By Andrea Montolivo |
Chicago (USA) (EFE).- Ron Harper, one of the most successful players in NBA history, triple champion with the Bulls and winner of two rings with the Lakers, expressed this Thursday in an interview with EFE his admiration for the Spanish Pau Gasol and his legacy in Los Angeles and considered that he deserves to enter the Hall of Fame for “how he fought” for his dreams on the track.
Harper was part of the Bulls dynasty and won the so-called ‘Three-peat’, the consecutive titles of 1996, 1997 and 1998, and put the icing on the cake with two other rings in the Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’ Neal.
Retired in 2001, he now enjoys life and golf, but he passionately follows an NBA season in which he sees at least seven teams capable of succeeding and two clear MVP contenders, such as Joel Embiid and the Serbian Nikola Jokic who, in In his opinion, “they would exchange that prize with a ring of champions.”
The current season of the NBA
Among his possible candidates are Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies, who will play this Sunday, in ‘prime time’ in Europe, a very special game for Harper, against the Bulls at the United Center.
Question: The NBA is experiencing one of the most competitive seasons in recent years in the fight for the playoffs. What are your favourites?
Answer: Since the All-Star break there are many teams in contention. You have three or four teams that can go to the Finals in the West. That’s always good to see. Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are going to fight in the West. The Grizzlies have a chance, but they’re young.
In the East I see Boston, Milwaukee, ‘Philly’, and the Cavs, who are young. It’s going to be fun.
Q: The Dallas Mavericks were also suitors, but the Kyrie Irving deal isn’t working out. Why do you think they are having so much difficulty?
A: It’s hard to do a huge deal, sign Kyrie and change the way the team plays. There is little time, I don’t think they have enough time to understand what is happening. It’s going to be hard for them.
The teams in which Harper made history
Q: Do you see ‘your’ Lakers and Bulls capable of reaching the postseason?
A: If they are healthy they have options to reach the first round. I think the Lakers have more options to go far, with LeBron James, with Anthony Davis. I think they have more options than the Bulls.
Q: The Lakers retired Pau Gasol’s jersey this year and the NBA is about to induct him into the Hall of Fame. What do you think of his legacy in American basketball?
A: Pau Gasol is a great player, he had a great career. It is a very good moment for the team and for him. It’s a great moment, he’s going to be in the Hall of Fame, I know he fought a lot for that, for his goals, and I’m happy for him.
Q: What was it like to be part of two of the strongest teams of all time in the NBA?
A: When you are in big teams you can always dream of going for the title. I was lucky to play with ‘MJ’, Scottie Pippen, Kuco (Tony Kukoc), Shaq, Kobe, great players, and I had a great manager like Phil Jackson. I had great teams. We are all competitive. When the players give their best version, everything is possible.
Q: Who is your favorite for MVP?
A: Joel Embiid and Joker (Jokic) are going to fight for MVP, there is also Giannis. He is having a great year. Embiid if he’s healthy, he’s in the fight. It’s hard to know who he will be, but I’m sure the top two, Joker and Embiid, would trade MVP for a championship ring.