Future Spur: Dylan Harper

[Seventyniner]

Apparently he's a 40% c&s 3pt shooter, watch some videos, most of his attempts are off the dribble, a lot of stepbacks in there.
Obviously a long way to go from Harden, but he's closer to Harden than Castle, tbh.

I'd say Cade is a fair comparison. With better defense.

In that case I don't see how the Spurs can even think about trading Harper, unless it's in some package for Flagg perhaps.

[ginobilized]

I'm psyched to get Harper!

I think Castle/Harper would be an eventual nightmare backcourt. Getting some time together against opponents 2nd teams would give them a chance to find their mojo. 2 6'6" guards that can pass, defend and get into the paint while a 7'4" alien lurks on the perimeter or rolls to the rim is ing scary. Harper will make the Spurs do a serious re-evaluation of Vassell's role. OR, he becomes the piece that gets us Flagg. Complete win-win scenario.

My hope is that we can upgrade at the 3 & 4. That #14 pick might help a lot in that endeavor as a trade, especially.

[RC_Drunkford]

Harper's weakness is shooting off the dribble. He's a good catch and shoot player though, which helps playing alongside Fox and Castle.

[exstatic]

How is he like Harden without the good shooting?

James Harden is a career 36% 3G shooter. He ain’t Steph Curry, and wouldn’t be hard to match for Harper.

[LeBowen]

https://floorandceiling.substack.com...arper-scouting

62.5% (60/96) at-rim in the half-court. 18.9% of his total makes at the rim have been assisted, per Bart Torvik. Has 8 dunks in 23 games, with 5 coming in the half-court.

Questions about scoring and self-creation are about his jumper. Makes 32.1% (36/112) of his total threes. 27.1 3P% (19/70) on off-dribble threes, 26.3 2P% (10/38) on off-dribble twos.

37.0 3P% (17/46) on catch-and-shoots ... but 6/23 (26.1 3P%) on 'guarded' shots vs. 11/23 (47.8 3P%) on 'unguarded' shots gives me a bit of pause.

Effective pick-and-roll passer who is averaging 4 AST to 2.3 TOV per game (1.8 A/TO) on high usage.

[baseline bum]

After seeing Dallas’ FO celebrate winning the first pick there’s no way they’re not keeping Flagg.

Yeah and watching Flagg's post lottery interview there is no way he's going back to Duke.

[Eaglenole2002]

Where would Harper rank as a prospect in the past four drafts?

[scottspurs]

His form is perfect! The spacing at Rutgers was trash. With NBA spacing Harper will be not just a good shooter but potentially a great one. The feet 45 degrees, nice arch, high/quick release. Feet come together at ascent. He will be a really good shooter.

[scottspurs]

Where would Harper rank as a prospect in the past four drafts?

if going back to 2021, knowing what we know now

1. Wemby
2. Banchero
3. Holmgren
4. Flagg
5. Evan Mobley
6. Cade Cunningham
7. Derik Queen ( lol bring it)
8. Alperen Sengun
9. Dylan Harper
10. Stephon Castle

[LeBowen]

[Mr. Body]

Clearly he needs to only shoot from the top of the key

[mo7888]

Where would Harper rank as a prospect in the past four drafts?

#7

Wemby
Flagg
Banchero
Chet
Mobley
Cade
Harper

[John B]

Bailey is my pick too. But I’m ok with Harper. He’s going to look very good playing for the Bucks. Giannis and Wemby frontcourt. Castle and Fox backcourt. Champ as our 3 guy while drafting a rookie shooter with the 14th pick. Thanks for the memories Devin and KJ. I’m pretty sure we are set with a rotation of: Fox, Castle, Sorber, Champ, Sochan, Barnes, Giannis, and Wemby. Just use our MLE on somebody and really that’s a championship level team

I love that lineup man. Getting the top 2 is like Ralph on Xmas morning. Just don’t shoot your eyes out trying to be too cute about it. Knowing the Spurs they will do the steady long-haul instead of selling the farm for quick rich. Draft Dylan and see how the Fox/Castle/Dylan/Wemby works out. Pop has always wanted that 3-guard offense and would be crazy motion offense especially tailored for Wemby, and not for someone else like Giannis. Wemby will be the star of this team. The more I think of it, the more I don’t see someone like Giannis coming in, nor the Spurs squandering all future picks but keeping them as steady pool to fortify a seemingly long Castle/Wemby/Dylan trio.

