Tobias Harris Is Rewriting His Contract Narrative
Tobias Harris put together a solid case through the first half of the season to be an All-Star. The Philadelphia 76ers’ forward averaged 20.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, and 3.4 APG while shooting 51% from the field, 40% from 3, and 89% from the line. One could argue he was a snub, but the truth is there is an incredible amount of talent in the NBA. Not making the All-Star team is no knock against Tobias, but a testament to the depth of skill in the league currently.
While the All-Star nod wasn’t needed to validate Harris’s stellar first half, it would have helped in the narrative surrounding his contract. Tobias is the 15th highest-paid player in the league this year after signing a 5-year, $180 million contract before last season. He is the only player making more than $30 million per year to not have made at least one All-Star team.
The contract was roundly critiqued at the time of signing. Jimmy Butler was heading to the Miami Heat, and it seemed the Sixers overspent to ensure they kept one of the players they traded for midway through the 2018-2019 season. Harris did not play poorly last season, but he also did not live up to his contract value. His sub-par performance in the playoffs also hurt the optics (15.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 4.0 APG on 38% shooting and 13% from deep).
Tobi’s play this year has begun to swing the pendulum. Being reunited with Doc Rivers has unlocked a more aggressive Harris on the offensive end, where he is more decisive and confident on offense, especially in big-time moments. This year has seen Harris play some of the best ball of his career.
With Joel Embiid being out for at least the next two weeks, Harris has an opportunity to further build on his impressive start. Tobi is second on the team in scoring behind Embiid, so he will become the #1 option on offense. Ben Simmons has been sensational as of late with the growth of his baby hook in the post. But it will be Harris who needs to carry the load during Embiid’s absence.
The Embiid-less stretch started off swimmingly with Harris pouring in 23 points on 10/18 shooting in a 35-point beat down of the San Antonio Spurs. His encore was even better – 30 points on 11-20 shooting, including 8 of the last 9 Sixer points to seal the win. Two impressive wins, but the real test will come during the next 8 games. After finishing up a homestand with games against the Bucks and Kings, they hit the road for a brutal road trip. The Sixers sandwich a 4-game west coast trip against the Warriors, Lakers, Clippers, and Nuggets between trips to New York and Cleveland.
If Harris can shoulder the offensive burden and help the Sixers go 5-3 or better through the 8-game stretch, it would be monumental. Even if the Nets continue their win streak, Tobias keeping the Sixers within striking distance of Brooklyn for the top spot would be monumental. If he can finish the season strong and put up a good showing in the playoffs, it would hammer home the notion Harris is deserving of every penny.
Photo: Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
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Categorized:Sixers