Tobias Harris, the 76ers shadow soldier

If it is above all under the impetus of the tandem Joel Embiid (31 points and 7 rebounds) – James Harden (21 points and 15 assists) at the top of his game as the 76ers easily disposed of the Kings last night in Philadelphia, the victory was not limited to the two stars of the team.

Indeed, the effort was collective, with second-in-command who all brought their stone to the building of this clear and flawless victory (123-103), the third in a row for Doc Rivers and his men.

Especially Tobias Harrissecond most playing time for his team last night after James Harden, with 34 minutes spent on the floor of the Wells Fargo Center, and above all very profitable with 21 points (9/17 on shots), 7 rebounds and 9 assists .

A complete performance in the shadow of his two teammates, but which reflects a change of perspective recently adopted by the native of New York State.

” It’s the fruit of the development of my reading of the game. In the past, I always had this approach of wanting to score, score and score again. » he thus explained to the Philadelphia Inquirer. ” Now, I am in situations that I approach differently, thinking first of the pass. It completely opens up the field of possibilities. It’s just patience. »

A capacity to adapt at the service of the team

In the figures, we notice that for two years, the former Clippers and Pistons has been less focused on scoring: he was at 19.5 points per game at the end of the 2020/21 season, against 17.1 points since the start. of the 2021/22 season, including the first quarter of the current season.

A timing that corresponds to the arrival of James Harden in the City of Brotherly Love last season, but also to that of the continuous rise in power of Tyrese Maxey for two years, and which demonstrates above all that Tobias Harris has been able to adapt and recalibrate his game in recent months, in a role that is logically less offensive and flashy than in the past, but more “all-around” in order to remain useful to his crew.

Like his average of 1.3 interceptions per game this season, the highest of his career, in a team that has the fourth best defense in the league (109.8 points conceded on 100 possessions).

” He is fully in this role, always focused, both in attack and defense “Also appreciated Joel Embiid, who can count on the stabilizing presence of his “frontcourt” teammate. ” He does not force, plays the right way. By planting shots when needed, and creating opportunities for teammates. »