The San Antonio Spurs took a 2-1 lead over the Portland Trail Blazers behind Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle‘s dominant performances without star Victor Wembanyama. Harper recorded his career high in points with 27, continuing his streak of excellent three-point shooting by going 4-of-5 from deep. His scoring burst helped secure the Spurs’ first road playoff win of the season.
Dylan Harper Already Looks Like An All-Star
Astounding Play in his First Year
Harper, son of Bulls legend Ron Harper, does not play like a rookie. “He’s also already one of the greatest finishers at the guard spots,” NBA Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki said. Harper’s ball control and defense make him an elite rookie. His efficient and consistent style of play makes him a rarity for a 20-year-old player. He doesn’t rely on athleticism or shooting to score, but breaks down NBA defenses at an elite level. His ability to create his own offense gives him an extremely high ceiling.
He showed it against the Trail Blazers Friday night. When the Spurs needed him, Harper was their most consistent player. Considering that he is on a team that won 62 games, that is impressive. His athleticism was on display as well, with a poster dunk on Robert Williams III and a flashy spin move toward a layup. You can expect some inconsistency from him given his youth, but he can already score from anywhere. His status as a role player will disappear soon.
The Next James Harden?
After being drafted, Harper was compared to James Harden, which made sense considering his larger size and excellent handles. Pair that with solid shooting and aggression towards the rim, and it seemed like a possible peak for him.
Although Harper’s perimeter game may not reach Harden’s level, his perceived ceiling should be raised. His defensive effort is clearly not comparable to Harden, and the Spurs’ expectations will keep it that way. His polished finishing and downhill style could likely surpass Harden’s. Harper is not the next James Harden, but he can do several things the eleven-time All-Star can’t.
Dylan Harper has the potential to be the ultimate star role-player. His handles are not on the level of “The Beard” and there’s no expectation they should be. And since Harper is a combo guard, it’s unlikely that he will ever average double-digit assists like Harden does. He is not a high-use, identity-giving player; he needs to be fed by a team around him. But what he can be is great at everything. A great shooter, playmaker, defender, and more, Harper can be the Spurs’ jack-of-all-trades.
The Last Word On Dylan Harper
Harper may not become a team’s number one option, but he raises San Antonio’s ceiling. Although Wembanyama has recovered from his concussion, he could get hurt again. The Spurs need a player who is willing to step up and hit hard shots. Dylan Harper is that guy. When his number is called, the Spurs must be ready to feed him.
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