Tobias Harris’ usage by the 76ers a disgrace under Doc
By Nick Butler
Even when Harden and Embiid have had off nights, Harris has been one of the crowd and has come up short, but there have also been games where he has carried the offense until his co-stars were able to pick it up and carry the load.
In this free-flowing offense of new head coach Nick Nurse, the offense is going to be more fluid. Nick Nurse’s DVD, Nick Nurse: The Spread Offense, explains how Nick Nurse’s system operates.
"“Unlike most traditional 4-out, 1-in offenses, Coach Nurse’s spread offense is designed to spread the floor to create driving opportunities. With perimeter players spread around the 3-point line and a fifth player in the “dunker spot”, the offense is designed to create space and facilitate any player looking to attack the basket.”"
This should benefit all 5 players, if the Sixers run it back, immensely. Nurse’s system drives off possession time and is effective.
"“Regardless of how the ball was collected, attacking in transition is key for creating space and opening up opportunities to attack the paint. In Coach Nurse’s system, wings sprint to the corners as the point guard advances the ball. Whenever the point guard gets the basketball, they must push and attack before the defense can get set. Another way to attack the paint is to execute Pitch with the trailer. The point guard drives to the middle of the floor and works a hand-off to the trailer, who looks to attack the basket. On the drive, the trailer looks to get to the free throw line, finish at the rim, or kick out for a 3-point shot opportunity for a perimeter player. The last aspect of Coach Nurse’s attack phase is to incorporate the dunker spot. In transition, the first post player down the floor looks to rim run and get a layup. If they don’t get a transition layup, they fill one of the two dunker spots and stay on that side for the duration of the possession. The rim runner then fills the dunker spot and plays for dump-off passes on drives and rebounds.”"
Tobias Harris can fill any space on the floor and do so effectively. Harris is the glue to this team being the buoy that tends to keep this team afloat when having to play with the second unit. This offensive scheme will allow Harris to use his athleticism and scoring ability to its max and have a great bounce-back season.
You can also count on Harris to play 70+ games a year when two of your current superstars are injury-riddled. Harden has been dealing with his hamstring injury since last season while Joel Embiid seems to get some sort of freak injury in or right before the playoffs.
Look for Tobias to continue being a leader for this team and excel under Nick Nurse this upcoming season. If there was ever a Sixer to embody what it means to be an athlete in Philadelphia through giving back to the community and putting in work consistently, you could look no further than to Tobias Harris.
