The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Tobias Harris is primed for All-Star season

CAMDEN, NJ - JULY 12: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait on July 12, 2019 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
CAMDEN, NJ - JULY 12: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait on July 12, 2019 at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia 76ers are primed to have a big season and that could turn into Tobias Harris making his first All-Star game.

The Philadelphia 76ers have the opportunity to have top record in the Eastern Conference and have a legit shot of making the NBA Finals this upcoming season. Forward Tobias Harris believes the Sixers are the best team in the East and there’s a real he could be right. However, that’s not the only thing that Harris should be looking forward to.

The newly re-signed forward has a legit shot of finally making his first NBA All-Star game in his eight year career. Last season was the closest that Harris has ever got in his professional career to making an All-Star game.

As the primary offensive option for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while converting 43.4 percent from the 3-point line. Despite putting up these numbers prior to the All-Star game and being traded to Philly, he didn’t get voted in.

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After being traded to the Sixers, Harris still put up impressive numbers despite being a fourth or fifth option on offense the majority of the time. With the 76ers he averaged 18.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists, while making 32.6 percent from downtown. Despite the poor shooting from behind the arc, those are still impressive averages considering he was behind Joel Embiid, J.J. Redick and Jimmy Butler as a scoring option in the half court.

Now that Butler and Redick have left the team and have been replaced by Josh Richardson and Al Horford, Harris should easily become a second option on offense behind Embiid in the half court. Harris should get a lot more touches this upcoming season than he had with Philly last year. His stat lines should go up as a result of his new offensive responsibilities. He should be averaging around the same numbers he did with the Clippers last season, if not higher this upcoming year as a result of his new role with Philly.

Another thing to consider is that there’s won’t be that much competition for an All-Star forward spot in the East this upcoming season. Kawhi Leonard has moved to the Western Conference and it’s almost certain that Kevin Durant won’t be playing before the All-Star game this upcoming seaosn. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Blake Griffin are the only elite forwards in the East. It seems like a prime opportunity for Harris to get into the mix for All-Star nomination.

With Harris set to become a primary offensive option for the Philadelphia 76ers and the East having a weak class of forwards, he has a legit chance of finally being named an All-Star game this upcoming season.