Devin Harris Turns to Donovan McNabb For Help

The Nets are rapidly losing ground in the LeBron-stakes, and probably aren't moving to Brooklyn anytime soon. So on that front, this season's been a disappointment. But if you look at what this actual team's been doing, right now, New Jersey's finest have been a pleasant surprise. They're hovering around .500, and have a chance at the playoffs. Devin Harris has emerged as a star, Vince Carter's been reborn, and rookie Brook Lopez has single-handedly cleared away all the clutter of promising big men on that roster.

Now, though, there's trouble in paradise. Coach Lawrence Frank opted to bench Harris and Carter for the second half of a loss to Boston, one they were bound to lose no matter what. From the Post's Nets Blog:

After the Nets' first practice following the second-half benching, Harris admitted he was "perturbed" at the time, added Nets' higher-ups weren't happy about the call and said he didn't know how he'd respond. ...

"I was a little perturbed. That's what days off are for," said Harris, who texted Eagles QB Donovan McNabb to see how he dealt with coach Andy Reid's benching him earlier this season.

Wait, say what?

"Nobody likes to sit over there. I shot a text message to Donovan. He felt the same way. I'm pretty sure he was perturbed. ... (Frank) tried to prove a point and whatnot. It was his decision. It wasn't an easy one for him. I'm sure he got some direction from upstairs as well. We move on."

Apparently Harris really is a little "touchy," if he thinks that the recurring confusion around McNabb's job security has anything to do with Frank sitting his best player, either to make a point or rest Harris. Devin Harris isn't going anywhere, unless Keyon Dooling's suddenly turned into a potential All-Star and I just didn't notice. If anything, as Nets Blog notes, Harris could outlast Frank, while McNabb is always left to wonder if Andy Reid might finally be moving on. Difference between a players' league and a coach's one, maybe. Or just an indication that Devin needs to calm down, and understand that being asked to take a seat is very different from a benching.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.