2000-01 In Review: Antonio Harvey spent his second straight season with the Portland Trailblazers, the first time since his second season that he had been in the same place two straight years. His second season was similar to his first, as again he sat on the bench, playing just 72 minutes over 12 games, 34 of those on the season's final night against San Antonio. With former all-stars Dale Davis and Shawn Kemp coming to Portland in off-season trades, Harvey found himself buried even further coming into the season. Most of his time on the active roster came after Kemp left the team to enter rehab, and with the team suddenly a little thin up-front, there was talk that Harvey might play significant minutes in the playoffs against the Lakers as a sparkplug. That turned out to be just talk, however, as Harvey played only 14 minutes and was held scoreless during the three games.
Previous NBA Career: After completing his career at small Pfieffer College, Harvey was picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers. He spent two years in LA, playing only occasionally, before heading to Vancouver in the expansion draft. Vancouver was unwilling to stick with the project, dumping Harvey after just 18 games, despite the fact that he posted the best numbers of his career, 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and over one block per game in about 22 minutes. He returned to the end of the bench after being picked up by the Clippers. The next season, Harvey played briefly in the NBA with the Sonics before heading overseas, finishing the season with Montecatini in Italy. 1997-98 found him in Greece with Athens, and he split time the next season between another Greek team, Kritis, and Granada in Spain. In 1999-2000, Harvey returned to the NBA after being away more than two years, playing just 137 minutes while watching the Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals.
Shooting/Scoring: Harvey is not really an offensive threat. Most of his scoring comes off putbacks or other plays in the lane. Inside of five feet, he is fairly capable. Harvey doesn't have many moves in the post, and he doesn't spend much time there. Facing up, he is decent, as he can employ good quickness to get into the lane. His jump shot is just mediocre. Harvey is a terrible (and that word is not used lightly here) free throw shooter, making over 50% in only four of his seven NBA stops; only one of those in which he shot more than 40 free throws. Grade: D+
Floor Game: Harvey is not a very polished ballhandler, though he has some raw skill. He turns the ball over too much for as little as he touches it, and is not a very good passer. He does run the floor very well for a big man, making him an asset in an up-tempo style. Grade: D
Rebounding: Harvey has throughout his career been a good rebounder on a per-minute basis. He is an excellent leaper -- even competing in the Slam Dunk contest many years ago -- and this is a great asset for him while rebounding. He has been better on the defensive end than on the offensive glass in recent years. Grade: B-
Defense: Defensively, Harvey brings a great number of tools to the table. He is quick enough to keep up with most any big man in the league, and is also a fine shot blocker. In the post, however, Harvey's lack of bulk does present a bit of a problem, as he can be overpowered. Grade: B
Intangibles: Harvey is a hard worker who has accepted over the course of his career his role at the end of the bench. He supports his teammates, and is ready to play when called upon. Grade: B+
Overall: Look up journeyman in the dictionary and there very well may be a picture of Harvey. He is perennially a 12th man -- or worse -- but he is very solid in this role. He can bring energy to the team when brought into the game, and serve as a spark to some extent. However, this year Harvey is unlikely to fill this role with the Sonics because he has found a team that already has a player who could be his clone in forward Eddie Elisma. Because Elisma is younger and has a long history with the Sonics, it would seem like Harvey will be seeking employment elsewhere, perhaps in basketball's minor leagues. Grade: C-
December 1 Update: Harvey has struggled throughout the season's first month with tendinitis in his knees. He was forced into action -- even starting a game -- as the Sonics were beset by injuries up front, but has gone on the injured list since and is unlikely to see any meaningful playing time the rest of the season.
January 1 Update: Harvey has found himself logging more DNPs throughout the month, but played respectably when forced to start back-to-back games in Los Angeles at center when injuries mounted. With the Sonics slowly but surely working themselves back to health, Harvey may not see the floor again this season.
February 1 Update: With center Jerome James returning to health, Harvey became an unncecessary player for the Sonics. Looking to save money on his contract, which became guaranteed on January 10th, the Sonics cut him on the 2nd.