07-12-2022, 03:33 PM
(07-12-2022, 03:26 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: The thing with this is (and I could be wrong) that I don't think "having zero NBA skills" is Hardy's problem. I think it absolutely WAS DSJ's problem.
No idea why Hardy lasted until 37, but I'm telling you, when I watch him, he has the kind of off-the-dribble repertoire you expect from like a Jason Terry level guy. More, even. I don't think the turnovers are due to his handle, I think he's dribbling into three defenders needlessly.
It's a minor distinction, I know. Maybe it's just semantics. But to me, I think he's already GOT the skills and he's onto stage 2: how to apply them. DSJ had very little when he was here. If his first attempt at a straight line drive (always with the right) didn't work, he was just a deer in headlights. Could be wrong, but I think Hardy is already much farther along than that.
While I think people oversold Hardy as being a subpar athlete, on the spectrum of athlete versus skilled player, he's skewed far more towards the skilled side. Hardy's stroke is something that can keep him in the league for a long time. He might not jump out of the gym but he's smooth and comfortable with the ball.