The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Who’s in contention for 2020 NBA awards?

By Christopher Kline

Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Tobias Harris

IN CONTENTION FOR…

  • All-NBA teams

I’ll keep it frank — you probably shouldn’t bet money on Tobias Harris winning any awards this summer (fall?). He started the season cold, and his reputation is irrevocably tied to his contract, fair or not. He will never live up to $180 million, and therefore the analysis of Harris is almost always bent negative.

He doesn’t deserve such a negative spin on his production, though. Harris has been crucial to the Sixers’ success this season, and he followed his rocky start with a genuinely impressive four-month stretch after October.

On the season, Harris averaged a respectable 19.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He shot 36.2 percent from deep, and helped buoy Philadelphia’s clunky halfcourt offense. When you consider he spent most of the season out of position, his effectiveness only becomes more impressive.

There’s a lot of top-shelf frontcourt talent in the league. Harris doesn’t have the big-name sway or the status of a No. 1 option to help his case. He’s essentially the No. 3 guy on a team that has underperformed all season. And yet, he should still earn a few stray votes. It doesn’t take too deep a dive to recognize Harris’ productivity this season, whether it’s indicative of a max contract or not.