million For 5 Years, Really?

[Hoopography]

The Denver Nuggets signed Al Harrington to a 5 year, $34 million contract. Harrington is currently 30 years old and has career averages of 14.1 points and 5.8 rebounds/game in his 12 seasons in the Association.

Back in the day, I watched Al Harrington play in the '98 McDonald's All-American Basketball Game. The '98 USA Today High School Player of the Year could do it all on the court. He had a knack for putting the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court. I watched that All-American game and thought Harrington was surely going to be an all-star caliber player in the NBA (He did finish 2nd in voting for the 2004 Sixth Man of the Year Award).


He was drafted by the Indiana Pacer with the 25th pick in the '98 NBA Draft right out of high school. The Pacers at the time were loaded and battling for the Eastern Conference Title every year. Along with fellow straight to NBA phenom Jonathan Bender, Harrington spent the first few years of his career coming of the bench. Al finally got his chance to show his stuff after a few years on the Pacer's bench. While on the court, it seemed like he could do everything and NBA GM's have taken notice. Harrington has played for four separate teams and the Pacers twice. His new team, the Denver Nuggets, will be his fifth team in twelve seasons.


I've made it a point of saying it seems like Harrington can do everything on the court because it's important to realize, he's actually done nothing in the NBA. Ballers out there, I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "a million dollar move, but a five cent finish". That's a great analogy for Harrington. The guy has a boatload of talent, but has never been able to truly put it all together to become a winner. That's why I was a bit surprised that the Nuggets decided to offer Harrington a 5 year, $34 million contract. After all, if you're going to pay someone $34 million, isn't a winner what you really want?



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[key2win]

I think for the full MLE, it is a steal compared to what some of these other players are making. Harrington should work out well for the Nuggets with Carmelo and Billups.

[Hoopography]

I don't know. I've obviously always thought AL has had all the ability in the world. He just doesn't no how to win. I wouldn't mind him coming off my teams bench to provide a scoring punch, we all know AL never saw a shot he didn't like, but I just don't think he understands how to win. After all, if I were building a team, winning is all I would care about.