Am2626 wrote:JohnnyTapwater wrote:Am2626 wrote:
There are a lot of guys that get hyped up and then get exposed when they play stronger competition. Emoni Bates is another example. Any hope that people see in Hardy is based purely on his high school hype. I think he didn’t even play his senior year so basically it is based on high school competition that happened almost 3 years ago. If he didn’t have that hype based on his G League play he wouldn’t even be discussed at all. For the Bulls to take him at 18, 17 other teams would have to pass on him. I’m not even sure he is projected in the first round at this point. If the Bulls want him that bad then they can buy a second round pick and not waste a mid first on a guy that will be there later in the draft.
I don't think you and I watch for the same things in evaluating players. I just want you to hold this thought. It'll be fun to revisit in in the future.
My point is if Hardy is the guy the Bulls want they don’t have to burn the #18 pick to get him. They can trade down and get additional assets. I’ll admit the only time I’ve really seen Hardy play was in the Rising Stars game and he didn’t look very good there. His draft stock has really dropped so there has to be a reason for that but yes at one time he was an elite high school prospect. Will be interesting to see how things look in a few years.
I wouldn’t take for granted that he’s a trade-down candidate just because he’s slated to go late first in mocks published two months before the draft. I understand the reservations about his game, though. For a guy like him to hit, the shooting and decision making have to be on point.