Best Sunday performances in the NBA Playoffs, No. 4: Tobias Harris
Special consideration: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid
Tobias Harris’ performance on Sunday against the Washington Wizards was the epitome of the player he is. Just a super solid, steady scoring for all four quarters, all while playing within himself. Tobias isn’t the best shooter on the floor but he’s good enough. He’s not the fastest guy on the court but he’s still fast. He’s not the tallest guy either but he’s tall enough. Straight across the board he’s rock solid.
Harris is the perfect compliment to the offensively gifted Joel Embiid and the defensively gifted Ben Simmons. Harris can switch on a forward or a guard and he can also give you points offensively.
Normally the third banana on the Sixers talented roster, Harris played like a No. 1 option in Game 1. In the Philadelphia 76ers‘ 125-118 win over the Wizards in game one, Tobias put in 37 points, six rebounds, on 15-29 shooting, and went 5-5 from the free throw line.
It seems that that chip on Harris’ shoulder from not making this year’s NBA All-Star game is still there. If the Sixers are going to have this version of Tobias Harris throughout the playoffs, they’re going to be a tough out. It’s extremely important to have guys play above their regular season average in the playoffs when it matter most. Especially your role players. Granted, Tobias isn’t a role player but he’s also not the best or second best player. We’ll see if him and the Sixers can keep it up.