Sixers forward Tobias Harris opens up on his improvements, being a closer
The Philadelphia 76ers are still moving forward and working out the kinks in how they plan to look once the playoffs roll around. Obviously, they will be focusing on a making sure Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are at their best, but Tobias Harris is going to be a big X-factor.
There are multiple noticeable differences in Harris’s game in the 2020-21 season compared to the years past, which includes him becoming a knock-down 3-point shooter. He went 3-for-5 from deep in Saturday’s win over the Detroit Pistons and he continues to shoot it well on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
Harris is putting up numbers similar to the success he had under Doc Rivers with the Los Angeles Clippers. So that begs the question, is this Rivers’ doing? Is this an emphasis on improving as a shooter? Or is it just him finding a rhythm?
“It’s an accumulation of all three of those,” said Harris. “For me, to get myself balanced and open to make those threes. We have a lot of space out there on the floor, so we know as a team once we get the extra pass for a great shot that’s what we want, night in and night out. Getting those looks, but then also knocking them down and having the confidence to make them.”
In the 2019-20 season, there was too much pressure on Harris to fulfill too many roles. He was asked to be their sharpshooter to space the floor, but he was also being asked to be their go-to guy from the perimeter. That can be too much to handle, and it can force a guy to do more than he should.
Now, it’s much different.
“The big difference is now they’re beginning to come into a rhythm,” Harris added. “For me, I’ve always said a player that flows in rhythm, so if the ball is moving, and we’re moving, I’m going to be successful. That’s just the nature and the flow of the game and how I work. When those shots come in rhythm, I knock them down.”
One of Harris’ 3-pointers on Saturday came in crunch time as Detroit was trying to make one last push. Harris stepped up and knocked down a big 3 to give Philadelphia more breathing room, and it helped the Sixers close the game out.
“Just being able to now find those looks,” he continued. “Obviously, Joel’s gonna have a huge crowd when he gets those looks in the fourth, but being able to be reliable to knock down those shots to make the right plays, I think that’s the bigger thing.”
The best part about the shot is that he did not force it. He calmly stepped into an open shot within the team’s offense. That is how Harris can succeed on this team. He can be the third scorer on this team that they need right now.
“Big picture is making the right place in the fourth quarter,” he finished. “Let’s hit the open guy, let’s get the shot that we want, and most importantly defensively let’s get stops. To me, just being able to game after game to progress and know my spots and then also know where I can get the shots off, but to be effective.”
The Sixers will need Harris to continue to grow as the season continues onward. Their next chance will be on Monday in the rematch with the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
