Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris is one of the team’s leaders in terms of his ability to score in bunches, his ability as a closer, and his leadership off the floor. He is a big part of this team’s success and they will not get to where they want to go without his contributions.
In Friday’s 104-99 Game 6 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Harris had himself a big night scoring 24 points on 9-for-20 shooting and he knocked down two triples to help Philadelphia get the win. It was a big bounce back for him after a dreadful Game 5.
Afterward, coach Doc Rivers explained that he wants Harris playing like Hall of Famer Bernard King, because they are similar players.
“We really showed him a lot of film on the ways to go at guys, quick decisions,” said Rivers. “I thought the last two games, we’ve gotten back into that old, sluggish, hold the ball. Tonight, it was quick. It was attacks downhill. That’s who he is. I keep telling him Bernard King, Bernard King more times I can use that name because that’s who he plays like and that’s what we want him to be.”
King is 6-foot-7 and he used his size and skill in order to get himself free for open looks. Standing at 6-foot-8, Harris is similar in both the size and the skill range. That is what Rivers continues to preach to Harris to get the most out of him and maximize his skills. It is all about using what he has to be able to get open looks for himself and help the team on offense.
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“That’s a great comparison when you’re talking about a player of Bernard King’s stature,” said Harris. “That’s a huge compliment to myself. One of the things that he tells me is really quick decisions, get to your spots, be efficient, just to be a winner.”
Also, King went to Tennessee as Harris did. The two of them have been able to talk before in the past and that is also very beneficial for Harris. Being compared to a guy who had himself a terrific Hall of Fame career is a big compliment for the Sixers forward.
“Being a Volunteer, going to Tennessee, I got to know Bernard really well even when I was getting recruited, getting to know him,” Harris finished. “He’s a great basketball mind and a great player as well. That’s a big compliment.”
Philadelphia will need Harris to keep his aggressiveness and continue to make these quick decisions as they head into Game 7 on Sunday with the Hawks.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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