Dylan Harper just put Mitch Johnson in an impossible situation

Dylan Harper just proved he's nowhere close to being scared of the moment. Maybe that's what happens when your father is a five-time NBA champion, but regardless of the reason, it's hard not to wonder if this kid should be starting right now. That means taking someone out of the opening unit, and the most obvious choice based on production and expectation is De'Aaron Fox. The Spurs just signed the former Kings star to a max contract, so there's no way Mitch Johnson could do that. However, Harper is likely to make it difficult to keep him on the bench for much longer, which means tough decisions for the staff. The Spurs have the talent to win big but the margins can be small. Stephon Castle was steady from start to finish, though not perfect, but exceptional for a sophomore in his first postseason. The younger half of Area 51 stepped up and led the Silver and Black with a 33-point performance, which they desperately needed. Fans aren't surprised by this output, as the former UConn star has jaw-dropping stat lines throughout the season. Harper couldn't do it on his own; he needed someone to come along for the ride. In the second half, when the offense got stagnant, he put the offense on his back, dropping 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. His efficiency was off the charts: 75% from the field (9/12) and 80% from deep (4/5). The Spurs won 120-108, but Harper's production was crucial. The third quarter was struggling for the second seed in the Western Conference, already down after halftime to a confident Trail Blazers team. Scoot Henderson motivated Dylan Harper by trash-talking him, leading to a dominant performance that secured the victory. A rookie did that on the road. The veteran star, signed to a max deal in the summer, hasn't lived up to the numbers he signed for. If this continues, it's obvious that Johnson should start Dylan, but the politics of basketball might prevent that. Hopefully, Victor Wembanyama's return will help on Sunday.