The GQ Hype article that spotlights Spurs guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper has left some fans wondering if Harper will be comfortable coming off the bench this season. In the article, Harper comments that he is going to be this season’s Sixth Man of the Year. Castle immediately tells Harper he will not. When pressed by interviewer Cam Wolf on whether he thinks he will even be coming off the bench, Harper replies,
“What’s the political answer here? I’m going to do whatever the team needs me to do,
man. If that’s come off the bench….That’s crazy. F*ck no. I ain’t coming off no bench.”
Castle goads Harper adding,
“Bro, all you got to know is you going to be in the starting lineup. Be ready to hoop.”
Wolf goes on to say “Later in the conversation, Harper walks the Sixth Man thing back: “’ was lying,”‘he says. ‘I had a smile on my face.’
At Spurs Media Day on Monday, News 4 San Antonio Sports Director Don Harris asked Harper about the comment. The twenty-year-old guard continued to roll back the comments shared in the article.
“Definitely some sarcasm into it, on the second part. But I feel I’ve showed that I’ve improved, that whatever the team needs me to do time and time again I feel like I’ve done it. So I mean, if it’s coming off the bench having to play that role, I’m totally fine with doing it because I did it last year.”
Harris then asked De’Aaron Fox how he as a two-time All-Star, max player can start while Harper needs more minutes to grow. Harris asked, “So what would you do if you were the head coach?” Of course, Fox responded responsibly stating, “I’m not the coach, it’s not my decision,” adding “We know we’re all going to play together. Obviously, we all don’t know what that’s going to look like, but we’re all talented…it makes us better as a team being able to share the floor together.”
Fox obviously has some years, some wisdom, and some experience at being asked tough questions. He handles the pressure extremely well, especially considering his struggles in the post season and the pundits shouting “trade him” in the offseason.
From the entire GQ article, it is clear that Castle and Harper have a tight friendship and rile each other up in a challenging and friendly way. But this is not the first time Harper has made comments (or been accused of making comments). His age and experience aside, it comes down to personality. Is he the type of player that will put his team first, or will his ego require more than a Spurs team designed on the ethic of players being “over themself” can provide?
For one, the idea of players being over themselves was generated by Pop. As Head Coach Mitch Johnson continues to make this team his own and step out of the shadow of the greatest NBA coach of all time, a dynamic in personalities may shirt.
Already we have seen how Victor Wembanyama differs from Tim Duncan, who differed from David Robinson. Each has paved their own way and shaped the team through their talent and personality.
In the same way, Castle and Harper are vastly different that Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. There is a more vocalized ego in their swagger, something older Spurs fans have not seen yet.
The key to the success will be making it work for everybody involved — from the players to the coaching staff, through the front office and back to the families and significant others involved.
We all know the influence family can have on a player. Look no further than Kawhi Leonard and “Uncle Dennis” to see how some egos are groomed from the outside to ruin what is going on within the franchise.
That’s not to say Dylan Harper is getting bad advise or being bolstered in a way damaging to his career, but he does come from a family of successful players and coaches. Hopefully those voices are preaching patience, experience, and the opportunity for multiple championships.
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.
Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.
