The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN IN THE PROS to make a case for why he should be. Harris went though a six-game stretch in which he averaged 13.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while shoot- ing 52 percent from the field late in the season. Harris signed a contract March 17 to finish the year with the Cleveland Cavaliers after two 10-day stints with the club. He finished the season av- eraging 6.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. "I definitely have to keep proving myself," he told the Morning Journal. "I had some good games last year. You have to keep proving yourself and working hard. In my position, that's what I have to do." He'll never take a spot in the NBA for granted, he added. "I'm going to keep working like I am now — an undrafted player, non-guaranteed contract. I'm always going to have a chip on my shoul- der. Hopefully, I can get to the point where my contract is guaranteed. You can play more comfortable." Harris started the season with a ami Heat: Played in 28 regular-season games and averaged 1.5 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.8 minutes per game … Has appeared in one playoff game, but did not register any statistics. • Darius Morris (2010-11), G, Los An- geles Lakers: Averaged 2.4 points and 1.1 assists in 8.9 minutes per game over 19 contests in the regular season … Averaging 3.3 points in 2.3 minutes per game in the playoffs. in a loss at Phoenix and 21 in a loss at Memphis. • Juwan Howard (1991-94), F, Mi- freak foot injury, but tore it up with Canton of the NBA's D-League. He averaged 24 points per game with a high of 45 in auditioning to rejoin the Cavs. He never doubted he'd return, though he admitted the season was a struggle. Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said consistency would determine how long Harris stays with the club. "That's always the key with young guys — consistency and to see if he can play just as well the next night," he said. "A lot of guys when they're that young they have one of those real good games and they feel, 'OK, I'm OK now,' instead of seeing if they can take it to a different level. "Defensively has not really been points. I think he had a couple to- night, though. He has been very good this series as far as chasing down pucks," Rangers head coach John Tortorella said of Hagelin's two assists. "I thought that was key tonight." Hagelin notched 14 points and 24 assists in 64 regular-season games. He's added an element of speed that was immediately noticeable and was on display against the Capitals. "The legs were good," Hagelin his problem. It's really on the of- fensive end — understanding when to shoot and when not to, when to move the ball. He does a pretty good job of making hard cuts and things like that, but decision-making is one of his biggest weaknesses, something he's got to continue to work on." • Jamal Crawford (Played at U-M in 2000), G, Portland Trail Blazers: Aver- aged 13.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.0 re- bounds per game in the regular season … Finished the season by scoring 22 NBA PLAYER UPDATES Through May 14 said. "I think the whole team was doing a good job skating and getting on pucks … "It's unreal. It's what you dream former Michigan icer Carl Hagelin didn't score a goal in New York's game seven win over Washington in the Easter Conference semifinals May 13, but he was a big reason the Rangers advanced. He was "electric," the New York Post reported, in leading his team to a showdown with the New Jersey Devils. "Hags doesn't end up with many YORK TO CONFERENCE FINALS New York Rangers rookie and The NHL CARL HAGELIN LEADS NEW Putz posted an ERA of 2.17 last season, but he has struggled in 2012. Through May 14, he was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and two blown saves in 11 appearances. Major League Baseball was one of the National League's best closers last year, with an ERA of 2.17 and an opponents' batting average of only .195. The Arizona reliever has struggled a year later, off to an 0-2 start with a 9.00 ERA and six saves. He's blown two saves in 10 innings pitched (11 games). "You can see where he's trying Former Michigan pitcher J.J. Putz J.J. PUTZ STRUGGLING TO FIND THE PLATE to throw the ball and it hasn't gone there," manager Kirk Gibson told the Arizona Republic. Gibson planned to sit down with pitching coach Charles Nagy and Putz to get his pitcher back on track. He had no plans to remove him from his closer's role as of May 14. "He's just trying to figure out how about: Playing game seven, Madison Square Garden, and winning game seven. It's hard to describe, and it's obviously an amazing feeling." Former Wolverine Mike Knuble mers of the Phoenix Coyotes is the only other U-M alum whose team is still alive. Phoenix is facing the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Finals, though Summers has yet to play in the postseason. He played in 21 regular-season games and notched three assists. to use his stuff," Gibson said. "He has to get it where he wants to get it, though." Michigan is represented by four PHOTO COURTESY ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS finished the series with a goal and an assist for the Capitals. Michigan defenseman Chris Sum- other major leaguers. Kansas City second baseman Chris Getz was batting .282 with six RBI, nine runs scored and six stolen bases as of May 14, while the three others — Rich Hill (Boston), Zach Putnam (Colorado) and Clayton Richard (San Diego) — are all pitchers. Putnam has pitched in one game this year and allowed one hit in an inning's work. Hill has allowed two hits and a run in 62 for an ERA of 1.35 through seven games, while Richard stood 1-5 with a 5.32 ERA in seven games. ❏ ⁄3 innings pitched JUNE/JULY 2012 THE WOLVERINE 81