Devin Harris gets Hustled by a Street Baller

Devin Harris was in town for a pre-season friendly at the London O2 arena. The Nets beat Miami Heat 94 – 92, but that is not the biggest story to have emerged during the teams transatlantic October '08 sojourn.

NBA Coaching Clinic

Harris was in attendance at a South London school court for a coaching clinic. He was demonstrating his formidable skills at this meet and greet, when he was approached by Stuart Tanner. Tanner, who works as a personal trainer, is a keen basketball fan. He brought his brother, Greg, with him to capture the event on film, but whilst there he couldn't resist throwing down the gauntlet to NBA star Harris. The resulting footage has become an overnight hit on You Tube.

Devin Harris Caught Off Guard

Multi-millionaire pro basketball player Harris was caught off guard by the unassuming Tanner. Dressed casually in jeans, Tanner hardly looked as though he would offer stiff competition. But perhaps it was this laissez- faire attitude that tripped up the New Jersey Jets defender. Tanner played him like he was shooting hoops in his back yard, scoring not once but twice in truly amazing fashion. The first shot was a stunner, which sailed through the hoop without touching the sides. The second was the ultimate in humiliation, Harris drawn into a battle for ground, then nutmegged by a fast paced Tanner who promptly shot to score.

Stuart Tanner, who hails from Surrey, England, spoke about bamboozling Harris on an ITV news report:

“I beat him and it was amazing... I got the first bucket on him, made him defend me, tricked him on the second one.....ended up running out of the court because I was so hyped.”

Tanner Vs Harris

Watch the incredible footage of Tanner taking on Devin Harris here.

Afterwards, Harris was magnanimous in defeat. He smiled through the shock, saying:

“Man, did you see how fast he was? He tricked me, he hustled me on my own court.....”

Stuart Tanner also had nothing but praise and admiration for Devin Harris, and his good-natured response to the whole furor. Speaking again on ITV news, who broadcast the story nationwide in Britain, Tanner said:

“He was a great guy, a great sport about it....he said I was really quick, I tricked him...but he was humble about it so I just thought...great guy, makes me like him even more.”

Devin Harris - A Great Ambassador for Basketball

Stuart Tanner has since been interviewed on BBC Radio Five, and it transpires that he is a pretty decent player who does a spot of basketball coaching. Still, he hasn't played seriously for 5 years, after failing to qualify for the British team Milton Keynes Lions. Nothing should take away the fact that what he achieved was pretty special. He was up against an NBA professional defender after all.

Even more amazing was the generous response from Devin. What with basketball still being a minority interest in Britain, Harris' good humour is bound to have won over a few hearts here in Blighty. His nobility in defeat proving what an excellent ambassador for the game he really is.

Further reading: Check out this preview of the NBA 2008-2009 season

Basketball

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