The Philadelphia 76ers is a team led by talented star duo Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, but there is another player on this starter team that makes a lot of money and is a guy who needs to work hard when time demands it.
That would be Tobias Harris, the highest paid player on the team. He had not produced at the level the team had hoped for in the past and the hope is that with new coach Doc Rivers, he will be able to return to the player who was at the Los Angeles Clippers.
He had a fantastic night on Saturday, scoring 24 points from 9 of 14 shots and knocking down four triples in the 127-112 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at home. He has continued his strong game of late as he has scored more than 20 points in three straight games.
“It’s been great,” said Rivers. “You can see that. I think he made a move and he really scored, which I almost didn’t want him to do with the ISO he had at the end of the game, because that’s what we really don’t want, we like his fast action game. He’s making faster decisions. He knows where the guys are when he goes, so he’s involved in actions where we want him. “
He was working hard on both ends of the court, as he also managed four steals and three blocks on the defensive end. This is an area where he has improved and worked hard during his time in Philadelphia, and this has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“When I see him doing this, it motivates everyone to keep doing his job,” said Simmons, who made his first triple-double of the season. “When Tobias came here defensively, he was not where he is now and he stepped up. Now he’s getting a lot of robberies, he’s putting his hands on the lanes, blocking shots, he’s taken a big leap from last year to now, defensively. “
Harris will be the X-Factor for this team this season. They already know what the two stars are going to bring to the ground, but Harris has to be their third top scorer. He has to be the guy who can intervene and provide on the offensive side to help them thrive.
“On both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, he has been incredible. He’s been an incredible factor for our team and he will be if we want to win a championship. “
The Sixers will host the Hornets again on Monday to complete the two-game series at home.