The Only Reason? Please...

The Vipers downed Reno 135-118 to reach the semifinals of the NBA Development League Playoffs tonight. To chants of M-V-P, Mike Harris did what it is he does best, scored 45 points with 13 rebounds while hitting 19-of-31 shots (and to think... he missed his first five shots...).

What Harris did was allow the Vipers to run the offense through him. He gave the Vipers a more physical presence inside who could attack Rod Benson and create contact as well. He gave them leadership and a cool head. Harris' contributions to this win cannot be underestimated.

But if you think he's the only reason the Vipers won this game... or that he shouldn't have been allowed to play in this game... then I have something to say to you.

The Vipers were 22-9 when Harris started and 25-9 with him over all. That means they were also 9-5 without him and 12-5 when he didn't start, period. It's not like the Vipers become an inept team without Harris.

Is he a key cog? Yes. But the Vipers won game one in Reno and almost won game two at home without Harris. Would they have won tonight without Harris? I have no idea. They certainly would have used a different game plan.

There's a reason Coach Finch has been to the playoffs now 12 times in 13 seasons. There's a reason he has seven championships and four Coach of the Year Awards. There's a reason he's the head coach of the British National Team... and it's not that he doesn't know how to adjust to different situations. In fact, I don't think I've ever been around a coach who's better at making adjustments than him.

However, I find the idea that Harris shouldn't be allowed to get assigned to the Vipers at this juncture and that he saved the team ridiculous.

Mike Harris is no savior, even if we sometimes build him up as one and, in fact, I think the assignment rules are too stringent. I think the Rockets should be allowed to re-assign Jermaine Taylor and the Thunder should be allowed to re-assign D.J. White to Tulsa, despite each already having three assignments under their belts.

First, to the Harris point. He was with the team all season with the exception of a few call-ups. It's like Alonzo Gee getting assigned from San Antonio to Austin for the playoffs. It just makes sense for them to be allowed to finish what they started.

Additionally, teams that understand how to use their minor league affiliates effectively also understand the value in having guys exposed to a winning atmosphere. And if nothing else, it's also a chance for more playing time, which players on assignment usually need. Harris hadn't played for the Rockets since April 4.

As for the assignments point... the whole point of having a minor league affiliate is to be able to use it to bring guys up and down for a wide variety of reasons. Down for seasoning, playing time, experience, getting used to a winning atmosphere... Up for injury replacement, an audition, or for depth... There should be no limit on total assignment and there should also be no cut-off date for assignment. The Rockets had to assign Harris today. Their last game of the regular season is Wednesday. If the Rockets didn't assign Harris before that game, they would not have been allowed to assign him.

I'm sure the reason for that is competitive balance, but keep in mind that NBA teams in the playoff run can still do assignments. So much for competitive balance, eh?

I think the NBA Development League's long-term goal is the baseball model. Well, baseball teams send young guys down for AAA playoffs (or AAA guys to AA, etc) all the time to expose them to a winning environment. Heck, sometimes they use the playoffs for rehab assignments. Remember, big league clubs don't have minor league affiliates for marketing or winning purposes. Those are nice bonuses... but the #1 goal of a minor league affiliate is to help the big league club win a championship. I don't mean to say they're not trying to win. That'd be ludicrous. Of course they are. You can't develop if you're not trying to win. And the Rockets have made it pretty darn clear they're committed to winning a championship in the Rio Grande Valley.

Still, it's not like they simply assigned Harris to help with that last goal. If all they wanted to do was bring a title to the RGV, they would've sent Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill down too. The fact of the matter is, they want Harris to get some more playing time before the season ends so he has something to build on going into the Summer League. If he gets a ring along the way, great.

But the simple idea that the Rockets should not have been allowed to assign Harris for this game flies in the face of the whole purpose of having an affiliated minor league.