I think we've all sort of embraced Sencire Harris as a defensive stopper, a guy who hounds the opposing ballhandler and steals around 3 possessions per game. He's starting over Epps just because it sends a message that hustle and defensive intensity are our identity. He'd score on a wide open 3 or an easy transition bucket.
Yesterday was the first time I really saw another level of offensive capability from him. The one play where he grabbed a rebound and went 94 feet while weaving around players like traffic cones for a transition layup was ridiculous. You can just watch it on a loop. The speed and length has been obvious but he can handle the ball and finish through some degree of contact. He's not going to be TSJ but if he's not guarded closely he can just take it to the rim. He's more than a guy who just shoots open 3's as an afterthought. His 34.5% 3PT is credible enough that he's not in the Curbelo zone where guys just don't guard him.
The other play that is burned into all our brains is that absurd reverse layup (?) I don't even know how to describe it but you know exactly what I'm talking about. He did that on purpose and he wasn't surprised when it went in. If the other layup was him being a mini-TSJ, this was a mini-Dainja move. He's not going to move anyone in the paint but he's just so long and bouncy that he has a unique ability to put the ball on the rim.
Also, you just know sometime he is going to drive the lane and absolutely posterize some fool. What I realized yesterday is that now he has the confidence to try it. I can't get over the slightness of his 6'4" 160 lb frame (maybe he's gaining muscle as he's aging) but he makes up for it with ferocity and athleticism.
Maybe he just shows flashes this year but if Harris develops then we've got a stud on our hands. With the limited guard depth on the roster, this raises our ceiling dramatically. Keep an eye on Harris.
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