Perhaps the least talked about addition that the Los Angeles Lakers made this summer is that of guard Jaden Hardy, who came over in the trade that sent center Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards. But Hardy is someone who could potentially carve out a role as an instant offense guard off the bench as he can absolutely fill up the bucket.
Joining the Lakers is also something that Hardy has long dreamed of. Even though he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, Hardy always admired Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and has embraced and been inspired by the legendary Mamba Mentality.
“I discovered Kobe Bryant, really when I was introduced to basketball,” Hardy said in a ‘Get to Know’ segment on the Lakers’ YouTube. “Growing up a basketball fan in Detroit, I used to go to a lot of the Pistons games. My Dad used to take me to em and watching Kobe Bryant up close is something that I admired at a very young age. His work ethic, his mentality, how he carries himself is something that I’m inspired by. To finally be a Laker is a dream come true.
“The Mamba Mentality shows up for me putting in the work each and every day. Even when I don’t want to, still getting up, going to put the work in. Sacrificing. Long nights and early mornings.”
That mindset and work ethic is something that has gotten Hardy to where he is at now and it will serve him well on the Lakers. There will certainly be competition in for minutes in the backcourt, but his scoring and shooting ability is something that will always have a place in this league and head coach JJ Redick could find a way to utilize him.
Hardy had an expanded role once he was traded to the Wizards in the middle of last season. In 23 games, all coming off the bench, he averaged 12.6 points while shooting 42% from 3-point range on six attempts. That level of accuracy on that high volume is not something many can replicate and embracing the mindset and work ethic of Bryant is something that will only endear him to Lakers fans that much more, and lead to success on the court.
Jaden Hardy chose number 7 in part because of Luka Doncic
Something else that could serve Hardy well with the Lakers is his previous relationship with Luka Doncic as the two were teammates on the Dallas Mavericks. In fact, Hardy chose the number 7 with the Lakers in part because of the Lakers superstar.
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