Harrick Always Could Recruit

rickchand — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 15:15:45 EST

We knew something like this would happen eventually. Jim Harrick, coach of the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League, has a player who is making $2.06 million per season. Two mil, in the D League. Where the previous top salary was $24,000. Leave it to freakin' Harrick.

Rookie Patrick O'Bryant, to our knowledge the only NBA lottery pick to ever play against the Arkansas Rimrockers, was sent to the Jam from the Warriors after Harrick convinced Golden State coach Don Nelson that it would be good for his, well, development. It's all chronicled in a well-written piece by the San Francisco's Chronicle Scott Ostler, who, if he went out to dinner with Harrick and O'Bryant, could probably pool the cash in their wallets and buy Bakersfield.

How long will O'Bryant's minor-league experience be? That hasn't been discussed. "As short as I can possibly make it," he says, matter-of-factly. Eight hours later, he is introduced as the Jam's starting center for the game against the visiting Austin Toros. O'Bryant is about to play a first half that will have some spectators wondering if the NBA has an F-League

We hope that O'Bryant makes it big in the NBA some day. When you're a top NBA draft pick and find yourself riding on the team bus with this, that's a reality check right there.

Small Towns And Big Dreams Make Up NBA's D-League [SFGate]
NBA Development League

Jim Harrick: My Life On The D-List

Rick Chandler — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 13:15:29 EDT

We know you've been worried, but you may now relax your troubled brow; Jim Harrick is coaching again. The 67-year-old Harrick, who was fired at UCLA for falsifying expense reports, and fired at the University of Georgia for various recruiting scandals (for which the Bulldogs are still on probation), will be coaching the expansion Bakersfield Jam next season, as the NBA Development League expands from eight to 12 teams. Harrick, whose son was also booted from UG for a variety of coaching misdeeds, had these things to say about his new gig: "My wife wants me out of the house," and "This will ruin my golf handicap." (Laugh track). We think coaches should be fired just for dragging out moth-eaten quotes like those.

We also think that, perhaps the NBDL, in addition to developing future NBA players, might also want to dabble in developing the next generation of NBA coaches. Or major college, or whatever. What is accomplished by dusting off warped relics like Harrick is beyond us. But then again, it is the Bakersfield Jam. Seems like a fitting last chapter for the H-Man.

He's Baaack! Harrick Hired To Coach In NBDL [MSNBC]
NBA Development League [NBDL]

(Oh, and here's a little blast from the past for you.)

Deadspin: jim harrick

Harrick Always Could Recruit

Jim Harrick: My Life On The D-List