Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking Tobias Harris as a power forward 2021

Lucas Johnson

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

It took a while but ranking where the Philadelphia 76ers‘ power forward Tobias Harris is among the other starters at his position in the NBA is finally done. Thus far, I’ve ranked where Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Danny Green rank at their respective positions. It seems only right to do it for Harris as well.

To be clear, Harris is having a career year with the Sixers. After a weird season the previous year playing out of position, he has been able to bounce back. The change back to his natural position at power forward helped as well as the change at head coach with the hiring of Doc Rivers also made a difference.

Harris had a history of past success with Rivers during their respective stints so it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s doing well when the two reunited this season.

“Based on stats it appears that Harris is a top-10 power forward in the NBA this season.”

Ranking the Philadelphia 76ers’ Harris as a power forward

These rankings are rankings in terms of stats among the other starters on this list.

This year Harris is averaging 19.5 points per game which is the eighth-best among starting power forwards. His 6.8 rebounds per game is ranked 10th among fellow starters as well. He’s also tied for eighth in assist per game with 3.6.

His shooting percentages are pretty impressive as well. His 51.7 percent shooting on field goals and 40.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line are both fifth-best compared to his fellow starters. Harris’ free throw shooting is elite, he’s first among starters at 89.1 percent.

Based on stats it appears that Harris is a top-10 power forward in the NBA this season. However, let’s just see where he actually ranks in the following slides.

Jaden McDaniels (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

30. Oshae Brissett

Oshae Brissett has been jumping between the NBA and G-League these past two years. He only recently joined the Indiana Pacers but it appears he has found a home with the Brissett starting at power forward in the past few games. If he had played the whole season, he might be higher on this list but the sample size isn’t big.

29. Jalen McDaniels

For most of this season, P.J. Washington would have been representing the Charlotte Hornets on this list and would have been higher in these rankings. However, due to poor play from Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo, Washington has shifted to center. As a result, Jalen McDaniels is starting at power forward and has been a solid defender at the position but is still raw as a player overall.

28. Chuma Okeke

After redshirting his rookie year, Chuma Okeke has been having a solid season for the Orlando Magic. He’s played both forward positions for Orlando this season but since the trade deadline, he’s been their power forward. If he can get his 3-point shot up to an average percentage, then he would be a very good prospect moving forward.

27. Jaden McDaniels

Jaden McDaniels has been a steal for the Minnesota Timberwolves thus far from the 2020 NBA Draft. The rookie has been the best defensive player in the T-Wolves frontcourt this season. He needs time to develop into his body and learn the game, but he has a bright future.

26. Kevin Love

It’s a shame that former All-Star Kevin Love is stuck on the Cleveland Cavaliers. Due to age and him clearly not wanting there his play is the worst season of his career. He needs a change of scenery in the worst way and is probably the one player in the NBA that needs it the most.

Keldon Johnson (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

25. Trevor Ariza

Despite being 35 years old, the veteran small forward has filled in well as the Miami Heat’s starting power forward. Trevor Ariza is still a solid 3-and-D player and the fact he didn’t play this season until the Heat traded for him from the Oklahoma City Thunder makes it even more impressive that he’s been this good.

24. Maxi Kleber

Maxi Kleber would probably be a center on most teams and even acts as a center for the Dallas Maverick from time to time. He’s a solid defender who can stretch the floor. He’s not super athletic, which does put limitations on his game.

23. Daniel Theis

Daniel Theis started half the season as the Boston Celtics starting center but was undersized for the role at 6-foot-8. He’s now starting alongside Nicola Vucevic with the Chicago Bulls as their power forward. He’s a versatile defender who can occasionally stretch the floor although his primary value is on defense.

22. Darius Bazley

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a solid young prospect at the four spot in Darius Bazley. He’s a long athletic player at the position and has upside on both ends of the ball. That being written, he struggles with consistency on both ends of the court and isn’t an efficient scorer at the moment, however, at 20 years old he has room to grow.

21. Keldon Johnson

The San Antonio Spurs have the one of the smallest starting power forward in the NBA with Keldon Johnson. It’s surprising at 6-foot-5 he can defender opposing power forwards as well as he does. He can also take advantage of those matchups on offense as he has a lot of perimeter skills. If he was allowed to play as a wing in the future he could be a very good player down the road.

Jae Crowder (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

20. Rui Hachimura

The Washington Wizards have a promising young prospect in Rui Hachimura. The second year power forward is a versatile athlete. He still is raw but is making strides on both sides of the ball. If he can improve his shooting, he could be in the top half of these rankings in the future.

19. Kyle Anderson

Despite the recent return of Jaren Jackson Jr. from injury, Kyle Anderson is still kept in the category of power forward as he’s held the position for essentially the whole season for the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s having a career as a starter and as his nickname, “Slo-Mo” would indicate, his ability to play slow has thrown opposing defenders off rhythm. He’s a solid playmaker, 3-point shooter, and defender.

18. Kelly Olynyk

“Former Sixers’ 3-and-D forward Robert Covington is having the second lowest scoring season of his career…”

If Kelly Olynyk had played the whole year with the Houston Rockets, versus getting traded to them midseason from the Miami Heat, he may be higher on this list. However, as a member of the Rockets, Olynyk has been an offensive bright spot for the rebuilding Rockets. If he had been bought out, he would have been a target for the Philadelphia 76ers.

