The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Tobias Harris’ usage by the 76ers a disgrace under Doc

By Nick Butler

Apr 5, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers talks to Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers talks to Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports /
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 05: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 05: Tobias Harris #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Boston Celtics during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Second Round Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 05, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

It was mind-boggling considering how Harris excelled previously with the Clippers under Doc. The system never changed with Doc Rivers, but the personnel did. Pushing Tobias to the side was a mistake.

Harris deserves better. A versatile player who just wants to win and will do whatever it takes for the team to win. Harris will thrive under a coach like Nick Nurse. Even with all the noise, Tobias Harris understands what he can do and what skill sets he brings.

At some point, the noise becomes too much, and as a man, you need to stick up for yourself, and maybe get a new sponsorship as well.

Even Tobias’s dad knows the Sixers have been using him wrong. When Torrel Harris made an appearance on the Business of Sports podcast. (H/T Dave Early of Liberty Ballers)

"“Personally, I don’t think so. The reason I say that, well Tobias is an assassin scorer. I mean they can’t stop him. Nobody in the league can stop him. So he’s proven that over his career even when he was with the Clippers he was an assassin scorer…. “And then [L.A.] traded him ’cause they got too good [and wanted to pivot to the Draft Lottery]. They offered us $80M, I turned down the $80M. They said ‘wow what are you looking for?’ I said ‘I want about $35M a year and they’re like ‘what? — I said ‘yeah, $35M a year. [They] said ‘well, we’re not gonna pay you that.’ So they traded him to the Sixers. Ever since [then] the Sixers,’ they put him in the corner.”"

While Torrel Harris is correct about the utilization of Tobias here in Philadelphia. Harris was phenomenal for the Clippers and a big cornerstone piece for that team becoming good and a destination for players besides the Lakers. Even still, Torrel continued:

"“They took away, they didn’t utilize him, he was not a priority in their offense. And that’s kind of frustrating because if you’re a kick-butt player. … you don’t want to be in the corner twiddling your thumb. I just think that when they gave him opportunities — like there was a stretch Joel didn’t play and James Harden, didn’t play for like 15 games — he led the team and averaged over 25 points. Then they come back ‘okay, well you gotta go back in the corner.’"