Right true,, and if the bulls would have gotten the scorer Ron Harper along with Jordan then they possibly could have won 7championships. Harp had decent court vision outside of playing the Triangle offense.
@@carlwallace1129 blows my mind he was a 22ppg scorer coming out of college. I also still exclusively know him as the “the other 6 foot 6 guard with elite defense”, but apparently dude was a bucket getter in Cleveland. Weird to think what if the bulls asked him to shoot more?
@@sinisterdrip True indeed, Harper had like a Dr.J ,Terrance Stansbury swingman style of play but was a underrated passer that was able to find open players when was slashing or when leading the break. He was more unleashed on The clippers where he shot and made more 3pointers but his % beyond the arc wasn't Impressive but he progressed from when he was in Cleveland .
FACTS, he was nicknamed HOLLYWOOD Harp ,, he was flamboyant in the open court and became a better shooter from midrange in L.A. ,in Cleveland he was on a tight leash after his rookie season .then he got loose his last year in Cleveland and L.A
I was at a buffalo wild wings in Tucson, AZ watching the game 7 between the Cavs and celtics a few years ago. As I was sitting there a family of three sat next to me and it was Ron Harper!!!! He invited me to watch the game with his table. Shit was the greatest night I've had!!! Dude was such a stand up guy... He covered an expensive ass bill!!! It was a random encounter.
As much as I want to believe this wholesome story, I have a hard time believing Ron Harper would ask a rando at bdubs to join his table. I’m like the other guy, pics or it didn’t happen
The Clippers were playing excellent ball when Harper injured his knee. They were on an Eastern Conference road trip and went 5-3, when that meant something. Two of those losses were to the eventual champion Detroit Pistons by 2 points, and to New York on a non-call on a Patrick Ewing goaltend at game end, costing the Clippers a basket and the win. But "injuries are part of the game" so may we not play out of control.
It was a crime that he didn't have an episode dedicated to him like Rodman. Just goes to show the producers never watched the Bulls just read the newspapers. Harper was just as important to those teams as Rodman. He just didn't act like an idiot to draw attention to himself.
That was all Jordan’s plot. He couldn’t make the team look too good. That wouldn’t make Jordan seem as great. Jordan is a crook for trying to downplay how good Harper was. Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Harper were a Big 4.
When this guy came out of Miami of Ohio he was being compared with Jordan from a standpoint of athleticism. Injuries derailed his career but he was good enough to salvage a good career as a role player and defender.
Ron successfully reinvented his game and became a lockdown defender as a Chicago Bull. Pretty sure he could still score some buckets if he really wanted to but he knew he could help the team better if he played his role right.
@@andylarkin5779 but did he. No. Then after winning 3 rings arguably one of the most successful coaches and players of all time re hired him in another team and he got two more. In some cases you may well be correct good sir but not in this one and in any case even an nba bench warmer would no doubt beat the crap out of both of us combined with one hand tied behind his back
@@andylarkin5779 Harper was an essential player on those 3 Bulls championship teams. Without him Jordan only has 3 rings. I lived in Illinois and watched all the Bulls games on local TV. Watching him night after night really made me appreciate what a great player he was and how essential he was to those teams winning. Rodman gets a lot of credit for his defense, but Harper was just as good. Calling him a role player just tells me someone never saw him play much. He always locked down the other team's #1 guard, but never got an recognition for his hard work and great defense.
Don’t forget how good of a wing defender he was. Just goes to show how great the Defense was on those Bulls teams when Harper is your third best defensive wing.
@@darkel8178 MJ, Scottie, Harper and Rodman would match up really well against GSW. There’s no big to punish them and even them Rodman would do decently well as we already saw him against Shaq
Ron Harper was underrated among those who didn't watch basketball. I watched the battles between the Bulls and Cavs and the Cavs would kill us consistently and Ron Harper always played a big part in that. Haper and Jordan had some good battles and he more than held his own he was giving MJ the business. So when he came to be a Bull with MJ despite not being the gunner he use to be, it was a lock.
Ron Harper was one of those guys that had his career greatly changed by injury. Before his ACL/Cartilage injury, some considered him a poor man's Jordan.
