Josh Harrellson preferred people call him the “garbage man” for his suddenly changing role. Boston coach Patrick Chambers had a different idea after Harrellson’s 12-point, 11-rebound performance in Kentucky’s 91-57 win over Boston on Tuesday: mother hen.
“I love that kid,” Chambers said postgame. “He does everything that you want a center or a big man to do. He plays ball screens great, he rebounds the basketball, he blocks shots. He’s the mother hen out there.”
The mother what? That was Harrellson’s response postgame when a UK media relations employee told Harrellson what Chambers said.
“I said ‘What? What’s that?’ ” Harrellson said.
Judging by Harrellson’s recent play, it’s a do-whatever-it-takes leadership role that is fitting the “kind of” farm boy quite nicely. In six games this season, Harrellson is averaging 5.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
On a team spread thin with big men, Harrellson is providing key minutes while the Cats wait to hear final word on the eligibility status of Turkish forward Enes Kanter.
“That’s just a role I guess I’m taking to heart, going out there and being a defender, being an offensive rebounder, (making) put-backs, not really worrying about getting post-ups or getting the ball,” Harrellson said. “We’ve got so much offense (that) I don’t need to score 20 points a night to be successful. If I just put my 10 points in or if me and Eloy (Vargas) combine for a double-double and getting offensive rebounds through each other, we’re going to be just fine.”
Harrellson’s rising play comes just a month after he was relegated to Calipari’s doghouse for some offhand comments about his coach on Twitter. Calipari privately disciplined the 6-foot-10 forward from St. Charles, Mo., and required that Harrellson put in extra conditioning before practice every day.
It turns out the punishment was a blessing in disguise. Harrellson is in the best shape he’s been since coming to Kentucky two years ago and it’s paid off on the court. His teammates have noticed the swell in production and a couple of them, guard/forward Darius Miller and forward Eloy Vargas, have joined Harrellson before practice.
“He covers for everybody,” Chambers said. “If there’s a blow-by, he’s right there making good plays, good decisions. They gave him the ball a couple of times, which is good for us, but he made a couple hooks shots and he made a layup and he did some good things. I really like him. He’s perfect for this team.”
Chambers was asked why Harrellson, who lacks the God-given skills that players like Terrence Jones and DeMarcus Cousins possess, is perfect for a team that features mega recruits like Jones and Brandon Knight.
“Because he really doesn’t need the basketball,” Chambers said. “He doesn’t demand the basketball. He knows his role. If he gets the basketball, it’s great, he’s happy about that, but if he doesn’t get a shot attempt, he’s happy about that. That’s somebody who has bought into what Coach Cal wants him to do.”
Harrellson even tried to take what he said was his first charge attempt of his career in the second half of Tuesday night’s Boston game.
“I’m going to start taking charges,” Harrellson said, emphasizing start. “Today was my first attempt I’ve ever taken in my entire life in basketball. Coach Cal said, ‘Just do one,’ so I tried. I went a little early, but hopefully we can fix that.”
Harrellson was called for a blocking foul, but the effort and newfound attitude has been a refreshing addition on a team in search of some vocal veteran leaders.
“I can take that role. I can take the freshmen under my wings and show them the right way, lead by example and be the vocal leader out there when they need it,” Harrellson said in playing Chambers’ barnyard assessment to a T.
In perfect follow-up fashion, Harrellson was asked what he would do as the “mother hen” if his teammates “laid an egg.”
“We’re gonna fry it up,” Harrellson said.
