Four years into an NBA career that quite possibly could go no further, David Harrison, the newest and easily biggest Timberwolf, has reached a crossroads with so much to prove.
At age 26, he intends to display a newfound maturity in what he calls perhaps a last chance to "resurrect"
his professional life.
Oh, and he wants to demonstrate one other thing, too.
"That I'm not a pothead, I guess,"
he said.
The Wolves signed the 7-footer to a one-year, nonguaranteed contract, a low-risk move that provides legitimate center size on a roster lacking it. The move also takes a chance on a prospect who was involved in a famous basketball brawl his rookie season with Indiana and was suspended for five games by the NBA last season for violating its antidrug policies.
He said he turned down European teams and nonguaranteed contract possibilities with Chicago and Dallas to sign with the Wolves because he was impressed with Kevin McHale. McHale's friendship with former Celtics teammate Larry Bird, the Pacers executive for whom Harrison played for four seasons, didn't hurt, either.
"McHale's a great man,"
Harrison said. "From our conversations, I can tell he cares a lot about the game and his players. He just gave me a general sense of well-being. I have to prove to the owners, the fans, my teammates that I am someone who can be depended upon to play both ends of the court and that I'll be ready for 82 games."
Those questions remain four years after the Pacers made him the 29th player selected in the 2004 NBA draft. Harrison said he looks back and sees a pattern of "almost childish anger"
that caused Indiana to finally give up on him last summer.
