Philadelphia 76ers came back to winning ways against the Sacramento Kings as they beat them 129-105. The 76ers were missing two of their superstars in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons due to injuries.
Despite missing Simmons and Embiid, the rest of Sixers put on a clinical display against Sacramento. Their third star Tobias Harris took cruise control of the game and led the team in scoring as well as in assists.
In the 30 minutes he was on the floor, he scored 29 points, 8 assists and 10 rebounds. Apart from him, Shake Milton also put on a show, adding 28 points to the 76ers.
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Tobias Harris quotes Michael Jordan in post game press conference
This win against the Kings was certainly a big statement by the Sixers. From time and time again, Philly have struggled whenever they are missing either Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid from the lineup.
In the post game press conference, Tobias Harris commented about the team’s win and how he approached the same. There, he used an iconic Michael Jordan quote from ‘the Last Dance’ saying, “I take that stuff personally.”
Tobias Harris: “I take that stuff personally when people say that we can’t win (without Embiid and Simmons) because I know how much talent we have as a group, and I also know how well we play together…We have a culture and a system here that works.” https://t.co/S7cMUoDebj
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 21, 2021
This is not the first time that the 28-year-old has quoted MJ. In a crucial victory against the champions Lakers back in January, Tobias hit the game winner and had even shared a Jordan meme after the same.
https://t.co/RJmMpkEuZv pic.twitter.com/GLM0veDErP
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) January 28, 2021
How has Tobias Harris become the third star for the Philadelphia 76ers
After signing for the 76ers in the 2018-19 season, Harris has proved himself as a great utility player for the team but was never seen as the third star for the team. That clearly hasn’t been the case this season.
The 28-year-old has found a new gear under coach Doc Rivers and is having his best season with the Sixers. In the 37 games he has played, he is averaging 20.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game shooting, 41.1% from the three-point line.
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He has also stepped up when the team lacks their talismanic center, Joel Embiid. In the 10 games he has played without Embiid, he has averaged 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
ALSO READ: ‘Season Could Be in Jeopardy’: Doctor Breaks Down an Injury Scare for Sixers’ Joel Embiid
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In the recent win against the Kings, the 6’8″ forward also showed his all-round ability to lead the team and showcased his underrated passing game as well.
Harris has certainly emerged as someone who can take pressure off of Embiid and Simmons. If he can maintain this superb run of form during the playoffs, the 76ers can truly label him as the third star in their team.