Day 6 Workouts: Hardin, Lekic, Simmons, and Brown

by Matt McQueeny, NJNets.com

Coming from the University of California-Berkeley, Junior Devon Hardin knows all about the legend of Nets point guard and former Golden Bear Jason Kidd.

“He’s a legend from Cal,” said the 6’11’, 235 pound forward/center. “Highest draft pick from Cal, probably the most successful player. Definitely recognized.”

Hardin, who is looking to follow in the Cal-to-first-round-draft-pick footsteps of Kidd, was on hand for workouts at the Knicks facilities in Tarrytown today along with Marko Lekic of Serbia, Keith Simmons of Holy Cross, and Clif Brown of Niagara.

Projected as a guy whose natural athletic gifts have him fighting for a first round pick, Hardin is a player – and he admits it himself – who will need work on the offensive end, particularly with his footwork, shooting, and post moves, to thrive at the NBA level.

“I’d say he is a player that has an upside to him,” said Nets General Manager Ed Stefanski today.

“Is he ready to go into an NBA game right now? I think he needs work. But he’s 6’10”, 6’11” plus who can jump and block a shot. So, he has definite NBA qualities.”

Hardin was on his way to a potential breakout season in 2006-07, averaging 10.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks through the first 11 games. But a stress-fracture in his left foot and the ensuing surgery put him down for the rest of the season.

Stefanski said that he knows all the teams working out Hardin are “very curious” about the foot; the GM said that the foot looked 100% in today’s workout, but admitted “I’m not a doctor.”

Coming from Cal, you know Hardin is a smart guy –he carried a 4.0 GPA in high school – and he is intelligently testing the draft waters in these workouts. He did not sign with an agent and is keeping a senior season in college open as an option. He is using the pre-draft workouts as an evaluation period and has until June 18 to make his decision.

A team looking to draft him would be bringing in a player, according to Hardin, “that’s willing to improve over the years.”

As for what he could bring a team right away?

“As this very moment I would just bring passion. Bring a guy who is going to leave everything on the court, 150%. I’m going to try to block a couple of shots, grab a couple boards, and throw down some impressive dunks. That’s what I do best.”

Marko Lekic from Serbia is another player with connections to current Net players. He played one season with Nets starting Center Nenad Krstic for KK Partizan’s junior team and played in the past with Nets center Mile Ilic on the young National Team.

Lekic, projected out as more a second round selection, is well-schooled and plays a more back-to-the-basket game.

“Footwork is excellent, doesn’t rush his moves,” said Stefanski of the 6’10”, 240 pound forward/center.

“He’s back to the basket. He’s not really a facing shooting kind of guy.”

Said Lekic, “That’s my stronger game. Better player with my back to the basket. When I was little I mostly worked on that.”

On what he would bring to a team that looks to draft him, “I’m going to bring tough defense in the paint, rebounds…that’s what I do.”

For each player, New Jersey would be a comfortable landing place made strong by comfortable connections.

“I would have friends,” said Lekic of the possibility of reuniting with Krstic and Ilic.

As for Cal-Berkeley’s Hardin, on the potential for a union with a Golden Bear great, “I wouldn’t mind playing with Jason Kidd; that would be pretty fine.”

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