Dylan Harper’s mid-range touch could give the Spurs the late-game counter his drives need

The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA, winning their last nine games. They've been getting some strong production from several players, including Victor Wembanyama, who's looking every bit like an MVP. Dylan Harper has also been elite with his knack for getting downhill, and he's also showing some growth as a mid-range scorer, which is a cheat code for the Spurs' offense.

After a dynamic rookie season, Harper earned his spot in the team's starting lineup, and he's been proving Mitch Johnson right for making that decision. He's averaging 18 points per game on 51% shooting, along with 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists.

The young point guard is already one of the NBA's best interior finishers, using his crafty handle and explosive athleticism to finish at the rim. But the Spurs needed him to improve as a shooter to take their offense to the next level, and he's been doing just that lately.

The Spurs' win in Phoenix gave us a peek into Harper's mid-range touch

The other night, the Spurs pulled off one of their most impressive wins of the season, beating the Phoenix Suns 122-96 on the road. Harper was amazing in that victory, putting on a dominant third-quarter scoring display after a bit of a shaky start in the first half.

Of course, we got to see him put his shoulder down and barrel his way to the goal, but he also reached deep into his mid-range bag. On one possession, he drove downhill and slammed on the brakes with a tight pull-back dribble, creating just enough space for a jump shot inside the arc.

On another play, he drove the ball from the right-side elbow, then went to a nice half-spin move to drain a shot just inside the free-throw line. Later, he hit a tough Jordan-esque fadeaway over the lengthy outstretched arms of Ryan Dunn.

That sort of mid-range scoring is the key to unlocking his offensive potential. We know he can get to the basket at will, but this gives him a reliable counter when defenders can stay in front and cut off his downhill drives.

Harper's mid-range game will help him be a dynamic clutch performer

As Harper's stardom grows, he'll take on even more responsibilities for the Spurs. This team won't blow out opponents every single night; there will definitely be some close, down-to-the-wire games in the near future, so the young guard must be ready for his number to get called to create offense in those situations.

His ability to put pressure on the rim and score in the mid-range area will be important if he wants to become a consistent, reliable closer for this group. Fortunately, that performance against the Suns was a promising sign that he's on the right path.

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