Philadelphia 76ers: 3 reasons Tobias Harris can be an All-Star

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Philadelphia 76ers, Tobias Harris (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Tobials Harris is making a legit case to be a third All-Star for the Philadelphia 76ers early this season.

One of the good surprises early on this season is the efficiency of Tobias Harris as a secondary scoring option for the Philadelphia 76ers. His production this year, along with other factors, is making a valid case for the 28-year-old forward to make his first All-Star selection.

It should be noted that while the All-Star game itself has been canceled in Indiana and the 2021 All-Star weekend as a whole is in limbo.

3 reasons Harris can be an All-Star: His efficiency

The easiest place to start is with Harris. This has been by far his most efficient year and his best defensively as well. Let’s start with defense because “defense wins championships” as the old adage goes.

“His efficiency and improved defense, along with his impressive stat line is a good first point in an argument for Harris to become an All-Star this year. ”

For most of his career, Harris has been a slightly below average defender. Last season, Harris had shown to be an average defender despite guarding opposing small forwards which is out of position for him. He’s averaging a career high in steals (1.1) and blocks (1.0) thus far and the advanced numbers show it’s been the best defensive season of his career.

His Defensive Rating per 100 possessions is at a career best 105 and his Defensive Plus/Minus score is at a career high as well at plus-0.4. Defensively, he’s been an active and engaged defender and it’s something that can’t be ignored.

Harris’ offensive numbers are just as impressive as his improved defense. He’s averaging 19.0 points on 50.7 percent shooting from the field (career high), 44.7 percent from the 3-point line (career high), and 82.4 percent from the foul line.

To put it into the perspective, Harris’ 3-point percent is the 32nd best in the league. The only players that are shooting better than him and scoring more points are Kevin Durant, Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, Paul George, and Collin Sexton.

His efficiency and improved defense, along with his impressive stat line is a good first point in an argument for Harris to become an All-Star this year.