Saturday at NBA Summer League featured a battle between this year’s top-two draft picks, Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper.
It was a showcase of what’s to come that lived up to the hype.
Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center featured as exciting a Summer League battle as the Sin City showcase has to offer. Top-two picks Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper squared off in front of an arena nearly at full capacity. As popular as this event has become, that’s a rarity.
Again, this author cautions against overreacting to a performance here at Summer League. However, it was Harper, the San Antonio Spurs’ second overall selection, who outshone Flagg.
A groin injury delayed Harper’s Summer League debut. It was well worth the wait. The former Rutgers star finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two steals, and one block. His two-way performance helped lead the Spurs to a 76-69 win.
“Dylan did great”, said San Antonio’s Summer League head coach Mike Noyes after the victory. “We knew he was ready to go. He’s been working hard the last few weeks, and for him, it just starts defensively. Offensively, he’s going to find his rhythm, find his flow. But defensively, I thought he had times when he really guarded tonight. He created some big turnovers for us.”
Harper was in control while initiating the offense. Worked patiently and methodically. His shot looked smooth despite going 0/4 from beyond the arc, and he showed good touch around the basket. He also proved difficult to stay in front of when attacking off the catch while working off the ball.
It’s a style of play that resembles league and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“That’s definitely someone I watch”, said Harper, smiling ear-to-ear after the win. “Just his pace, how he gets to the rim, and stuff like that, and just how poised he is.”
At the other end of the floor, the six-foot-six guard from New Jersey showed off the tools that will allow him to effectively defend against numerous body types and skill sets on the perimeter.
Harper, eager to take the floor again and meet the moment against Flagg, also played with a high-revving motor.
He forced a Maxwell Lewis turnover while pressing him in the backcourt in the final frame. He also drew loud cheers from the near-capacity crowd when he swatted Ryan Nembhard’s transition layup attempt. Harper’s head made contact with the rim as he elevated for the rejection.
“I was just happy to play basketball”, expressed Harper after the game.
