Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking every player on the roster (April 2020)
3. Tobias Harris
PRESEASON RANKING: 3
Has Tobias Harris met expectations this year? Let’s look at three facets of what he brings to the team.
It’s no secret that offensive production is the primary reason the 76ers signed Tobias Harris to such a hefty contract. Has he delivered in this area? Throughout the season, he has shown that he can score from any spot on the floor. Whether it’s been three-point shooting, dribble drives, mid range jumpers, or post ups, Harris can hang his hat on this aspect for the Sixers.
More good news is that his shooting percentages have been steady, both at the free-throw line and from the field — 80.6 percent and 47.2 percent, respectively. His 36.2 percent three-point shooting average has dipped slightly since last year, but he has been one of the team’s most consistent shooters from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Harris has not been a complete let down. He averages under one block and one steal per game, but his defensive rebounding has been solid at six boards. There have even been instances where he has manned up against his opponent and forced bad shots.
Then, there’s leadership. The intangibles that a player like Tobias Harris brings is immeasurable. For instance, within the locker room, he is one of the few players that initiates team building experiences. This is something that is undervalued in the era of social media and screen time interaction. In addition, Harris has been a great mentor for the younger players like Matisse Thybulle and Shake Milton. Lastly, his on-court leadership has also been good, too. He’s led the way on several occasions, picking up the offensive slack when Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons have missed games.
Will Tobias Harris ever have prolific numbers in order to justify his $180 million contract? Most likely not. Yet, he continues to be a steady player for the Sixers on and off the court.