“I’d love to be an All Star. It’s a goal of mine as a player”
-Tobias Harris following Friday night’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans
After Tobias Harris received a $180 million dollar max contract this past offseason, a common criticism of the deal was the fact that Harris had never been selected to an All-Star game. Just 26 games into said new contract, it’s already looking like he’ll change that.
Harris is arguably having the best year of his career. His points per game sits at 19.4 (just 0.6 below his career-high), he has an eFG% of 53%, his assist numbers have hit an all-time best at 3.3, and his 2P% is at an absurd 54.7% (also a career-high).
On top of his impressive *box score stats*, Tobias has been passing the “eye test” this year more so than ever. He oozes confidence on the court, has been fantastic in the clutch (47.1 FG% in the fourth quarter), and is bringing more intensity on the defensive side of things than ever before.
Following Jimmy Butler’s departure this past offseason, one of the 76ers top priorities was establishing a new closer. Harris has taken that vacant title and ran with it. When he takes tough shots late in games, almost every fan is expecting it to go in at this point.
After a rough start to the season, Harris has seemingly found his groove here in December. He’s scored 20+ in seven of his last eight appearances, averaging 24.5 points per game while shooting close to 50% from the field over that stretch. He’s scored 30+ twice and leads the Sixers in double-figure scoring games.
When Sixers head coach Brett Brown was asked about the topic of Harris making his first All-Star game, he expressed his support: “He’s having a hell of a year. You go right to his offense, but I think he’s having a hell of a year defensively”.
It’s still early in this season, but with the Sixers sitting at 20-7 and Harris having the year he’s having, it’s hard not to include him in some premature All-Star game conversations.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