Kudos for making a video on ron harper.. He really is very underrated nowadays. But during those years, he was recognized well enough, just not enough to bump off other great players off the allstar game. Ron was one of my fav players even before joining the bulls.
OMG his contribution to the Bulls is super underrated in his role in their success. Coming back from a bad injury, his career could have easily tanked but he adapted his game and dude always made the right play. His bball acumen off the charts.
Ron Harper was a meme with my friends and I growing up that he was the greatest player of all time, because on NBA Live 95 if you made a team of all Ron Harpers, they would be ranked #1 overall in every category.
@@JelaniWood Depends on whose house we were at. I had the SNES but my friend down the street had the Genesis. Living room tournaments were the shit. Mitch Richmond was an absolute beast in that game.
@@albonthegoat I remember about 9 of us skipping school and sneaking to a friend's house and having a tournament. The next year in college with some of my friends we had a copy of NBA Live 96 that we used to update with all the trades and make some of the players a little bit more accurate and we used to pass that version around to each other and keep the game updated every day with the actual NBA. I used to work part-time at a video game store across the street from my house about three or four years ago and I bought myself a used copy of NBA Live 96 on the Genesis just to have it sitting on my shelf right now
The Prime Ron Harper was a flamboyant shooting guard and slasher (Eddie Jones upgrade in the 80s era) 8 yrs ahead of his time ,skilled off the dribble and nice court vision & Passer. Adequate outside shooter earlier in his career as he declined into a role player his outside shot progressed to average at best. Always been a solid defender.
Ron Harper. My favorite player with Pippen when I played in College. He knew his role (it had changed a lot during his NBA odyssey). I felt his role changed a lot because he could do almost everything on the court. One of the most underrated player in the 1990s with Rod Strickland. There is no player like him anymore. But, the closest in term of "adaptability" and IQ is probably Rondo.
Hahaa sweet, I said earlier he deserves a video, hes been around championships his whole career. Same with Kerr, before and after playing days. Also same with Horace, he already went to the finals with another team, so that's always sweet to me. I was a 6 2' mostly role player too so I love givi g these guys love. Champs are won off these guys backs too
By the time Ron got to the Bulls he wasn't a star anymore like with the Clips. He was a good consistent defender and could score 20 when needed. Also, he played some point and got the triangle initiated at times on offense.
IMO, Harper’s career was similar to the late Dennis Johnson’s. They both were primarily scorers early in their careers while becoming defensive stoppers as their careers progressed.
He sacrificed much in order to be a bull. To win a ring. Your ignorance is obvious. He averaged 20 points a game the season prior to joining the Bulls. 4.6 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
@@williamhelton7037 Easy on them. Most likely too young to know better. Dont forget his knee injury began flaring again and worse in 1994 season with Bulls. He had to sacrifice a whole lot more cause of his injury as well. Phil Jackson plan was to have him as a 3rd option offensively but didnt work out but his defense remained elite.
Man, I LOVED watching Ron Harper play. Very underrated, and in his prime, could do a lot of the things Jordan could do. I still believe he and Jordan made the best backcourt in the NBA when they were winning titles.
Damn I only really remember Ron Harper from the bulls, he did not look like he did with the Cavs, he looked pretty great good video my man, love this content, it takes me back 👍🏻
I grew up watching this dude on the Cavs vs my Bulls. Much respect way before he played for the Bulls. One of the most underrated careers out there. HoF type resume nevermind the lack of All-Star selections. Sean David was right the 80's and 90's East was stacked. Tough to make the All-Star team.
Harper had an excellent career. Prior to his injury, he was one of the best shooting guards in the game. After the injury he became a great role player and played on 5 championship rings. A lot of guys are too proud to get in where they fit in.
Very Underrated Player and one of my fav players even before he joined the Chicago Bulls. Injuries changed how he played the game but he still averaged 19 plus points a game and as stated his role changed upon signing with the Bulls and Was still effective salute Ron Harper
This is a great video. We need to see more career paths of good players who maybe didn't get their names on shoes and posters, but were still important.
