We've talked on this and other basketball boards about the extent to which the team that drafts you influences your development and success.
The question has come up a lot how you can have the two and three NBA draft picks on your college team and manage a losing record. It seems like maybe Harper has his Rutgers moments from time to time, and it's yet another reason I thank the basketball gods that our rookie has Manu Ginobili's ear this early into his career.
Harper has an amazing upside, and I think all the more that he is with a team where most of the squad is in town to root the guys on. He could really have been a train wreck with a franchise so desperate that it had to hand him the whole team right away.
I always watch body language of the young "stars" when their teammates are performing. How much are they locked in off ball? Rebounding? Screening ? Pulling defenders ? When your teammate succeeds?
He seems to have pretty good body language towards his teammates when playing after a tough day at the office. Was good to see. Spurs leadership will definitely help the kid out going forward.
You could see he was talking to himself a lot after the missed shots.
Agree... team cultyre plays a huge role in a rookie's development. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you're thrown into a dysfunctional franchise and a show it can up your career before it even starts. That’s what makes Harper’s situation encouraging, he's in a good spot franchise wise. He’s clearly raw but very talented; not to mention someone like Ginobili coaching him would massively help with his development. To be patient I guess and hope for him to turn into something special.
He's half-Filipino, and he's really close to his Filipino side. We pride loyalty and family. Trust me, he'll fit just right into San Antonio.
From what I read, it seems he's got his mom and grand parents that are Filipino and that he's mostly Americanized. I could be wrong, but it seems like he doesn't know much about his Filipino roots as he's never been there and his mom said she hasn't been there since she left as a kid.
Cultural norms often cross oceans. Even though moms hasn’t been back, her parents are here, reminding the family of the right way. I’d also bet they’re plugged into the Filipino community.
From what I read, he was raised by his grandparents (lolos and lolas) in Filipino. As a Filipino myself, let me tell you, that sticks with you hahah. I wouldn't see him turn down a chance to play for Team U.S.A. though, given his dad is Ron Harper hahah.
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