Jaden Hardy learned from Kyrie Irving, and it's paying dividends
Rookie Jaden Hardy is averaging 20 points per game in his last six appearances for the Dallas Mavericks. To thank, he has one known superstar point guard.
DALLAS — Jaden Hardy's game always possessed the propensity to pop, but in the last six games, he is in the best groove of a young career.
Averaging 20 points per game in 25 minutes per contest, Hardy has found the consistency that has eluded him for most of the season. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, reluctant to play young players, has trusted him to play long stretches in a critical series of games where Dallas needs production. The team is at risk of missing the play-in tournament. Hardy responded to the call, playing with a confidence that borders on arrogance, going toe-to-toe with players eight or 10 seasons his senior. And for the new-broiled confidence, Hardy credits his work ethic and watching Kyrie Irving approach his craft.
“Since he has been here, he has helped me a lot," Hardy said of Irving. "He is always in my ear, giving me feedback on what he sees and thinks when I am on the floor… When I was younger, I looked up to him and watched a lot of him. I tried to take things from his game and add it to mine. Just having him here with me and him being able to tell me things and help me get better, I am super grateful for that.”
Against the Warriors, it was clear that Hardy internalized the lessons from his newfound superstar mentor. He scored 27 points on Irving-like efficiency (10-for-18 from the field and 6-for-9 from three). Hardy looked decisive in his on-floor movement, playing off Dallas' shooters and Luka Doncic with an effortlessness that validates much of his pre-draft scouting profile.
It can be argued that if not for Hardy, Dallas would not have remained close to the Warriors in a game that held intense playoff/play-in ramifications. Hardy was that special on Wednesday night. And if his production in the last six games indicates anything, it is one fact: Hardy can be that special nearly every night when given the opportunity.
Coming into the season, Hardy knew he was a gifted three-level scorer. He spent most of his early rookie season choosing to hone a more intangible skill — playmaking and dynamic decision-making.
Seventy-three games in, and Hardy believes that focus on the intangible areas of his game has also contributed to his recent on-court explosion.
"Me being able to make the right plays and find my teammates when they are open and making the right reads when I am out there, that is the stuff I am big on working on," Hardy said. "So, I am going to try to continue to develop, work on my shot, and work on my game."
It helps that he has one of the most skillful guards, in Irving, on the team to learn from.
Mentorship is often overstated in professional sports. The wisdom of the elders rarely reaches the young ears of the uber-talented next man up. Players want to carve out their own identities. And often, they need to fail before they are ready to listen. But in Hardy's case, Irving's presence has made a difference.
Irving speaks to the rookie in a language that only those that have been through the fire of competition and success of the highest level speak. And the results of those conversations are the dividends enjoyed by the Mavericks, thanks to Irving's peer-to-peer whispers in the rookie's ear.
