Justin Harper

Justin Harper - Seems Stan Van Gundy is bringing in all the stretch fours from his Orlando days. Or at least, that's what Harper was projected to be. He has not shot the ball well from three point range since leaving Richmond, hitting only 31.9% of his threes last season with Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Israel, on his way to 10.4 point and 5.1 rebound averages. Nevertheless, Harper can stretch the floor a little bit, and put in on the floor as well. SVG apparently went with a stretch four in his Magic days because he had not, not because he wanted to, but now it seems it's all just his desire.

Justin Harper

Despite a guaranteed contract, Harper was waived by the Magic last offseason to incorporate all the piece of the Dwight Howard deal. He then went to the D-League and underperformed, averaging only 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 27 minutes per game. With the rest of his game solid but unremarkable, Harper only makes it back to the NBA if he can live up to his stretch four billing, but he won't do that shooting 42% from the field and 32% from three.

Pick 32: Cleveland re-appear and take Justin Harper, a stretch power forward who would have made more sense as Chicago's pick. They later trade him to Orlando in exchange for two future second round picks, where he will backup Brandon Bass, who will (or should) back up Ryan Anderson. Two second rounders for a third stringer is a little ambitious, but Harper was the right pick for this slot.

Jay Bilas lauds Harper's "touch" and "feel," which is funny if you're five. Stu Scott announces that Harper used to play the saxophone in a marching band, but gave it up when he outgrew the band's uniform. How on earth do you have a saxophone in a marching band?

Richmond's best player, leading scorer, rebounder and shotblocker this season has been upcoming draft pick Justin Harper, who does a fine impression of a lesser JaJuan Johnson. Like Johnson, Harper is an athletic face-up power forward, whose offensive game is built around his jumpshot. He can hit this shot from post-up situations while turning over either shoulder, or in catch-and-shoot situations, and already has more range than Johnson. He has similar concerns to Johnson with regards to his lack of strength and toughess, his poor defensive rebounder numbers, and his rather pedestrian dribble-drive game, but the comparison I'm forcing on you is nonetheless valid. Where he trails Johnson, other than being slightly smaller and slightly less athletic, is in the lack of counter moves.