Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking every player on the 2020-21 roster

Ranking every Sixers player #3 — Tobias Harris

I wish I could confidently write about Tobias Harris being a definitive true third wheel in a Philly ‘Big 3’ that would also encompass Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. His contract would certainly indicate that he should at minimum be that type of player since he is being paid the most. Aside from any discussions surrounding his place as part of a Philly ‘Big 3,’ I think we can all agree he is the third best player on the team. Outside of Shake Milton, Tobias is really the only player on the roster that can generate his own shot off the dribble from the perimeter.

I believe that for the 76ers to truly contend this season, Tobias will have a take a leap forward. Tobias had his best seasons in the league under Doc Rivers when he was with the Clippers. While he was on those Clippers teams, Harris averaged nearly 20 points and pulled in eight rebounds per game. He’s basically doing the same thing now for the 76ers, but the difference in his performance lays in the shooting percentages. Tobias was shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 43 percent from 3 before being traded to Philly. Since then his percentages have dropped. Last year he was only a 36.7 percent shooter from behind the arc.

The 76ers need him to be better than that in an offense that generates looks off the greatness of Ben and Joel. Tobias needs to shoot the 3-ball with confidence, be a leader in the locker room, average at least 20 points with eight boards and prove to the 76ers faithful that he isn’t producing empty stats as a result of his inefficiencies. Tobias must play like he’s the third best player on the team. Hopefully, Doc can pull out the Tobias Harris that we saw leading the Clippers before we traded for him.

— ADAM GILBERT