Just based on what he was able to accomplish last season while playing against pro players, Jaden Hardy has proven that he is no ordinary NBA rookie.
After his first season out of high school, Hardy bypassed a chance to play college basketball and signed with the NBA G League Ignite. And he more than proved that he was ready for the challenge as he averaged 17.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
With that backdrop, Hardy is approaching his first season with the Dallas Mavericks as if he has the inside track on how to be successful in the NBA. Especially since G League teams are often sprinkled with current and former NBA players.
“Playing in the G League, I already know what it’s like playing at this level, playing at the professional level,” Hardy said. “It was guys that I went against in the G League that played with championship teams that won championships, so just having that experience I feel like it was only going to help me in the long run.”
Coach Jason Kidd – who gave his plays an off day on Thursday – also believes Hardy may have a leg up on other rookies.
“I think you can look at it that way where the experience of playing against other NBA players in the G League, maybe he has a little cheat sheet as a rookie participating in those games,” Kidd said. “But I think also the summer and working in the summer and understanding what was coming (has been advantageous).
“We gave him the answers and he’s digested it very well in a sense of trying to just do what he can do and not over-do or try to stretch his role. And again, he’s playing at a high level and he’s doing a great job for as rookie.”
In the Mavs’ first summer league game on July 8, Hardy immediate proved his worth with 28 points, four rebounds and three steals during a 100-99 loss over the Chicago Bulls. And not long after summer league ended, Hardy made his way back to Dallas and started setting the stage for his rookie season where he’ll find himself in the same backcourt on occasions with point guard Luka Doncic.
“I was in here with the coaches pretty much after summer league,” Hardy said. “Really, they just preached to me about getting more efficient working on my shots so I can catch-and-shoot threes, being able to play off the catch so when I’m out there playing with Luka.
“(I’m) just working on my ball handling and being a better defender.”
Hardy was drafted 37th overall by the Sacramento Kings, then immediately his draft rights were traded to the Mavs. He’s been so polished that when Hardy was doing an interview with the media, Mavs center Christian Wood walked by and matter-of-factly said: “He’s a steal. I’m just staying.”
Actually, there were many in some draft circles who thought Hardy should have been a first-round pick. So, was he a steal?
“Again, (he’s) attacking and understanding what it means to be patient,” Kidd said. “He’s can score.
“It was funny, (Tuesday) he came down. It might have been one-on-five – maybe I’m exaggerating – and he shot it and there were some vets that said that’s not a good shot. And he didn’t react in a negative way. He took it and understood that they were coaching him, and that’s the environment that we have here.”
At 20 years old and a rookie, Hardy fully understands that he’s the new kid on the block. And he’s not about to rock any boats.
“It’s still surreal to me,” Hardy said. “Every time I walk in here I be like, ‘Dang, I am in the NBA.’
“It’s been really fun just to get in here and compete with these guys. We’re all are pros, so (we’re) just making each other better. Iron sharpens iron.”
In other words, Hardy is a good listener, and is busy taking good notes at every opportunity that presents itself.
“Just coming into the locker room, they all welcomed me, and I feel like the energy that I have and I feel like with the energy they’ve got, we can just gravitate towards each other,” he said. “Guys are in here competing, pushing each other, trying to get ready for the season, so it’s been fun.
“Pretty much we’ve all been training together before training camp, playing pickup (games) and stuff. So we’ve all pretty much got the relationships and know each other’s game and know how to play off each other.”
Kidd said Hardy is in “a great situation where he can learn” from the veterans who play on the perimeter such as Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Doncic.
“He can also talk to a young Josh Green, who in his first two years of just understanding what happens when you don’t play for maybe a year and then you come out and play,” Kidd said. “Just understand what the ups and downs and how that makes you feel, and I think Josh is the perfect candidate for him to kind of talk to.
“But I think, also, the coaching staff being able to work with him all summer, and will continue to work with him. Again, he’s having a really good camp.”
Twitter: @DwainPrice
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