76ERS HC NICK NURSE SOUNDS FINISHED WITH AT LEAST ONE STARTER
The Philadelphia 76ers will need much more from the team's supporting cast, including starter Tobias Harris if they don't want to fall behind the New York Knicks 2-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series. However, Harris' shots at redemption may be running short.
When explicitly asked on Sunday about Harris' contributions, or lack thereof, a flustered Nurse said he needed to "get more involved." To be fair, Nurse also included power forward Nicolas Batum and shooting guards Kelly Oubre and Buddy Hield among the players that needed to step up. However, out of the bunch, Harris is the only starter who's consistently failed to earn that spot.
Since being acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019, Harris has started all 378 games he's played with the 76ers, making an average salary of $36M per year, all while posting just 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game.
In Game 1 against the Knicks on Saturday, it was more of the same from Harris, who was virtually a non-factor. The 31-year-old finished with only seven points, shooting 3-of-7 from the field and 1-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Harris did grab a team-high nine rebounds, but all were on the defensive boards. Meanwhile, he recorded as many turnovers (two) as assists (two).
A 12-year veteran and a fringe All-Star at some points in his career, Harris is far from the worst player in the NBA. However, he's held the 76ers down financially and on the court for far too long. But, scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the year, it's likely his time in Philly has come to an end.
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