Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris is one of the more mild-mannered guys in the league. He is somebody who handles himself well off the floor as well as somebody who carries himself as a professional while on it.
However, some frustrations began to boil over on Monday in the team’s home win over the Houston Rockets.
Harris had a rough night shooting the ball and he drew the ire of the Philadelphia fan base. The boos began to rain down on him and he motioned his hands as if to egg them on in terms of wanting to be bood more.
“It was obviously frustration,” said Harris after the team’s win over the Orlando Magic. “I understand our fan base boos at times. They also cheer for us louder than anybody. I don’t want anybody to get it twisted, I love our fan base, and the excitement coming into the Wells Fargo arena. They are our 6th man in helping us.”
Harris also has a max contract so, at the point of the praise for when he does play well, there is also obviously criticism thrown his way when the time calls for it. Philadelphia is a town that will let athletes know when they are not playing up to their standards.
“I also know that with praise, you also have to be willing to take criticism as well,” Harris continued. “At that point, I was completely frustrated for sure, and it was just one of those things. Obviously, something that I learned from it is keep it cool all the way around and be who I am.”
Harris’ shooting numbers have been down across the board. He entered Wednesday’s contest in Orlando shooting below 30% from deep and the Sixers need him to be able to shoot a high percentage on those shots.
“I’ve had a, what you can call it, an up and down year for myself thus far, but I don’t think anybody in that arena is harder on me than I am on myself,” Harris continued. “I understand that and I want to play the greatest basketball I can play. That’s me as a competitor, person, whatever it is. I work my ass off daily to get to that point and I’m always empowering myself to think positive and push on, and I will get to the point where I am playing the type of basketball that I’m comfortable with.”
In Wednesday’s win, Harris scored 22 points on 9-for-19 shooting and he knocked down three triples. It was a good step for him in the right direction.
“Tonight was a good step in that direction and that’s what it’s about,” Harris finished. “Everybody goes through rough patches in their careers as well. For me, I look at it like when I get up out of this, it’s gonna be a good story to tell other people of resilience and just fighting through and finding your rhythm and balance all the way around.”
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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