<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> Devon Hardin: “I’ve Always Been a Nets Fan” May 23, 2008, 3:58 am Devon Hardin grew up in California, played at Berkeley, but the 7-footer says he liked the Nets so much growing up he used to wear their colors. He even worked out with the team last summer when he first considered going out for the draft It was all Jason Kidd’s influence, but with Kidd gone, he’s still a fan. He’s projected to go end of first round, beginning of the second. Draft Diary III: Cal Center Devon Hardin - Bob McClellan - Rivals.com</div>
As a Cal fan I want Hardin to be drafted in the first round. He's a good guy with a huge amount of defensive potential, and was severely limited by our old coach Ben Braun. That being said, however, I don't think he has a place here. He is extremely atheltic and mobile for a 7 footer, with a big and strong body. Plays excellent defense, but doens't seem to get that many blocks because I think he has poor timing. His best work comes off positional defense. He was almost always out-rebounded by the smaller Leon Powe and Ryan Anderson, however, which is a little disturbing considering how much bigger and atheltic he is compared to them. Very limited offensive potential. No jumper, no post moves that I can remember. This is somewhat a product of Braun's system of not feeding the post/Hardin, but we'll never know, since he won't be playing for Montgomery (our new coach). I think his highest potential would be Ben Wallace with a better free throw. But with Sean here, who already has a far more advanced offensive game (do you understand how limited offensively Hardin is now?) than Devon and a much better shot blocker, and Boone, who will probably always be a better/smarter rebounder, I don't see a place for him here.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ May 23 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe a cheaper replacement for Diop though?</div> I see a cheaper replacement for Sean Williams, in the possibility that he's traded. Hardin looks like a similar player with less upside (and blocking ability), but more basketball experience. kdub if you're familiar with him, do you see any groundwork for a low post game? Although by this time last year no one thought Sean had any offensive prowness.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sean Watkins @ May 23 2008, 04:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He can say whatever he wants but I'm not taking him at #21. He really regressed this year.</div> He might last til 40.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NetIncome @ May 23 2008, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sean Watkins @ May 23 2008, 04:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He can say whatever he wants but I'm not taking him at #21. He really regressed this year.</div> He might last til 40. </div> Thats very true, If he does I'd take him in a second. I actually think the Pistons might nab him with #29 since supposedly he had a gaurantee last year from them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ May 23 2008, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Pistons wouldn't grab him. They cannot even find time to play Amir 'the future stud' Johnson.</div> They are locked at a few positions with Affalo and Stuckey as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 23 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ May 23 2008, 04:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Maybe a cheaper replacement for Diop though?</div> I see a cheaper replacement for Sean Williams, in the possibility that he's traded. Hardin looks like a similar player with less upside (and blocking ability), but more basketball experience. kdub if you're familiar with him, do you see any groundwork for a low post game? Although by this time last year no one thought Sean had any offensive prowness. </div> The only thing Diop has on Hardin is playoff experience. Hardin has a big, strong body like Diop, but is far more athletic... think Sean-like athleticism. I've seen him do near-free throw line dunks... 360s and the like are no problem for him. The only reason why I would say Hardin has the potential to develop a post game is because Cal's coach at the time never set up plays to toss balls in the post. It's definitely not a lack of trying... I've seen Hardin establish absolutely excellent position in the post time and time again, just to be ignored by guards who I imagine are instructed to just swing the ball around the perimeter and drive when necessary. So I guess yeah, it's possible he could develop a post game, just like it's possible Sean could develop one (Sean also establishes great position as well). I have seen Sean make 16 foot jumpers with some regularity, however, and Hardin's jump shot has been non-existant for his college career. He's also older, so that's a knock against his potential as well. He's a good guy... never got in trouble, and definitely seems to have a lot of fun playing basketball and working the crowd (unlike Sean in this department), so he could be a nice backup/insurance energy big man that provides a low-risk/high-reward player. I've seen him try to be a leader on the court, and he's quite vocal with his teammates so confidence is not really an issue with him (ie. he's not Boone). I guess I'm just not sure why the Nets would draft another offensive-deficient big man along with Sean and Boone when there seem to be plenty of talented G/F's in their area of the draft. He'd be a good pick at 40 though.
