Tobias Harris suffered a lot of criticism during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. Acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers at the 2019 deadline before then being re-signed to a 5-year $180 million deal, Harris averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 378 games across six seasons in Philadelphia.
Harris had to wear a lot of different hats in Philadelphia. His role changed from being a top option with the Clippers to then being the No. 4 option behind Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Jimmy Butler. Then, he had to be the sharpshooter after JJ Redick departed in the 2019 offseason. Then, he had to be the No. 2 scorer. Then, he had to be the No. 3 scorer and adjust after James Harden arrived. Harris was asked to do a lot and he did it without complaining.
Yet, he received a lot of criticism for coming up small in the playoffs at times. He had some tough moments in the postseason for sure, but overall, Harris was such a key piece to what the Sixers wanted to do and they don’t have the success they do without him. His presence was important as ever.
Former Sixers sharpshooter Georges Niang hopped on “The OGs Show” and defended Harris from the critics in Philly and credited him for helping the Detroit Pistons make a surprise run to the playoffs in 2025:
One of my favorite teammates in Philly had to have been Tobias Harris. I think he took a lot of heat in Philadelphia. Whatever they want to say I think as an overall veteran leader. You talk about sacrificing when James came in, Tyrese (Maxey), Joel, he’d find out a way to make himself effective. He had to continue to connect guys, bring guys together, bring energy, bring life into a youthful organization over there in Detroit. I couldn’t say enough great things about that guy.
Whatever the opinion one wants to have about Harris with the Sixers, it’s obvious that his teammates remember him fondly. He is a professional who just wants to win and be a great teammate and he was just that in Philadelphia while also doing the same thing with the Pistons in his return to Detroit in 2024-25.