Ron Harper, a point guard who continues to be one of the underappreciated components of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, received accolades from former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman for his abilities and contributions to the team’s second three-peat.
Chicago run by Harper
From 1995 to 1998, the Bulls were led by Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman, who helped the team win three NBA titles during their three-year span. Despite their prowess, the Bull’s success was also greatly aided by other players on the team who also deserve high acclaim.
This includes Harper, who served as the Bulls’ starting point guard and a captain of the locker room both on and off the court. When Phil Jackson, the team’s head coach, joined the Lakers in 2001, he brought 36-year-old Harper with him because he was so impressed with his play. The two of them won NBA titles in 2000 and 2001 while wearing the purple and gold.
With the eighth overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft, the Cavaliers selected Harper. As a rookie, Harper averaged 22.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.5 steals in 37.4 minutes across 82 games. Prior to signing with the Bulls in 1994, Harper was a premier scorer, averaging at least 18 points per game in seven of his first eight NBA seasons.
Rodman saw Harper as a quiet assassin
Rodman noticed Harper’s abilities; the 6-6 guard could have been a star like Jordan, but severe ankle and knee injuries turned him from a potential face of a franchise into a key role player.
Rodman never forgets how good Harper was, and the five-time NBA champion gave him a big compliment in an appearance on the BTM Legends Corner with Sean David.
“The quiet assassin on that team was that one guy, Ron Harper. Ron Harper man, nobody talks about him man. He probably could’ve been one of the best players ever if he didn’t have that knee injury. He was Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan to me because he was good. He was good,” Rodman said.
Harper reinvented himself despite the injuries and achieved significant levels of success. It’s admirable how he dealt with unfortunate circumstances and still made the most of his career.
Source: yardbarker.com