I remember when Ron was thought to be as good as Jordan. It was before had actually Won a ring too , so it was legit for a minute. It’s a trip thinking that now but when Harper was drafted he was BoG Time and then when him & Danny Manning were together on The Clippers they were supposed to be the ones to get a chip. Ron got his but as Mike’s teammate. Ron was perfect in that Triangle and then having that length on Defense from both Mike & Ron as the Guards.
Ron Harper was a big part in those Chicago Bulls championships with his defense and his passing and his scoring even though he didn't score a lot he was huge overall and that's why he was well respected. And on a side note I have a you tube channel type in Russell Mills May 22, 2017.
Ron Harper had a speech impediment he worked hard to get rid of. I’m sure that affected his marketability. I liked him when he was on the Clippers then he went over to the bad guys... the Bulls. Still I have a lot of respect for him.
Ron was really underated and I think I know why. He never really spoke to reporters or ESPN due to his stuttering problem. And people didn't get to know him personally. But, man he could handle that ball and play defense. matter of fact I'm goin on eBay right now and buy his RC...
im 44 from cleveland. yes i have met ron harper before and yes i was sad as a kid when he got traded. we were always like "jordan who?" because we had ron harper.
Wasn't a Cavs fan but followed them 'cause of Hot rod and I totally agree with you about ron harper. I just thought that, man if they keep that squad together just a bit longer. Ron would keep MJ busy.
I was born in 1973 in Seattle, where I grew up. Sonics and Blazers fan. Japanese-American. I knew Ron Harper was prime time with the Cavs and Clippers. I did NOT know that he could still dunk as a Bull! Injuries slowed him, by the time he was a Bull.
All these young fans saying the Bulls were a super team. Ron Harper just shut them all down. Everyone on the 90s Bulls knew their roles and play according to it. Which is why they won 6 in a 8 year span and have two separate 3-peats. Fans today acting like MJ called up Hakeem, Clyde, Barkley, Stockton, Richmond, Mark Price, Karl Malone to form a team.
Nice video Sean :) I remember watching Harp play, back then for the Bulls, he was a great fit for that team, and as mentioned, he adjusted very well. I always liked his defense above anything else :)
Harper brought a really good confidence to the team. He was a lot like pippen in his calm and dominant aura. He was a strong ball handler and played good defense on the wing.
Ron Harper was very instrumental on defense as the video mentioned often times when the bulls were down starting the 3 quarter Phil Jackson was able to use the pitbull defense led by MJ who was both mvp on Defense and offense one of only 5 players to ever achieve that in a career along with pippen who would receive defensive honors Harper and Dennis rodman. Their defense was second to none.
This guy is underrated and was a great compliment to the Bulls’ title teams. It says a lot that he adjusted his game to help his teams win championships
Ronnie Harper was such a great Hooper & the perfect example of Star player in the NBA who embraced being a role player in his later years & being a Star in that role. Ron saw the Big Picture & compromised his Game to Win Championships. MJ, Scottie, Ron, Dennis, & Randy Brown had those Breakfast Club Training Lift Sessions every morning @ MJ's house with Trainer Tim Grover. These guy's Loved the Game so much & were so committed to Winning Championships.
Was Harper playing with Dominique in LA for a time? I can barely remember cuz I didn't get to see many Clippers games on TV since I was in Ohio but dang that would've been a killer duo
Underrated 🤔🙄....by you guys!!! The NBA knew who he was!!!! It’s why he was Drafted in the first rd w the 8th pick!!!!....And..... why after his injuries, he was still sought after by contenders!!!...And has 5 rings!!!
Explain this to me: As you all know: Born in Seattle in 1973, Sonics and Blazers fan. Ron Harper, Defense: 1991-92: Defense: C. 1992-93, 1993-94, and 1994-95: Defense: D. Yet, in 1995-96, Defense: A+. HOW did Ron Harper transform from "Harper's defense is embarrassing. He's often not in the same zip code as his man."
1998 NBA Finals Game 6. Ron Harper shoots three clearly after buzzer and Dick Bavetta counts it. Howard Eisley shoots 2-pointer clearly before the buzzer and Dick Bavetta waves it off. Tim Donaghly being interviewed by the FBI is asked, "Who else was throwing games while you were as ref for the NBA". Tim, "Dick Bavetta". FBI ask, "Can you tell us of games that he threw?" Tim then lists off several games including Game 6 1998 NBA finals. 2016 Tim Donahy during podcast states once again the 1998 NBA Finals Game 6 was thrown by Dick and pointed out the exact two calls that I stated at the beginning of my comment.
