The future of Matt Harpring
I talked to Matt Harpring Monday for a story in the Tribune. He is conducting his annual basketball camp for kids at the Murray Rec Center.
It's already been a summer to remember for Harpring, who whose wife gave birth to the couple's third child just over a month ago.
Now, Harpring is trying to determine whether knee and ankle injuries will force an end to his 11-year NBA career.
He didn't tell me his final plans, but I get the feeling that Harpring won't play again.
"The [knee] cartilage isn't there any more -- it just isn't," he said. "When motion isn't there ... I mean, I would would love to have something to make it come back. But I don't."
Harpring has already thought about life after basketball because he's endured knee surgery and, last summer, a nasty post-operative infection in his ankle that required antibiotics for six months.
Harpring struggled through the season, which he vows won't happen again.
I asked Harpring if it was "weird" to think about leaving a sport that has been such an important part of his life for the last 25 years.
"It is a little weird," he said, "but it's something I thought about last year because, if you had asked me in July, I honestly would have said, 'There's no way I'm going to play. I can't even walk.'
"I've also had a couple of knee surgeries where the doctors said, 'You're done. There's no way you can play.' So the thought of post-career life has been on my mind, even though I've never had it happen. But, obviously, the reality now is it could be very soon."
What does Harpring plan to do, besides being a husband and a father to three kids who, currently, are all under the age of four?
"I have an interest in a lot of things," Harpring said. "I'm not going to jump into one right away just because it's the first opportunity. But I know there are a lot of things out there I can do and be happy."
-- Steve Luhm
It's already been a summer to remember for Harpring, who whose wife gave birth to the couple's third child just over a month ago.
Now, Harpring is trying to determine whether knee and ankle injuries will force an end to his 11-year NBA career.
He didn't tell me his final plans, but I get the feeling that Harpring won't play again.
"The [knee] cartilage isn't there any more -- it just isn't," he said. "When motion isn't there ... I mean, I would would love to have something to make it come back. But I don't."
Harpring has already thought about life after basketball because he's endured knee surgery and, last summer, a nasty post-operative infection in his ankle that required antibiotics for six months.
Harpring struggled through the season, which he vows won't happen again.
I asked Harpring if it was "weird" to think about leaving a sport that has been such an important part of his life for the last 25 years.
"It is a little weird," he said, "but it's something I thought about last year because, if you had asked me in July, I honestly would have said, 'There's no way I'm going to play. I can't even walk.'
"I've also had a couple of knee surgeries where the doctors said, 'You're done. There's no way you can play.' So the thought of post-career life has been on my mind, even though I've never had it happen. But, obviously, the reality now is it could be very soon."
What does Harpring plan to do, besides being a husband and a father to three kids who, currently, are all under the age of four?
"I have an interest in a lot of things," Harpring said. "I'm not going to jump into one right away just because it's the first opportunity. But I know there are a lot of things out there I can do and be happy."
-- Steve Luhm
8:10 PM
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7 Comments:
Are the Jazz still obligated to pay the $6.5 million due Harpring this season? Or will they have the ability to lower luxury tax penalties with the loss of Harpring?
If he's forced to retire, any chance of Harpring joining the Jazz coaching staff? I've felt for some time that he'd be a terrific basketball coach, maybe he could be groomed into Jerry's eventual heir.
If Harp decides to end his career the Utah Jazz have to retire #15!!!! He´s been great with the team and the city, he gave everything, hustle and great playing. The Jazz should retire his number, he wore that uniform with the courage of one of the best!! Hope you the best, Harp!
Rafael: "If he's forced to retire, any chance of Harpring joining the Jazz coaching staff? I've felt for some time that he'd be a terrific basketball coach, maybe he could be groomed into Jerry's eventual heir."
There might be a possibility of Harpring joining the Jazz's staff at some point, but Coach Sloan already has an heir in Phil Johnson. (Unless, for some reason, Greg Miller wants to go in a different direction than that publicly voiced by his father before his father died.)
Baaster: "Are the Jazz still obligated to pay the $6.5 million due Harpring this season?"
They would probably negotiate a buyout.
It's also possible, because of all the doctor's reports, that the Jazz could get most of his contract covered by insurance. The league might then give the Jazz a medical exception so that they can find a replacement for Harpring. I think this would be the best option for all parties.
Ken: "There might be a possibility of Harpring joining the Jazz's staff at some point, but Coach Sloan already has an heir in Phil Johnson."
I'm aware of it, but Johnson has been roughly the same age as Sloan, so he's likely to retire sooner rather than later (I don't know, maybe they'll walk away at the same time). If he stays at the helm, it won't be for much longer.
It seems to me that the Jazz should have other options for when Sloan calls it quits, and Harpring looks promising. (FWIW, I feel fine with Jerry staying for as long as he wants to, but it doesn't seem realistic he'll last more than five years or so, with all due respect).
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