[John B]

Clearly he needs to only shoot from the top of the key

it still hasn’t dawned on me that we’re watching Dylan instead of obsessing on Kon’s height

[Mr. Body]

it still hasn’t dawned on me that we’re watching Dylan instead of obsessing on Kon’s height

Yeah, it's completely astounding that we got the #2 pick. Unbelievable.

[BatManu20]

Poor man's Cade Cunningham is prob his best comparison. He's 2 inches shorter than Cade and not nearly the shooter off the dribble Cade was coming out of Okie State, but there's definitely some similarities in their games. And you could argue he's better at getting to the cup than Cade. I do wish Harper was a bit taller, but beggars can't be choosers. His game should translate well to the NBA.

[spurraider21]

Poor man's Cade Cunningham is prob his best comparison. He's 2 inches shorter than Cade and not nearly the shooter off the dribble Cade was coming out of Okie State, but there's definitely some similarities in their games. And you could argue he's better at getting to the cup than Cade. I do wish Harper was a bit taller, but beggars can't be choosers. His game should translate well to the NBA.

james harden measured at 6'4 flat at the combine (nearly 6'11 wingspan). Harper's size will not be an issue at all

[LeBowen]

Yeah, it's completely astounding that we got the #2 pick. Unbelievable.

Then you realize we won't see them play an actual game for another 5 months.

[Mr. Body]

james harden measured at 6'4 flat at the combine (nearly 6'11 wingspan). Harper's size will not be an issue at all

His comp really is Harden to me. Obviously every player is different, but their stats and production were almost exactly the same at draft time, both are strong lefty guards who like to attack. Harden developed as a good three point shooter - if not a knockdown one - and right now is a better passer. But if Harper can get those lobs going on his drives against covers, there's a ton of similarity there.

[LeBowen]

While Flagg obviously has a higher potential and ceiling than Harper, guards still get overlooked in most drafts.
Not as much as they used to, but it happens a lot.

A quick look through draft history shows that 6'4-6'6 ballhandlers picked in top5 almost always deliver. Everyone becomes at least a good starter.
From 2010 and Evan Turner being a bust up until now you can argue that RJ Barrett is the most disappointing player becaus he doesn't excel at anything and is just an empty 20ppg scorer.
Exum was the other bust, but injuries broke him right away.

Odds of Harper not being a high end starter with his background, physical attributes and skillset are really low.
Obviously it's not a guarantee he can become an all-star level guard, but he's as safe of a pick as it gets.

[spurraider21]

His comp really is Harden to me. Obviously every player is different, but their stats and production were almost exactly the same at draft time, both are strong lefty guards who like to attack. Harden developed as a good three point shooter - if not a knockdown one - and right now is a better passer. But if Harper can get those lobs going on his drives against covers, there's a ton of similarity there.

harden never became that accurate of a 3pt shooter (career percentage of 36), but what made him such a threat is that he got to a point where his pull-up 3 was as accurate as his catch and shoot looks which made him ridiculously tough to guard, combined with his crazy rim pressure

[John B]

Then you realize we won't see them play an actual game for another 5 months.

At least we know they’re cooking at something. Plenty of time to get Wemby strong and back in the mix with everyone. Unlike 3 years ago hoping Sochan can actually dribble the full court before fumbling a pass.

[BatManu20]

[BatManu20]

[PopTheGOAT]

At least we know they’re cooking at something. Plenty of time to get Wemby strong and back in the mix with everyone. Unlike 3 years ago hoping Sochan can actually dribble the full court before fumbling a pass.

Going from playing Sochan at point to Fox, Castle, Harper is insane