Forgotten Dylan Harper moment proves he's Wembanyama's future co-star

Lost in Dylan Harper's impressive rookie season is a forgotten moment that showed his true superstar potential. During the Spurs' first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Harper was directly challenged by former third overall pick Scoot Henderson.

Henderson was having a strong series before he poked the hornet's net and got into it with Harper. Harper responded by dogwalking Henderson in the fourth quarter en route to dropping 27 points on just 12 shots

Having a rookie drop 27 points in a playoff game is one thing, but doing so off the bench is another thing altogether. It's not just that; he completely outclassed a former top prospect who was actually having a strong series up to that point.

Dylan Harper dominating the Blazers shows his true potential

That game proved to be the turning point of the series, with San Antonio taking a 2-1 lead. They would go on to win Game 4 and, later, the series, with Henderson playing much worse after attempting to show up to Harper.

That moment has been largely forgotten, with San Antonio having a long playoff run that featured other big moments. Nevertheless, it's one that showed just how special Harper is.

Being able to take over a playoff game on the road as a rookie is a rarity, and few 20-year-olds have done it. Yet Harper did so effortlessly, and it's not as though the Blazers were some pushover team.

They ranked 12th in defensive rating last season and are known to have a built-in home-court advantage playing in Portland. Harper destroying both Henderson and the Blazers in that game could be a sign of things to come.

Dylan Harper has a superstar written all over him

It's just not just that one game against the Blazers; Harper had other big games during the playoffs last season. He had a stellar 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He also scored 25 points and grabbed five rebounds off the bench in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. In fact, he was the third best player in that series behind Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama. For a 20-year-old to play that well on a big stage only shows how much potential he has.

Next season, he should have an expanded role, possibly averaging around 30 minutes per game while playing with the second unit. More playing time could be all that he needs to break out.

If he can average around 16.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists next season, then that would be a huge leap. In fact, it could possibly put him in Most Improved Player and Sixth Man of the Year discussions and would also prove that he is on a superstar trajectory. Henderson and the Blazers already know that firsthand.

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