Other than being an NBA champion, being named an All-Star is one of the highest accomplishments a player can have in his NBA career. For Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris, if he continues his recent play, then he certainly is making a case to make his first appearance in February.
After scoring 31 points in a 116-109 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Harris continued his strong play as he has now scored 20+ points in seven of the past eight games. That kind of play deserves All-Star consideration.
“You don’t need much more ammunition,” said coach Brett Brown. “He’s been so steady and responsible and reliable, a go-to guy, and I put him in a bunch of different spots. Middle pick-and-roll, iso, three-ball, he’s making his free throws, that back down pound-pound game. He’s having a hell of a year.”
Harris, who has worked on many different facets of his game to become a more complete player, mentioned that the All-Star game is a goal of his and he will have competition in the East with the emergence of players like Pascal Siakam and others. He believes he should have been one already.
“I’d love to be an All-Star, it’s a goal of mine as a player, I thought last year I was an All-Star at the beginning of the season,” Harris said. “It didn’t happen that way, but I think each and every night, I want to play at my best every single night to help us win games. I know when I’m aggressive and I’m getting things in the flow, I’m a very hard player to guard. I’m on this team to score the basketball and play at that level every single night.”
Tobias Harris believes he’s an All-Star. He said it’s a goal of his. #Sixers pic.twitter.com/HEmsdD6ce6
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 14, 2019
The Sixers gave Harris a $180 million max contract in the offseason and his play has certainly been rewarding for the franchise. He has continued to develop and morph into the team’s go-to offensive guy and his play continues to catch the eye of his teammates.
“He’s playing tremendously,” said Ben Simmons. “Both offensively and defensively, both sides of the floor, so he’s doing a great job.”
Harris and the Sixers now take a turn to Brooklyn to take on the Nets on Sunday where he will look to continue his strong play. [lawrence-related id=21272,21261,21254]