Ron didn’t reinvent his defensive game, it was there from the start. He has 5 rings, the same as Kobe, one less than Jordan. Stutter not a problem, knee problem not a problem. He and Jordan got hurt early, and never again. I see why Jordan would love to have Ron on his team, cause he gave the entire bulls team the business with 4 blocks 😂 several steals 😂 10 rebounds 😂 Steve Kerr 😂 and 30 points 😂 the Bulls needed them 96-98 😂 then Kobe needed him 😂 🎉🎉🎉 I’m proud of Harp 😊 he deserves all the flowers
Howd you miss talking about the April 30,1989 playoff game Cavs vs Bulls. Cavs won and Harp had a good game overall against MJ. Harp 11reb,4 assists,5 steals,31 pts vs Mj 5reb,10assists, 2steals, 30pts.. And What if.. what if Coach Lenny assigned Harp instead of Ehlo for that famous last sec shot.
He should be a HOFER 5 Chips as a starter. B4 then, basically 20/5/5 for his career. Ppl don't realize he won 5 out of 6 years. If he would've stayed Harp would've won 6. 2 3 peats 2 different teams
I remember Ryan Hollins saying the GSW would kill the Chicago Bulls and even numerating who would guard who! Man Ryan forgot about Harper! Curry would have to work hard to get off those shots! You have Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Harper guarding you might as well sit that sorry ass!
Harper's last year with the Clippers he averaged 20 ppg. The Bulls didn't sign him to a 5-year contract to be a 7 ppg "role player". Prior to Harper's first year with the Bulls, their only double digit scorers were Pippen, Kukoc & BJ Armstrong. Horace Grant departed for Orlando & Pippen was nearly traded to the Sonics for Kemp. I imagine Jerry Krause envisioned Harper coming close to at least matching Grant's average (15 ppg) his last year with the Bulls. That didn't happen. Harper's slashing style didn't really fit the triangle and he lost playing time as the 1994-95 season wore on, even before Jordan returned. Jordan coming back prevented Harper from being lumped in with some of the biggest free agent busts of all-time. Harper adapted well to his "supporting" role on the Bulls' second 3-peat, but that certainly wasn't the original plan.
In a superhero analogy, Ron Harper would be The Thing to Michael Jordan being The Hulk: he may not beat Hulk but he definitely would give him a tough fight. Harper is, in my view, one of the top 10 (maybe even top 5) players who never made the All Star game... Also, you gotta give Harper his props for accepting his new role with the Bulls. Anyone else would’ve huffed and puffed and pouted, demanding a trade.
BTM I was blessed to witness every game of the Jordan era. Living near Chicago at the time was unbelievable. With out Ron Harper Bulls might of only won 4 Championships.
When people talk about comparing Da Bulls to more current teams, they often overlook Harper's defensive abilities. With Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Harper that's 4 serious defenders.
Skill wise Ron Harper was the closest to MJ that I have seen.Ironically he and MJ was the same height and weight ( 6'6" 198lbs ) when they came into the league.He played with flair, had speed, could pass, had handles, ups and played D.Always held his own against MJ.Despite knee injuries that took away some of his athleticism he showed he had a high basketball IQ and was able to change his game to still be an effective player and contributor to 5 championship teams.Those who missed a fully healthy Harper for those Cave teams missed one of the most exciting players ever.He ( skills)and Kobe ( skills and mentality) are the closest to MJ ever.
Highly underrated! He was a beast in Cleveland. Never backed down from the goat. Muke would get his 30 35 but Ron always got his 19 to 30 with Mike and scottie guarding him.
Sadly, his description of what a 2 guard does from 8:40 onwards doesn't exist anymore in today's NBA. Now, it's - "a 2 guard brings down the ball then chucks a three"
The game is just not the same nowadays as it used to be back in the 1990s I will never forget all those amazing great games, I really enjoyed watching basketball & playing 🏀 looking back on it now didn't realize what I was watching 🤔🤦♂️
