The Underrated Impact of Montrezl Harrell

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Often in the NBA, we tend to gravitate towards and pay closest attention to the stars in the league. They sell the jerseys, they sell the gatorade, and they set the competitive landscape for the league. The Los Angeles Clippers are led by two of the biggest stars in the NBA in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, which means that less well-known players on the roster tend to fly under the radar.

Montrezl Harrell just won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award - but that still might not do the Louisville product justice. In his fifth year as a pro, Harrell averaged 18.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds per game. His points and rebounding averages have increased every year since he was a rookie - Harrell is a true student of the game.

As arguably the most important player to the Clippers outside of their two stars, the big man was selected 32nd overall in the 2015 draft by the Houston Rockets. Two years later, he was shipped to LA as part of the Chris Paul trade.

The 26-year old energizer brings heart and soul to the court every time he checks in, no matter the situation. He brings a high level of intensity that every contender needs to compete with the best teams in the league.

Harrell is not a player who opposing coaches will primarily game plan for, but he certainly demands the respect and awareness of his opponents. He’s a player fans ought to know better.

Teammate Lou Williams presented the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year award to Harrell. He credited and thanked his late grandmother.

“She told me that this year was going to be my year.” Harrell said. “I went back to the room and contemplated having our talks one-on-one because we have had these talks and she told me I was going to win it this year. And it hurts. Yes, it is a tremendous blessing that I was able to get this and be here, but it hurts that I am not able to take it home to her.”

While Harrell might be an all-around good guy off the court, on the hardwood he is an intimidator. He is a guy who will not only stand up for his own teammates but will jab at the opposing team if they get under his skin. His tiff and subsequent reconciliation with Luka Dončić a few weeks ago is proof positive of the above.

Harrell is a tough player and while we all love a nice underdog story, Harrell seems to embrace the opposite. He is aware that some will see him or the Clippers as villains and he fully accepts this challenge through his intensity and on-court production.

Harrell’s production certainly outperforms his contract. He is making a modest $6 million this season as one of the most important members on the deepest team in the league. While Harrell is due for a large payday after this season, as he will enter unrestricted free agency, he is focused on the present team he is on and giving his all to the team where he blossomed into the young talent he is today.

We see it often, every championship team needs a player on their roster who isn’t afraid to get dirty, get physical, and exert his own against the largest and most intimidating of foes. For the Clippers, that player is Harrell and there is no player on their roster who brings the grit and intangibles that he provides. After overcoming adversity all season, Harrell is more determined than ever. He is rejuvenated and ready to energize the rest of his squad.

Following their Game 7 victory against the Nuggets, the Clippers will play in their first ever Western Conference Finals against the crosstown rival Los Angeles Lakers. Hoops fanatics everywhere will have their eyes on this series and if Harrell can assert himself as the elite post player, rebounder, and defender that he is, he can guarantee himself a nice payday whether with the Clippers or elsewhere.