Sixers-Raptors game three takeaways: Tobias Harris the Role Player
Tobias Harris has finally embraced the role player mentality, and now he’s playing the best basketball of his career. He only scored 11 points in Wednesday’s victory, but he also grabbed 12 rebounds, guarded the heck out of Pascal Siakam, and set the bone-crushing screen on Precious Achiuwa that freed up Joel Embiid for the game-winning 3 in overtime.
Ever since he arrived in Philadelphia, the Sixers have needed “more from less” with Tobias. He’s a great 3-point shooter, a tremendous rebounder, and a pretty good defender when he buys in. He can also hunt mismatches, score in the post, and create something from scratch when he’s in a pinch. But Harris has never been a dominant one-on-one scorer, or a particularly great No. 2 option. That’s what he was for long stretches this season, and when James Harden arrived, fans rightfully questioned whether Harris could adjust his approach in time for the playoffs. He has, and he has exceeded all expectations as a result.
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No player has been more consistently laudable through three games than Tobias. He’s not having the best series by traditional series, but he has been an anchor for the Sixers in more ways than one. He’s winning arguably the toughest defensive matchup on the team, he’s making the effort plays on the margins, and he — much like Tyrese Maxey — has taken advantage of the extra attention afforded to Embiid and Harden, turning in a supremely efficient series offensively.
Harris has a spotty postseason track record with the SIxers, but he deserves immense credit for his performance in a series that, on paper, looked like an unfavorable matchup. Harris has made individual sacrifices for the betterment of the team, and if the Sixers make a long run, he will be right at the center of it.