Philadelphia 76ers: The resurgence of Tobias Harris

The resurgence of Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris is a testament to the importance of coaching.

Tobias Harris had finally found a home. He had become the de facto number one option on a LA Clippers team that was shocking the world. He was averaging 20.9 points a game on 43.4 percent from 3.

For a guy that spent most of his career bouncing around from team to team, Harris could finally settle down with the Clippers.

A blockbuster trade suddenly shook his world, as he went from the first option on the Clippers, to the fourth option on the star studded Philadelphia 76ers. His efficiency dipped tremendously, with his 3-point percentage dropping more than 10 percentage points after joining the Sixers.

Oftentimes, Brett Brown failed to utilize Harris in the manner that Doc Rivers did. Under Brett Brown, he struggled to establish himself on offense. From afar, it looked as if the Sixers were trying to force Harris to be the missing piece for the Sixers.

The 2019-20 season was no different for Tobias Harris. He was indecisive in Brett Brown’s system. He often passed up open triples in exchange for tough mid-range jumpers that very rarely went in.

He found little spacing on the court as he was being suffocated by Al Horford and Ben Simmons. He found himself in a role that was too much for him. Harris was being asked to be a secondary play maker for the Sixers. This was a role that he was not capable of filling, leading to unnecessary dribbling and a dip in efficiency.

Sixers fans quickly turned on Harris. Elton Brand had just resigned Tobias to a 5 year/$180M deal, a deal that was necessary after the Sixers gave up numerous assets to acquire him. Sixers fans were expecting more production, or at least for him to play like he did with the Clippers, but were disappointed as Harris struggled to get acclimated to his new home.

Tobias Harris reuniting with Doc Rivers

Fast forward to 2021 and Tobias Harris is very much thriving on the court. There are a variety of factors that can be attributed to Tobias’ bounce back season, with the first being Doc Rivers.

Harris played the best basketball of his career when he was playing for Coach Rivers. Rivers has Harris playing quick and divisive, something that Rivers said Harris struggled with in the season prior.

Tobias Harris, like Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, is benefiting from much better spacing on the floor. Instead of Al Horford and Josh Richardson, two hesitant 3-point shooters, he has Seth Curry and Danny Green.

Curry and Green are two deadeye shooters, both launching 3s with no hesitation. Tobias himself has been much more willing to fire open 3s in the flow of the offense, something that could not be said last season.

Harris being decisive on his touches has led to a spike in his shooting splits. Harris went from shooting splits of 47/38/81 in the 2019-20 season, to splits of 51/42/89 so far this season.

As Harris flirts with a potential 50/40/90 season, Sixers fans have to be pleased. When the playoffs come around and games slow down, he will have a lot to carry on his broad shoulders.

He has proved that he is more than capable of carrying that load this season, leading fans to wonder if his resurgent start to the season is enough for his first career all star appearance this season.