New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris Gets Schooled by Amateur

This is the kind of story that is really all about entertainment. Imagine you are hanging out in a public park somewhere, just having a relaxing good time. Over to your left a bunch of kids are playing hide and seek. Off to your right you can see some guy playing frisbee with his dog. You notice a bunch of people hanging out at a baseball diamond or soccer pitch or basketball court and out of nowhere a superstar athlete shows up.

You would have to get up a little closer to see if your were seeing things or not. Upon closer examination you realize that it really is a superstar player. Maybe he has decided to come out to practice or perhaps just enjoy a nice day outside. Whatever the reason, there he is.

This is exactly what happened in Stockwell, South London recently when New Jersey Nets superstar Devin Harris showed at a basketball court to give a few lessons. He was in town for a pre-season exhibition game. He was approached by amateur, Stuart Tanner and challenged to a friendly one on one match. Harris accepted.

It has already been already all over YouTube but Tanner apparently got the better of Harris. Harris took the first shot hitting the rim and Tanner picked up the rebound. He head faked Tanner for his first basket and followed it up with another move putting the ball between the guard's legs to score another basket. It isn't clear how much longer they played after that but it has managed to make news around the world.

It is interesting that a pro would agree to a pick up game with a stranger like that. Harris is a superstar player that the Nets have millions of dollars invested in. I am sure that if he were to review his contract, he probably is not supposed to be playing in street games with strangers. I wouldn't be surprised if when he got back to his team, that if once they found out about what happened, that he got lectured.

That is pretty irresponsible playing like he did considering accidents do happen and he could have gotten injured. That of course would have been the real news. Sure, Tanner got the better of him. However, watching the clip it is clear that Tanner has some chops but who knows how hard Harris was trying. He certainly must have some sense of responsibility and wasn't going to go all out against the guy.

More interestingly was the fact that it was being video taped and as a result, made the news. I'm sure Harris is going to take a little ribbing for it but the challenge appeared to be taken in good fun. There is a lot more to becoming a superstar calibre player than just a couple moves in a street game. Apparently Tanner has a pretty good reputation in that part of London as a player but it will remain to be seen whether he gets a call to take a shots at the big leagues.

It is great to think that a nobody could have a shot at something incredible like a professional sporting contract because a pro was willing to give him a little time in the lime light. Who knows, this could lead to challenges nation wide.