I read this and, they aren't wrong about Hardy's abilities. But…

We all know Luka and Kyrie are offensive players. I feel like the whole point of naji and grimes is their defense (who can still score).

He did so well last night because Luka was out and we needed offense.

With PJ back, and Luka and Kyrie playing, feels like most of the minutes should go to defensive two-way players.

If we really needed more offense off the bench, I'm more inclined to swap Klay and Naji, and Klay be our 6th man. Maybe after tipoff it doesn't matter between the two.

I really like Hardy. I just think we need more solid defenders around Luka and Kyrie in the lineups.

27 comments
  1. Yes agree, Hardy is not the answer. Luka, Kyrie, Klay are set as starters (Klay wouldn’t have joined us if he’s not a guaranteed starter) . This leaves Hardy on the bench.

  2. Epic breakout lmao he had 13 points and is averaging 5ppg. I like Hardy but this is ridiculous.

  3. Every NBA team has a score first undersized two guard who is way way overrated by their fanbase. Not to be a hater but he’s literally just a guy.

  4. I like Hardy a lot but at the end of the day he could aim to be a 25ppg 1st option on a team that wins 20 games a year or can grow where he is into being a 10ppg 5th option on a team that just went to the finals.

    He’s a good slasher who can take occasional opportunities in games like the one we just had against an OKC team with no rim protection and there is an outside chance that he can continue to grow and become more than that. He has the perfect role model in Kyrie and if he has any sense he’ll stay where he is and not chase a bag elsewhere

  5. He had a good game against a team where the tallest defender in the paint was 6’5. Take it easy.

  6. Even if you adjust to per-36, Hardy’s averaging 13ppg on 52%TS. There’s been no breakout my guy

  7. Hardy’s ascension post josh green is really good to see. idk if I would call him 6th man material yet, but if you need someone to contribute offense his 3pt game has been good since he entered the league. My concearn with him is he is wild, both actually shooting and dribbling. Ive seen his pocket picked just as the team begins a offensive set. For me, Naji looks like the 6th man and hardy, while showing encouraging play, should not be asked to do more than what he is capable. Let us see him actually explode for 20 a few times and then re visit the conversation.

  8. I like Hardy I really do but I feel like he’s either like really “on” and efficient or he’s like really not good kinda like Luka you know. I just don’t think he’s consistent enough yet.

  9. Klay is a starter. Period. I want Naji to develop into Baby Draymond, he’s got an impressive skill set and deserves the minutes. But this article is right, Hardy should be our sixth man. Even in limited minutes, he makes an impact.

    I wouldn’t be mad if they shut Luka down for a week or two so he can fully recover and let Hardy take advantage of the extra time and develop further.

  10. I don’t think Hardy has the physical tools to trend that much further upwards. Maybe he learns some tricks and improves more, but I don’t see it. He’s a bench role player who unfortunately is too small to be anything other than a scorer.

    I like him, but I he’s about reached his potential. Maybe he gets more consistent and that makes a difference.

  11. I don’t have a problem with Hardy in general, but is it just me, or does he seem so erratic with his dribbling and attempts to drive, that it’s so easy to steal the ball off him or make him lose his composure if you’re defending?

  12. “Epic Breakout” aside, he is having a pretty good run but again it’s with a shit tonne of caveats so I would still like to see him getting meaningful minutes but ideally let’s hold it down to 15mins on a great night maybe?

  13. Smoking Cuban is just a guy whose job is to give an AI prompts for an article and come up with the most click-baity headlines imaginable. Do not read anything they put out. Ever.

  14. I mean this is great at Luka should ideally be sitting more games to figure out what the fuck is wrong with his legs

  15. I like Hardy, dude can score off the bench and he tries on defense because it helps him see the court. He’s a great guy to have and he’s on a team friendly contract.

  16. Hardy is good player and deserves to be in the rotation, but there’s no way he’s 6th man with Naji, and either Lively or Gafford coming off the bench.

    We’re deep. I would be fine with Hardy getting 10-15 minutes a game depending on the matchup.

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