Gregg Popovich message helped New Jersey native Dylan Harpers NBA Finals dream become reality

SAN ANTONIO — Dylan Harper is too young to have seen the Knicks in the NBA Finals. Gregg Popovich, left, talks with Victor Wembanyama on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets March 5, 2024,“I’ve been to so many Knicks playoff games, Knicks games — I live 25, 30 minutes from the arena — … It’s a dream come true,” Harper said after the Spurs defeated the Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.“My dream has always been to play in [Madison Square] Garden in the NBA Finals and I get to do that my first year.

I’m not gonna take [anything] for granted.”Harper, the No.2 overall pick in last year’s NBA draft and an All-Rookie First-Team selection, was in high school just two years ago, leading Don Bosco Prep to a state title. Last year, he paired with Ace Bailey to form Rutgers’ greatest recruiting class, but they were unable to lead the Scarlet Knights to a winning record (15-17).“I think that if you would have told [me] this last year, I would have told you you’re crazy,” Harper said.

“I think that you kind of go through what you go through to get to moments like this.”The 6-foot-5 guard’s arrival to San Antonio enabled the Spurs to elevate from a non-playoff team to their first NBA Finals in 12 years.In his first postseason, Harper has exuded the confidence of his five-time champion father (Ron), ranking first among all guards in the postseason in true shooting percentage (57.9) while averaging 13.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals in less than 26 minutes per game.After being slowed by an adductor injury during the Western Conference finals, Harper received a message from Gregg Popovich — the five-time champion turned Spurs President of Basketball Operations — with the team one loss from elimination.“After Game 5, he texted me personally,” Harper said.

“(He was) just like, ‘You’ve got to find a way to get the job done.’ ”In Game 6, Harpe...