17. Jae Crowder

The Phoenix Suns have had a revolving door at power forward with Dario Saric, Cameron Johnson, and even Frank Kaminsky getting starts this year. However, they settled on Jae Crowder as their starter. He’s a solid veteran who’s hitting a high percentage of his 3-pointers. He’s an undersized power forward at 6-foot-6, but he’s one of the most underrated defenders in the league. He’s an important part of the Phoenix Suns’ success this year.

16. Robert Covington

Former Sixers’ 3-and-D forward Robert Covington is having the second lowest scoring season of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, he’s still hitting his 3-pointers and defending at a high level, which is what the Blazers need. While he’s starting at the power forward position he can guard shooting guards and both forward positions.

Draymond Green (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

15. Bojan Bogdanovic

Offensively, Bojan Bogdanovic is arguably top-10 among power forward. He’s a three-level scorer who is lethal as an outside shooting. He’s been an important key to the Utah Jazz’s success this season behind Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. However, he’s not a good defender which lands him at the 15th spot.

14. Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes doesn’t get enough love for just how good he is. He’s the ultimate role player in the NBA. He’s a 3-and-D wing that can occasionally create his own shot. Sadly, he’s wasting away on the Sacramento Kings. He could be a missing piece for several teams from being a contender. It should be noted that Marvin Bagley III has recently returned to the lineup, but due to Barnes holding the position most of the season, he gets the nod on this list as well.

13. Marcus Morris

Marcus Morris wasn’t the starter to begin the year for the Los Angeles Clippers, that was originally Nicolas Batum, who is having a great year in his own right. Morris, however, has the second-best 3-point percentage in the NBA this year. Morris was already a solid two-way player, so this hot shooting certainly makes him valuable to the Clippers’ title hopes this year.

12. Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon began the year with the struggling Orlando Magic before getting traded to the Denver Nuggets. Gordon can do a little of everything and is one of the most athletic players in the league. If Jamal Murray didn’t go down with injuries, then it could have been argued that he made the Nuggets the favorite to come out of the Western Conference playoff bracket.

11. Draymond Green

It would be a lie to write that ranking Draymond Green was easy. He was as low as 17th and as high as 10th in these rankings as I created this list. Draymond is a non-factor scoring the ball at this stage of his career with the Golden State Warriors. He just can’t shoot the ball anymore, but he’s still an elite defender and playmaker. He’s probably going to be a Hall of Famer which helped him in these rankings.

10. John Collins

John Collins can be a small-ball five, but he’s primarily a power forward for the Atlanta Hawks. If it weren’t for having Clint Capela as the starting center, Collins would probably be a double-double machine. Collins can score around the rim and can hit outside shot and can defend his position well. He should be a big part of the Hawks’ future as he’s only 23 years old.

9. Jerami Grant

Jerami Grant is another former member of the Philadelphia 76ers and is a legit candidate for the Most Improved Player award based on the huge jump in production during his first season with the Detroit Pistons. In years previous he was just a solid two-way player who was primarily a defender, but now he’s become a three-level scorer who can create his own shot now.

8. Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris has earned his place in the top-10 in these rankings. He’s become one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA and has become an underrated defender. He’s learned how to hunt mismatches, he also knows what he does great on offense and focuses on it. Harris has been a legit third wheel for the Sixers big three this season.

7. Pascal Siakam

Like his team the Toronto Raptors, Pascal Siakam had a somewhat disappointing season. Outside of a drop in his 3-point percentage, Siakam didn’t take a step back but actually, he improved as a playmaker. However, he wasn’t able to lead a short-handed Raptors to a playoff berth this season, which is why his season can be considered a disappointment.

6. Jayson Tatum

I flip-flopped having Jayson Tatum at either five or six. However, based on how well the guy I choose at five is doing and the fact I think Tatum would be best at a small forward position is why I have him at six. That being written, Tatum is a two-way superstar. Outside of playmaking, there’s no area of his game where he’s not excellent. It should be noted that the Boston Celtics didn’t do a good job building around him and Jalyn Brown this season.

Julius Randle (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

5. Julius Randle

Personally, I’ve always loved Julius Randle as a player, however, like others, I didn’t see him taking his game to this level. He’s the favorite to win the Most Improved Player award and a legit MVP candidate. He’s improved his defense, shooting, and ball handling. He’s becoming a go-to guy for the surging New York Knicks.

4. Zion Williamson

It’s fair to say that Zion Williamson is one of the strongest players in the NBA. The New Orleans Pelicans have Williams acting as the primary playmaker as well this year and it’s unlocked a new facet of his game. He’s only in his second season, but there’s a good chance he could make the top of this list at some point in his career.

3. Anthony Davis

Health has been a problem for Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers this season. However, when healthy, Davis is a top-five big man in the NBA. He’s an elite two-way big that can change the flow of the game on the defensive end. The only question that surrounds Davis is can he carry a team if he were the best player.

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks have the most physically dominant power forward in the game. Giannis Antetokounmpo is almost as strong as Williamson, as long as Davis, and has the handles of Green. He’s a two-time MVP and with a better support cast, this year he has a shot to make his first NBA Finals. The only weakness in his game is his outside shot, but he’s been slowly improving in that area over the years.

1. Kevin Durant

Despite playing most of his career as a small forward, the Brooklyn Nets have Kevin Durant playing power forward. Durant is the most efficient scorer in NBA history and outside of health, there is no question surrounding the greatness of Durant. If he and his co-stars are healthy, then the Nets are the favorite to win the title this year.

Harris is clearly a top-10 power forward in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers might have overpaid to retain Harris a few offseason ago, but being in the top-10 makes that overpay more manageable.