PHILADELPHIA — When one has been in the league as long as Philadelphia 76ers big man Montrezl Harrell has, one has to have a love for the game. There are sacrifices that must be made to have success, and the game must become one of the main priorities in one’s life.
After Harrell hopped off the bench and poured in 19 points on 8-for-9 shooting with five rebounds and four blocks in a 129-126 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers, he professed his love for the game of basketball and how important it is to him.
“I love this game,” Harrell said. “I love the game of basketball. If you know me, Trez plays basketball all summer long. When the season is done, no matter how the season went, I take a week off, and after that, I’m right back to my training and right back to playing in all these leagues where I don’t get paid to play. I pay my own flights and I go out there and I play basketball just because it’s the love of the game.”
Harrell, the Sixth Man of the Year award winner in 2020, wants to play this game for as long as he can. Whether it’s during the season in the NBA or in pickup leagues worldwide, he needs his basketball fix.
“I love being able to play the game of basketball no matter where it’s pickup, in the NBA, rec league, my AAU kids, I just love playing the game,” he continued. “I’m blessed to be able to do it. I’m blessed to be able to call it my job. So why not stay around it? Why not stick around and why not? You know continue to keep bettering myself my game? Because I can’t play this game forever.”
One could say Harrell is a true hooper who just wants to be sure he can play the game on a regular basis.
“As much as I want to, as much as I’d love to play until I’m done on this world, but I can’t do that,” he finished. “So I don’t take any time for granted. I haven’t been on a vacation since I’ve been in the league. So every summer, I literally play basketball. So as you can say, I love the game.”
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