Pistons fans experiencing Tobias Harris rollercoaster is comedy gold for 76ers fans

The Philadelphia 76ers revamped their roster in the offseason. They signed Paul George in free agency and brought in veteran depth around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. It has not been the ideal start as the Sixers deal with injuries, but there is belief this team can compete for a championship when healthy.

The retool meant letting Tobias Harris go. The 6’8 forward spent five and a half seasons with the franchise. Philly overpaid for him in a trade with the Clippers in 2019 and vastly overspent to keep him in free agency. Signing Harris meant letting Jimmy Butler walk in a disastrous offseason for the franchise. Harris returned to Detroit on a two-year deal worth $52 million this summer.

Pistons fans are already struggling with the Harris experience, which has brought some joy and painful memories back for the Sixers faithful.

Pistons fans living through the Tobias Harris experience is déjà vu for 76ers fans

Detroit supporters are already done with Harris after four games. He is averaging 10.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 block in 34.0 minutes per game, but it is the return of the issues that plagued him in Philly. There are wild shots, ball-stopping, and bad defense. Pistons fans want him benched or off the roster entirely.

His stint with the 76ers was filled with head-scratching moments and heart-breaking performances. It ended with Harris going scoreless in 29.3 minutes in Game 6 of last season’s playoff series against the Knicks. The veteran averaged just 9.0 points per game in the series when Philadelphia needed him to step up with Joel Embiid at less than 100 percent.

It won’t get better Pistons fans. Tobias Harris will have a couple of 30-point games when he gets hot, but there will be plenty more to desire on nights when he isn’t. The 32-year-old spent parts of three other seasons in Detroit, so the Pistons knew what they were buying. His stats will improve, but Harris won't lead the franchise back to the playoffs.

Harris will provide some needed floor spacing and scoring in the Motor City. It comes with frustrating moments and wanting more as Sixers fans know. Pistons have gotten the worst of the experience so far, and it will be a rollercoaster ride all season. The highs won’t be enough to justify his contract, and the lows will hurt. It is all part of the Tobias Harris experience.

Philadelphia 76ers fans will be watching closely because they know the heartache. His maddening play won’t stop, but hopefully, it helps the Pistons exit a rebuild and begin the path to returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Detroit fans should still have hope, but Sixers supporters know how this movie ends.