Ron Harper, a five-time NBA champion, has seen the game evolve over decades, playing alongside some of basketball’s greatest legends. In a recent conversation, Harper shared his thoughts on player comparisons, his own career, and the state of the NBA today.
LeBron James: A Unique Category of His Own
When asked if LeBron James belongs in the category of all-around players like Grant Hill, Scottie Pippen, and Penny Hardaway, Harper offered a different perspective.
“Well, I don’t know if LeBron is a better athlete than what Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway was and what Tracy McGrady was,” Harper said. “If I’m going to group LeBron, I’m going to group LeBron with Oscar Robertson and Magic because he’s a great passer. Now if you’re talking about guys who can score the basketball? Grant Hill can score the basketball, he wasn’t a great passer. He could score the basketball. Tracy McGrady was a great passer and he could score. So, you can group those guys in whatever opinion that you have, none of them are going to be right and none of them are going to be wrong, they are all great players.”
What Could Have Been in Cleveland
Harper was a rising star with the Cleveland Cavaliers before injuries altered his trajectory. Reflecting on how his career could have played out without those setbacks, Harper remains pragmatic.
“Not really. A lot of my friends have. They always say: ‘If you didn’t get hurt, this or that would have happened.’ Injuries are a part of the game. The only thing that I feel is that I got every mile, every inch and every yard out of what my game was,” Harper explained. “I played on a really young Cleveland Cavaliers team that when they traded me, we felt that we were one of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference… We had a great young basketball team that really didn’t get an opportunity, I think.”
The Challenge of Playing for the Clippers
Harper’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers was marked by adversity, but he took it as a learning experience.
“It was a challenge. It was more like my high school days and playing in college at Miami (Ohio). A young team, but expected to be good,” Harper recalled. “We had a bunch of young players that could play, but really didn’t understand what the NBA was.”
Adjusting to the Triangle Offense with Chicago and L.A.
Harper transitioned from being a high-scoring guard to a key role player in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, sharing the court with icons like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
“It wasn’t that hard,” Harper said. “I was always about trying to be a part of the team… When I was in Chicago, I was averaging 22 points or 23 points and I was getting phone calls [from people saying] you got eight points, you got four points. And I said: ‘Man you got to understand, I’m playing on a great team.’”
Scottie Pippen’s Brilliance
Harper had high praise for his former teammate, Scottie Pippen, particularly during the time Jordan stepped away from basketball.
“You ain’t never going to win a championship by yourself… When MJ decided to retire, I already knew that Scottie was going to be the A guy,” Harper emphasized. “Scottie Pippen is probably the best small forward who ever played the game. He can guard positions one, two, three, four, five, he can score the basketball and he can pass it. There’s not one thing that Scottie couldn’t do at all!”
Would the Bulls Have Beaten the Rockets?
One of the great “what-ifs” in NBA history is whether the Bulls would have defeated the Houston Rockets in the 1994 and 1995 NBA Finals had Jordan not retired.
“Oh we would’ve beat them,” Kenny Smith told me on Scoop B Radio.
“And actually everyone forgets he was playing the second year, he was wearing No. 45 and the team they lost to, the Orlando Magic, we swept them,” Smith said. “We were that much better than them that year, [and] they lost to them.”
He continued:
“Even if a good, healthy Michael takes them to seven and maybe wins we would’ve beat the Bulls without a question, they didn’t match up well with us and during those years that they were actually winning championships, which wasn’t the playoffs. We were 8-2 against them during those years. We matched up well with them. We wouldn’t have been scared I tell you that much.”
Ron Harper was clear in his stance.
“I would’ve loved to have seen the Houston Rockets play the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals,” Harper said. “I don’t think the Rockets wanted that smoke. They don’t want that smoke! At all! I’m telling you. No way.”
Luka Doncic to the Lakers
Harper weighed in on the blockbuster trade involving Luka Doncic joining the Lakers.
“Yeah. The NBA is a business. I think the Luka and the Anthony Davis trade is going to work out for both teams. Luka is going to become the face of a great organization for the next ten to twelve years,” Harper stated.
Ben Simmons and the Clippers
Regarding the addition of Ben Simmons to the Clippers, Harper remained skeptical.
“I like Ben. Which Ben Simmons are we going to get? Are we going to get Ben Simmons from LSU? Are we going to get Ben Simmons from Philadelphia? This is his chance to audition for a nice contract,” Harper said. “As an NBA guy, I’m not going to go over and pay him now because he ain’t done anything. He’s been hurt, he’s got a bad attitude. Like which Ben Simmons are we going to get to see?”
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Outlook
Harper is optimistic about the Cavaliers’ chances this season.
“They made a great NBA trade at the deadline,” Harper observed. “I think this year, if Darius Garland performs in the Playoffs like he has all season long, they should be okay.”
His Son’s NBA Journey
Finally, Harper spoke about his son, Ron Harper Jr., who is currently a two-way player with the Detroit Pistons.
“When Ron was born in 2000, I went to work in Detroit in 2005 and he really spent a lot of time in the basketball gym over there with me,” Harper said. “So he really had a chance to know what Detroit is and it’s a great opportunity for him.”
From his playing days to his insight on today’s NBA, Harper’s perspective remains invaluable. Whether discussing past legends or present stars, his knowledge of the game is undeniable.
