Orlando Magic SG Gary Harris 'Validated' After Denver Nuggets Championship
ORLANDO - The Denver Nuggets are entering the season as the defending NBA champions, and the Orlando Magic played a small role on the road towards hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
In 2021, the Magic traded starting power forward Aaron Gordon to the Nuggets for a package headlined by two first-round picks and shooting guard Gary Harris, who enters the final year of his contract with Orlando.
Harris played with the Nuggets from 2014-21 and was happy to see some of his former teammates finish on top.
“All the years of them getting close and years making the playoffs, to see them stick through and make it, that’s what it’s all about,” Harris said.
Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris defended by New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Harris also feels some rejuvenation knowing that the hard work he put in with Denver helped pay off for a championship in the future.
“It helps validate that it comes fast," Harris said. "A lot of teams, you don’t really expect them to win the whole thing last year. It just shows if you believe in yourself as a team, In this core group that we have here and everybody in this building, if you keep working hard and keep your head down, and block out all the noise, anything is possible."
The Magic isn't likely to follow in the Nuggets' footsteps this year as the NBA champions, but in order to get to the promised land someday, you have to start believing immediately, and like Denver, you never know when it's time to step into the spotlight.
