Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor wasn't surprised by Matt Harpring 's announcement that he would be unable to play this season. "Expected," O'Connor said, prior to the Jazz -Pacer game Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena. On Thursday night, Harpring informed the team that health issues would prevent him from rejoining the Jazz and, in fact, have jeopardized his career.
"He's in double digits in surgeries on his ankles and he's had two microfracture surgeries on his knees," O'Connor said. "I think, going forward, he looked at it and probably knew he wouldn't be able to perform like he's been able to previously."
An 11-year veteran out of Georgia Tech, Harpring has not practiced or played this season. He has been trying to rehab his injuries at home in Atlanta.
"It's not that he's 37 or 38 years of age," O'Connor said. "His body just betrayed him at this point, that's all. ...
"Could he have played every week? Could he have played every fourth day? That might have been a possibility. But you don't know that, either."
The bottom line?
Said O'Connor: "He understands that he averaged 11 minutes a game last year and in some games he was very good but in some games he couldn't move his legs well enough. ... He just can't perform at the level he needs to within an NBA schedule."
Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko praised Harpring's contribution to the franchise since he signed as a free agent prior to the 2002-03 season.
"He did a lot for the Jazz in his Basketball role," Kirilenko said.
"Lately, he got a lot of injuries and it's pretty tough to keep playing -- keep pushing yourself. But he's definitely a good player and a professional. He was a good example for young players."
?
Korver still waiting
Unlike C.J. Miles , Kyle Korver was unable to make his season debut against Indiana.
Out since the preseason with a torn thumb ligament, Miles played for the first time in the Jazz's win over the Pacers. But Korver, sidelined since the preseason after knee surgery, will have to wait for another day.
New tests on Korver show his hamstring strength is 100 percent and his quad strength is 95 percent.
"But there is still some scar tissue there and some pain with certain movements," Korver said. "I'm hoping [to play] sometime next week."
Said O'Connor: "It's up to him now. He's got to get comfortable to where he feels he can go out and compete."
luhm@sltrib.com
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