HOUSTON — Nuggets coach Michael Malone first met Devin Harris at all-star weekend in 2009, when Malone was part of the coaching staff for the Eastern Conference team that included Harris.
Even during pregame practices that are notoriously “a joke,” Malone was impressed with Harris’ quickness with the ball. But the coach most remembers the appreciation Harris showed as a first-time all-star surrounded by the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
The text messages Malone received from members of the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff Thursday confirmed Harris’ attitude has not changed. The Nuggets acquired Harris in a trade deadline deal to bring his steady on-court production and veteran leadership to a team in a hunt for the playoffs.