Sixers: Pros and cons of Montrezl Harrell signing

Pro to Sixers signing Montrezl Harrell: Toughness

The storyline of Philadelphia’s second-round exit last season was a severe lack of mental toughness. The team crumbled under pressure, often looking disinterested and uninspired when the stakes were highest. That starts at the top and no single reserve center is going to fix the issue, but Harrell does bring a competitive spark to the lineup.

Harrell plays with frenzied enthusiasm. He’s willing to get right in the thick of things. He strives to muck up the game. He’s willing to get physical, as Joel Embiid very well knows.

Harrell can let his emotions get the better of him, but you’d rather have a team full of players who outwardly care — who fight hard and wear their hearts on their sleeves — rather than passively let the season pass them by. Last year’s Sixers were too subdued, too vanilla. Harrell will bring some spice to the rotation.

Between Harrell and P.J. Tucker, Philadelphia now has those “enforcers” that every contender needs. Harrell’s value to the Sixers is related as much to personality and approach as it to skill set. He’s going to go out and compete every night.