SUMMER LEAGUE: Gm 5 84-95 loss, JH 15 pts, 3 ast, 3 rbd, 7 TO

[Smitty]

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.

I shared an article on discord the other day that had a Hardy comp of Buddy Hield. It was the first I'd seen the comparison (probably because I didn't follow the draft this year). My thoughts then and now, after watching him for the first time in Summer League, is that it's a really good comp. Obviously it would be a homerun if Hardy ever reaches that level but I see him at worst being someone that can play in the NBA as a shooter/scorer. If he has a Bo Cruz like workout plan, he'll be a star in no time!