NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
When the season began, the Philadelphia 76ers were seen as a two-man team. There was MVP candidate Joel Embiid on one side and on the other, Tobias Harris. With Ben Simmons refusing to take the floor again as a member of the team, the fate of the 76ers fell on the shoulders of Embiid and Harris. And for the most part, leading up to the NBA trade deadline, Harris and Embiid were doing their jobs.
But then the rumors became reality and Simmons was shipped to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for James Harden and Harris appears to be the odd man out.
On the season, Harris is averaging 17 points and 7 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the floor. Truth be told, he’s put up All-Star numbers while in Philly but never got the nod. So why all the fuss about him lately? Since the trade, Harris has been a non-factor points-wise. In the two games Harden has played with Philly, Harris has scored a total of 19 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists in a total of 64 minutes.
Harris’s name has come up in trade talks before but the whispers are getting louder now. But is it fair?
Depsite his struggles in the last two games, the Philadelphia 76ers are 2-0 and have won 6 of their last 8. As the saying goes, winning can mask all issues. But what Harris is going through is a bit of a learning curve. Before Harden showed up, it was not a two-headed monster keeping Philly near the top of the Eastern Conference.
With Tyrese Maxey growing into his role, Harris has forfeited some opportunities to the young guard. Now, with Harden thrown into the mix, Harris has taken another step back as well. What’s ailing harris is not losing his shiting touch or confidence, it’s him doing what’s best for the team.
If Doc Rivers needs him to shoot 15 times a game, then Harden and company will make sure he gets his shots. As of now, Harris is not called upon. What’s been missing in the stat sheet has been his defense during this run. And how can we forget the fact that’s he’s a +25 in those last two games as well. Now the 76ers have 4 players who can put the ball in the hoop and drop 20+ on any given night. It just so happens that there has not been a need for Harris to step into that realm yet.
Harden is a great contributor. In his first two games with his new team, Harden has dished out 28 assists. Harris has mostly played from the perimeter in those two games but when needed, he can get back to the slashing PF he was before the big trade.
The criticism is coming due to Harris making $36 million per year. But does that matter if the 76ers can walk away as champs this year? Would any fan care if Harris shoots 3-12 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and the 76ers walk away victorious?
There was no way, a team can make that big trade and everything works out perfectly. There were bound to be some growing pains along the way. Just imagine if it was Embiid struggling. But since it’s Harris, he has to go. Not fair at all. A closer look at the stats will reveal how Harris will be able to dominate. With Maxey and Harden controlling the point of attack, Harris is now left wide open on the perimeter.
Before the Harden trade, Harris was a bit reserved from letting it fly from beyond the arc. In the two games since Harden’s arrival, Harris has attempted 11 3’s. While his shooting has not hit that mark, Harris, when he’s hot, can spread the floor more for Maxey, Harden, and Embiid.
Struggles will come. Harris is a vet and he understands this. But for fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, wins are good but having three players reach 20 points in the last two games is not enough. What they want is for Harris to average 20 points just like Maxey, Embiid, and Harden. It’s going to take time. The 76ers have never had this type of firepower in the Embiid-era.
