Montrezl Harrell agrees in principle to 3 year deal with Rockets

[Cardiotonic]

Just a day after pulling someone from a car crash Montrezl Harrell looks to have found a home in the NBA with the Houston Rockets agreeing in principle to a three year deal. The Rockets took Trez in the 2nd round of the draft and he went on to average 16.5 points and 8 rebounds in the summer league on his way to earning this contract. Houston, who has arguably the best scorer in the NBA in James Harden, will be a contender in the Western Conference for years to come so we are sure to hear plenty from Harrell for years to come!

 

[shadow force]

Congrats to Harrell on getting this 3 year deal. He has shown great character on and off the court.

 

[n4cer2ad]

Congrats Trez, can't wait to watch our guys next season in the league.

 

[Steelers2012]

@MattWillinger: Congrats @MONSTATREZZ on signing a three-year, $3.1M contract with @HoustonRockets, plus a multi-year deal with @Nike. #L1C4 #WellDeserved

 

[OmegaCard]

He should have went in the top 10. Anybody who's ever watched a game should know that...let alone so called "experts". Same with Russ Smith. Glad to see our guys getting some nice checks to endorse. RP should use it as motivation for the others. --A yard dog never gives up and keeps fighting no matter the circumstances. It's all a yard dog knows.

 

[Cue Card]

He should have went in the top 10. Anybody who's ever watched a game should know that...let alone so called "experts". Same with Russ Smith. Glad to see our guys getting some nice checks to endorse. RP should use it as motivation for the others. --A yard dog never gives up and keeps fighting no matter the circumstances. It's all a yard dog knows.

His lack of height killed his stock. I know he has great length but people look at the 6-8 size as a liability. His motor and his length will keep him in the NBA for years to come. I'm happy for him. He gets to live the life now. He gets to play basketball and get paid great money at the same time. That IS living the life. No doubt.

 

[OmegaCard]

His lack of height killed his stock. I know he has great length but people look at the 6-8 size as a liability. His motor and his length will keep him in the NBA for years to come. I'm happy for him. He gets to live the life now. He gets to play basketball and get paid great money at the same time. That IS living the life. No doubt.

That's just double speak to cover the fact that half the draft is already guaranteed a spot before the HS kids play one minute of college ball. 2 of the greatest PF of the modern era were 6'6" and 6'9".

 

[Cue Card]

That's just double speak to cover the fact that half the draft is already guaranteed a spot before the HS kids play one minute of college ball. 2 of the greatest PF of the modern era were 6'6" and 6'9".

I agree. I don't agree with those people who labeled his height as an issue but that is why his stock dropped. He doesn't have the typical NBA power forward height. Most are closer to 7 foot.

 

[OmegaCard]

I agree. I don't agree with those people who labeled his height as an issue but that is why his stock dropped. He doesn't have the typical NBA power forward height. Most are closer to 7 foot.

Correction. That's the excuse they gave to cover the backroom deals. His real knock was he didn't have the right representation that's apart of the inner circle. However, hard work and talent are hard to ignore.

 

[IL Wildcat]

Good for him. His measurements are probably what hurt him in getting drafted, but he plays much bigger than his size. That huge wingspan helps him on the interior tremendously. I think he has the potential to be a solid NBA contributor and have a good career.

 

[OmegaCard]

Measurements? You can make an excuse for anyone's measurements. That didn't seem to hurt Nerlens Noel. Take one look at the guy and you know he needs help! Yet he has potential. If only Trez was 2 inches taller.

 

[kozmas]

Seems as if both Harrell and Bridgewater were both hurt by the predraft numbers game. Both are very talented, hard working and good guys they will both do well and I'm happy for them.

 

[OmegaCard]

"If only Trez was 2 inches taller."

I meant to say....Forget his college basketball history , he MIGHT be 2 inches too small compared to a guy who played against 6'-5" HS competition last year .

 

[IL Wildcat]

"If only Trez was 2 inches taller."

I meant to say....Forget his college basketball history , he MIGHT be 2 inches too small compared to a guy who played against 6'-5" HS competition last year .

Hey Omega, I wasn't trying to slam Trez. I was commenting on how many likely dismissed him on draft night purely for the sake of numbers. I'm trying to give him credit. When you see a guy's standing height at 6-6.5 with shoes on (according to NBAdraft.net) and he plays power forward, you automatically assume some things. Those assumptions are often correct. But in the case of Harrell, they aren't. But you think, "How's a guy 6-6.5 gonna compete with guys 6-10 to 7-0?" Well there are some who did it- Charles Barkley, Chuck Hayes, and Kenneth Faried all come to mind for me. Those guys all played the power forward spot. The thing that Harrell has is that 7-3 wingspan and that 8-11 standing reach. So, as I said above, he plays much bigger than his standing height would suggest.

Now, if he really wants to make some big bucks, he needs to improve his 3pt shooting and his ball handling. If he could become a guy who could play 3 or 4, he'd make millions. But I think he'll have a strong career even if he just keeps improving his strengths, which is rebounding, energy, interior scoring, and defense.

 

[OmegaCard]

Hey Omega, I wasn't trying to slam Trez. I was commenting on how many likely dismissed him on draft night purely for the sake of numbers. I'm trying to give him credit. When you see a guy's standing height at 6-6.5 with shoes on (according to NBAdraft.net) and he plays power forward, you automatically assume some things. Those assumptions are often correct. But in the case of Harrell, they aren't. But you think, "How's a guy 6-6.5 gonna compete with guys 6-10 to 7-0?" Well there are some who did it- Charles Barkley, Chuck Hayes, and Kenneth Faried all come to mind for me. Those guys all played the power forward spot. The thing that Harrell has is that 7-3 wingspan and that 8-11 standing reach. So, as I said above, he plays much bigger than his standing height would suggest.

Now, if he really wants to make some big bucks, he needs to improve his 3pt shooting and his ball handling. If he could become a guy who could play 3 or 4, he'd make millions. But I think he'll have a strong career even if he just keeps improving his strengths, which is rebounding, energy, interior scoring, and defense.

I didn't take it that way. I know you were repeating what the experts mentioned as his weaknesses. Doesn't mean I have to agree with them. A person's size can easily be both a positive or a negative for these experts. You could say the same about Nerlens size. How in the world is that guy not going to get shoved all over the place without extreme help in the weight room? And how will is body react with all that additional weight? Even blew out one of his knees prior--Yet no expert had any concerns? Rather they all agreed. So imo draft night is really all about your Nike connections. Charlotte (Nike U) just gave 52 million to a 6'7" small forward who can't shoot past the FT line. Said his defense was worth it.

 

[Orange Soda King]

I'd imagine they banked on a complete recovery for Noel, since he sat out over an entire year of competitive basketball action, even though he was cleared to return to play during the '13-'14 season. He also trained hard to improve his offensive game and gain weight, which he has made some noticeable progress with. This past season, Noel proved he was worth where he was picked in the draft, and should be even better this year.

That said, Harrell will make teams wish they took him higher.