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Ex-CU player Harrison interested in joining Nuggets

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published July 7, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.

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Former Indiana Pacers center David Harrison attempts to block a shot by Denver's Carmelo Anthony during a game in 2006. Harrison is currently a free agent and has expressed and interest to play for the Nuggets, in part because Harrison when to college at the University of Colorado and said he loves the area.

Photo by © AP/2006

Former Indiana Pacers center David Harrison attempts to block a shot by Denver's Carmelo Anthony during a game in 2006. Harrison is currently a free agent and has expressed and interest to play for the Nuggets, in part because Harrison when to college at the University of Colorado and said he loves the area.

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David Harrison has been spared the cost of taking out an ad.

"If you write something about me, maybe the Nuggets will see it and get interested," Harrison joked Monday.

Actually, a source said the Nuggets are looking at Harrison, a free-agent center who played for the University of Colorado. But they were not said to be one of the most interested teams.

Maybe that will change when they hear of Harrison wanting to play for Denver.

"I chose to play at Colorado, and that's an area that I love," said Harrison, who averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds last season for Indiana and five and 2.9 in his first four seasons with the Pacers. "I love the fans. I think I could help (the Nuggets) win some games."

But what might the most interesting aspect for the luxury-tax strapped Nuggets? Harrison is willing to work cheap.

"I would take a minimum deal if I would play a lot," Harrison said of the $854,957 minimum for a four-year player. "Obviously, I would love to get a lot of money, but I used to play for free."

For now, Harrison's primary concern is resurrecting a career that has included being suspended in January for five games for violating the NBA's substance-abuse policy. The Pacers did not pick up his $2 million qualifying offer for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 7-foot Harrison believes the Pacers have interest in re-signing him at a lower price, and he worked out last week for Boston. He's trying to show teams he has grown up after an underwhelming start to his career.

"My first four years in the NBA, I was very childish," Harrison said. "I thought I was still in college. But I've got to put that behind me and be a man."

Harrison called it a "wake-up" call when he was suspended.

"I don't know if I can say what it was," he said of the drug involved. "But it wasn't anything hard."

Now, Harrison is concerned with having a hard body. Harrison, who said he weighed 310 pounds when drafted in 2004 and was more than 270 last season, said he's down to 265 and has been working out regularly in Houston. If that is a further lure for the Nuggets, they know where to find Harrison.

ETC.: Forward Carmelo Anthony was pleased to hear free-agent guard Anthony Carter say he's likely to return on a minimum contract. "That'll always be good to have our team back," said Anthony, who believes a similar cast will work next season. . . . Free-agent forward Louis Amundson, a graduate of Monarch High School, is on Golden State's roster for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. But Amundson said he wouldn't participate in today's practice without an agreement of a contract for next season. Amundson's agent, Mike Higgins, is optimistic about Amundson getting a guaranteed minimum deal but said his hopes could be hampered if free agent Elton Brand signs with the Warriors. . . . Clippers restricted free agent Nick Fazekas, a graduate of Ralston Valley High School, will play for the Clippers in Las Vegas.

Comments

  • July 7, 2008

    11:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    rhsalas writes:

    It appears our nuggets will go to battle with the same group
    who could not get it done last year. How sad, i was hoping that
    they might create some cap space by moving some selfish money
    and tired (often injured )veterans. Then they could bring in a true
    point and some youth. Young guys bring energy(excluding melo)and
    energy is hard to defend.Oh, maybe i am being a little selfish
    wanting this team to improve! Is Posey still available? Well
    not all is lost, at least they didnt have to fire doug mo. How
    if we could get rid or the rest of the geriatric ward and hire
    a proven defensive coach we have it made!!
    ` RS

  • July 8, 2008

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ShepDog writes:

    Someone like this is always a gamble. We need a big man that plays big at both ends. No one disputes Camby's defensive play, but he plays like a 6-footer on the offensive end. I'd like to see Marcus and his quick first step, take those drives in for dunks and not the double-clutch that he feels the need to do.

  • July 8, 2008

    12:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RBN writes:

    I would like to see marcus on a banana boat getting the hell out of here. Camby is a joke. His help side defense is good, but he gets pushed around on the block and he is as soft as Elton John. Harrison while bigger is not an improvment, he is washed up, smokes weed and is flat broke. That is why he needs a gig. Like so many other NBA players bad financial choices have led him to beg for another gig in the NBA.

  • July 8, 2008

    12:57 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    I hope they are joking we dont need another Center with weak A$$ game. At least Camby can rebound this would be another waste of a million bucks on this loser he was over hyped at CU.

  • July 8, 2008

    12:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jamaro writes:

    I wouldn't mind if the Nuggets stayed away from David, don't need anymore baggage on this team. Don't know what people expected; Nuggets are in a rough spot with saleries and don't have any room to work with. It really comes down to the players on the roster, they have the talent they need to find that hard working attitude to go with it. It might not happen but its not like the Nuggets are going into next year after winning twelve games. 50 win team, blown out of the playoffs but there still is opportunity to compeat next year.

    Maybe they can strike cold and find a mid-level vet or UDFA that can come in for a few mins and bring a spark with rebounding or defense. A younger, cheaper, more athletic Eddy.

    As for Posey it looks like the money he is looking for puts him out of the Nugget price range.

    AI's 20 mil comes of next year. Camby's off in 09/10, have to play the waiting game and get by with what we have.

  • July 8, 2008

    1:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    buffsblg writes:

    Do we really need another, "play hard when I feel like it" guy on this team with no defense and no desire? No thanks, plenty of those here now. I just do not see how they expect this team to be better.

  • July 8, 2008

    5:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    wilburM writes:

    Harrison should have played harder with his previous teams and perhaps someone would be interested in him now. classic underachiever with immense talent and very little want-to. why can't any of these guys have Najera's ethic?