As a seasoned sports analyst with over a decade in NBA data science, I’ve watched how teams gamble on draft picks—and Portland’s approach to Harrison is no anomaly. His 16th-pick status isn’t just luck; it’s a tactical experiment. With VAR, biomechanics, and cold-blooded analytics shaping his role, we’re seeing if the Trail Blazers’ culture can evolve him—or erase him. Let’s dissect this before the season drops.