Great stories of the 2003 NBA season -- Matt Harpring

Matt Harpring could score in college, finishing second all-time in Georgia Tech history with 2,225 points in his career, but for the first four years of his pro-career he averaged only nine points per game.

Yes, he was injured for all but four games his second season and missed 26 more the next year, but the main reason he was not scoring as much as in college was because of his lack of options.

As a rookie with the Orlando Magic, he still needed to prove himself.

In Cleveland, he had a better chance, getting the starting nod 55 times, but again he was limited by his injuries.

Then last year in Philly he had a better chance. He was basically injury-free, missing only one game all season. It looked as if he could show everyone what he could do, just like in his college days!

But, alas, standing in his way this time was a shot-loving rapper who goes by the nickname of "The Answer."

With Allen Iverson taking so many of the shots in Philly, Harpring had to start doing the "little things" because of his lack of scoring chances. He averaged a career-high seven rebounds, opening up shots for his teamate(s). He dove on the floor for loose-balls, and he got noticed.

In Philly, there were times when he clashed with head coach Larry Brown, and even felt unappreciated, but the team knew they had to have him back. They offered a multi-year contract to Harpring, but he really wanted to go to a team where he would feel he was wanted, and the Jazz wanted him.

He said in an interview with SLAM magazine, "there were few teams in the League that I would fit in with. Utah was one of those teams."

So he moved to the place he wanted to be and started producing like everyone wanted him to.

Averaging more than 17 points per game and giving all he has through the first 21 games this season, he is helping the Jazz win some big games. Proving he could score with the right chance (and taking passes from John Stockton and Mark Jackson is a pretty good chance!) he is showing that he could do what he did in college.

Now Jazz fans hope he can go to the next level when the Pick n' Roll is gone from Salt Lake City.

We can say one thing for sure -- he will try his hardest and give all he has for the team that wanted him.