ESPN

Newport Beach, CA

Matt- What can we expect out of next season with John and possibly Karl gone?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:01 PM)

Well, we don't whether Karl will be back or not yet. But we'll have a new leader at the point. I expect nothing less than us getting back to the playoffs.

Ben Miller Fort Meade MD

Do you believe that the mantle of team leader will fall on you if Karl decides to move on?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:02 PM)

That's yet to be determined. If Karl does move on, we'll be signing a couple big time free agents and everyone will share in the scoring load for the team.

Terry from upstate NY

You were a big time football recruit coming out of high school in Ohio. Did you ever consider college football instead of basketball, and, if you had done so, what NFL team and position would you like to play?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:03 PM)

Well I played high school in Georgia. I have thought about it, but I've made the right decision. But if I did decide to try football, it would have been the same postition: quarterback.

Linda (PROVO)

Hi, Matt. Of the point guards that the Jazz are looking at, which one do you think (Miller, Arenas, Claxton) will fit the Jazz the best for the future of the Jazz? If you were one of the powers to be and didn't have a cap to worry about which point guard in the league would you pick?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:04 PM)

That's a tough question because right now it's up to the Jazz management. But I'm confident that they'll make the right one because they always have in the past.

Brennan Rees from Detroit

I know that you have been traded several times. Whats the first thing that goes through your mind when you get traded, and how does it feel to have finally found a home in Utah?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:05 PM)

The first thing that goes through your mind is "Oh ****! I've been traded." It's a shock. I thought I'd be in Orlando for a while. But the NBA is a business like any other. But it's nice to be in Utah, where I feel like it's a good fit for both parties.

Jordan (Naperville)

How did Jerry Sloan at head coach help you develop into the player you are now?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:06 PM)

He let me be more free on the court than I have been in the NBA so far. He told me to play my game within the offense. And the way we run our offense, there's more opportunities and the chance to play more as a team.

Josh (Ogden, UT)

What is your proudest moment in a Jazz uniform?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:06 PM)

Probably my career high. That and making it to the playoffs in the first year there.

mike

what do you think made you explode across the board in stats from philly to utah? was it more confidence or was it just because you got the ball more and there was no allen iverson?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:07 PM)

I think it was a little bit of everything. One is it was a different team with a different style of basketball. And two, I was more free to play my type of game than in PHiladelphia.

fidelio

Hey, Matt- great season in UTAH- congratulationsWho was the toughest defender (gave you the most problems)that played against you last season?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:08 PM)

It's hard to name just one. There's a ton of good defenders out there. I would hate to release the secrets to the rest of the league.

Brennan Rees from Detroit

Mr. Harpring, i also have aspirations of someday playing at the NBA level. I know that it will not be easy, and i expect it will be the hardest thing I ever try for. I work on my game twice a day and do weight training every night. Since you went through the same thing I would like to know if there is any advice you could give me. Thank you for your time Mr. Harpring.

MAtt HArpring

  (12:09 PM)

The best advice I got is if you think you're working hard, you're not working hard enough. That separates the elite athletes from the normal athletes. They put in the extra time to get better.

MaryAnn (Philly)

Will your role with the team decrease with the development of Andrie Kirelinko?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:10 PM)

I don't think so. We play on the court at the same time. Andrei's more of a slasher and defender; an energy player. I think we actually play really well together.

Hasley James (Chicago)

Matt - What has been your greatest challege in the NBA?

MAtt HArpring

  (12:11 PM)

Proving to people that I can not only play in this league, but start. And become close to an All-Star in the NBA.

MAtt HArpring

  (12:14 PM)

I want to thank all the Jazz fans and those kids that are wanting to go to a good fundamental camp. I"m hosting Aug. 11-14, boys and girls should call two numbers: 801-768-4000 or 1-800-825-4625. And for those Georgia Tech fans in Atlanta. I'm hosting two weeks of basketball camps at Life University in Marietty July 28-Aug1. and Aug 1-Aug. 8. Boys and Girls. 770-394-1152. All info for both camps can be found on my web page: www.mattharpring.com. In Salt Lake, my camp is being held at an open court facility and plenty of openings are still available.