Evolution gives Dylan Harper a shot to break through his make-believe ceiling

Spurs fans don't realize how lucky we were to land the second overall pick in the draft. Near-generational talent Cooper Flagg spearheaded the 2025 draft class, and the disappointment of missing on that certainly hurts. However, what we got instead could be just as good, if not better.

Flagg was not in a tier of his own; he wasn't the only future superstar waiting to hear his name called. The Spurs landed a prospect with a ceiling out of this world. Many have tried to put a cap on what type of player Harper can be. Instead, I propose that Harper could be one of the best point guards in the NBA.

Harper will face these massive hurdles

It is easy to let the bias come through and wear the rose-colored glasses when looking at your team's players. Things won't be easy for Harper; he has a lot to overcome.

For one, Harper landed in a spot that isn't exactly ideal for his growth. While the San Antonio coaching staff has proved to be one of the best in the NBA at developing superstar talent, Harper will have to fight his way into playing time. On many other teams, he would have had a free ticket to start day one. Not in San Antonio.

Yet, this may come to his benefit. The point guard position is one of the hardest to learn in the NBA. Much like a quarterback in the NFL, the position takes years of learning to master. As the head of a 5-man machine, the point guard is tasked with a lot. So, instead of throwing him into the wolves from day one, Harper will have time to learn under Fox and perfect his craft.

Furthermore, Harper possesses one critical flaw: his jumpshot. In the modern NBA, it is crucial to be able to shoot effectively. In a league where nearly every player on the court is expected to be taking jump shots, Harper's average stroke will need to improve. The number one goal for Harper will be to develop this facet of his game.

However, this may not matter at the end of the day.

Don't diminish these lofty comparisons

Many skeptics believe that without a prominent jump shot, you can't be a superstar. Without the ability to invoke fear into the possibility of a shot, defenders can loosen up and sit back towards the rim. This severely hinders the players' ability to reach their spots. But, as we have seen, this hasn't stopped the great ones.

Look no further than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The reigning MVP has made a living off driving to the hoop, drawing contact, and finding his prolific mid-range shot. He averaged a league high 32.7 points per game, doing that just that. So why can't Harper?

Another great example is Cade Cunningham. The bruising point guard hasn't needed a consistent deep-ball to be a dominant force on offense. Cunningham is also an excellent illustration of why point guards need time to develop. It wasn't until this season that the 4-year veteran blossomed. The path to stardom does not happen overnight.

With that being said, why can't Harper become one of the very best in the game? His uniquely amazing scoring prowess around the rim can make up for his lack of a three-point shot, and he is in a situation to learn under an All-Star point guard.

The writing is on the wall for Harper to be elite; it's time that we acknowledge this. Don't let the pessimism take over. Harper has everything he needs to break barriers.