NBA Notes: Spurs, Dylan Harper, Nets, Pelicans, Derik Queen

Spurs

Spurs rookie Dylan Harper is expected to make his Las Vegas Summer League debut on Saturday after missing the team’s first game due to a minor groin injury, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. The setback also kept Harper out of the California Classic, but his development hasn’t exactly hit pause.

Instead, the No. 2 overall pick has been soaking up wisdom from some of the franchise’s greats. Namely, Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and especially Manu Ginobili.

“It caught me off guard,” Harper said of seeing Duncan and Popovich around the gym. “I was like, ‘Maybe they’re just here this one day?’ And they’re like, ‘No, they are here all the time.’ … That’s really what culture is.”

Harper, a lefty guard like Ginobili, said he’s leaned heavily on the Spurs legend for guidance.

“I talk to him the most,” Harper said. “Just about the speed of the game, adapting to it, staying locked in… all the little things.”

With a pedigree that includes a 15-year NBA vet for a father (Ron Harper) and a brother already in the league, Harper arrives with a strong foundation, and the Spurs are doing their part to build on it.

Nets

The Nets surprised many by selecting Egor Demin at No. 8 in this year’s draft, but team brass believes in the upside.

“Size, passing and shooting is the trifecta in today’s NBA,” Nets GM Sean Marks said, via Lucas Kaplan of Nets Daily. “And the improvement we’ve seen from him in workouts was pretty outstanding.”

Demin’s shooting remains the swing skill, but he’ll get clean looks next to natural scorers like newcomer Michael Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas (assuming, of course, Thomas returns). His feel as a passer should also pop, especially if Brooklyn surrounds him with solid screen-setters.

Pelicans

Pelicans rookie big man Derik Queen had a bit of everything in his Summer League debut — including a rough start. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, but also committed seven turnovers in the loss to Minnesota.

“Twitter and Instagram are probably going crazy right now,” Queen said postgame, via Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “I have to redeem myself.”

Despite the miscues, Queen stayed upbeat.

“I think I flipped the switch in the second half,” he said. “I feel like I got the hang of it now.”