gold star for USAHOF

94. Derek Harper

  • Published in Basketball
  • Read 22263 times
  • Rate this item
    (5 votes)
94. Derek Harper
Derek Harper was the partner in crime and backcourt mate of Rolando Blackman for almost a decade in Dallas.  Ironically the closest they ever came to a title is when they were both traded to the Knicks and they came within one game of winning the championship in 1994.  Harper was one of the best all around point guards of his era as he was a great defender who had size and quickness and could both score and distribute.  Harper is widely regarded as one of the best players to never make an All-Star game and when he retired he was 11th in steals and 17th in assists in NBA history.  1,200 regular season games and over 16,000 points don’t hurt his argument either.  Is a solid and consistent career with good overall stats enough to get him in?



Should Derek Harper be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 22%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 10%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Elberton, Georgia, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Saturday, 01 January 2005
  • Position: Point Guard
  • Played For: Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic
  • College: Illinois
  • Drafted: 1nd Round, 11th Overall in 1983
  • Major Accolades and Awards: All-NBA Defensive Second Team (2) (1986-87 & 1989-90)
    NBA Championship Rings (None)
    AP Second Team All-American (1) (1983)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Assists (2) (1986-87 & 1987-88)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals (3) (1986-87, 1987-88 & 1989-90)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals per Game (3) (1986-87, 1987-88 & 1989-90)
    Top Ten Finishes: 2-Point Field Goal Percentage (1) (1985-86)
    Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goals (3) (1986-87, 1988-89 & 1990-91)
    Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goal Attempts (3) (1986-87, 1987-88 & 1988-89)
    Top Ten Finishes: Minutes Played (1) (1987-88)
    Top Ten Finishes: Box Plus/Minus (1) (1986-87)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (1986-87)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Offensive Rating (1) (1986-87)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steal Percentage (4) (1984-85, 1985-86, 1986-87 & 1989-90)
  • Notable All-time Rankings: 16.  Steals: 1,957
    27.  Assists: 6,557
    50.  Games Played: 1,199
    53.  Steal Percentage: 2.5
    55.  Steals per Game: 1.6
    57.  Minutes Played: 37,786
    84.  VORP: 35.7
    91.  Assists per Game: 5.5

Should Derek Harper be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 22%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 10%

Comments powered by CComment