Utah Jazz: The 50 greatest players in franchise history
By Matt Giles
All-time greatest Utah Jazz players: No. 22 Matt Harpring
- Seasons with the franchise: Seven (2002-03 to 2008-09)
- Regular-season games played: 474
- Averages as a Jazzman: 11.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.2 blocks
- Shooting percentages: 49.0 from the field, 34.4 from three, 75.2 from the foul line
- Playoff games with Utah: 39
- Postseason averages: 8.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
Matt Harpring’s first two seasons with the Utah Jazz, at the age of 26 and 27, ended up being his most productive years as a pro, averaging at least 16 points and 6.5 boards in each.
The 6-foot-7, 230-pound forward’s 2002-03 campaign was particularly impressive given his career-high 41.3 percent clip from 3-point land in addition to his 32.8 minutes per game as a member of the final starting lineup to feature both John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Finally, remember that the Georgia Tech product, a former No. 15 overall selection at the 1998 NBA Draft, finished out his playing days in Salt Lake City and nowadays serves as an AT&T SportsNet commentator for Jazz home games. Indeed, longevity and loyalty stand out when it comes to Harpring.