Los Angeles Clippers: Tobias Harris is making his name known

Tobias Harris emerged as an All-Star caliber forward last season, but few people noticed. This season with the Los Angeles Clippers, all of that may change.

I should be able to say that it’s no secret Tobias Harris is one of the best forwards in the league, but the reality is quite different. Harris emerged as a top-tier combo forward last season, but very few took notice, most likely due to him playing for teams that don’t necessarily garner the most attention.

Harris was sent from the Detroit Pistons to the Los Angeles Clippers last season and managed to record his most impressive statistical year. Not only did he help to lead the injury-ridden Clippers to a winning record alongside Lou Williams, but he also managed to average an impressive 18.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on an extremely efficient 46.0 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Although the 2018-19 NBA season hasn’t technically started yet, Harris is already proving his worth in the preseason and looks to finally establish himself as a known All-Star level talent this year with a solid Clippers team.

The preseason

Although they’ve only played three games and the preseason always needs to be taken with a grain of salt, the added depth of previously injured players and their newly drafted rookies seem to have the Los Angeles Clippers rolling. Tobias Harris is definitely playing a big part in that success.

The Clips have tallied three straight wins by an average margin of 20.7 points. In each of those three games, Harris was a top contributor. In 30 minutes against the Sydney Kings, he tallied a noteworthy 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists while connecting on eight of 14 total shot attempts and making four of his seven 3-point attempts.

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In just 23 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he marked an impressive 23 points, six rebounds and four assists while connecting on seven of 10 total shot attempts and knocking down  a whopping four of fie total 3-point attempts.

In the most recent contest against the Los Angeles Lakers where he saw just 25 minutes of play, Harris managed to record a solid 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists, but he made just six of 16 total shot attempts and connected on just one of his six 3-pointers. While he may not have been efficient, he still had a statistically significant night for the Clippers and managed to contribute in other areas. That’s an important trait to have.

In preseason thus far, Harris’ averages compute to 20.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 26 minutes per game on 54.1 percent shooting from the field and 51.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Of course, the sample size is small ,but the point still remains: Harris has been capable of doing things like this at a high level for a while and very few have noticed. This season may change that all.

The sneakily talented Clippers

Despite a multitude of injuries to key players and the big Blake Griffin trade, the Clippers still managed to win 42 games. With key players like Patrick Beverley, Danilo Gallinari and Avery Bradley back in basketball shape and already making contributions, the Clippers are looking to have a much improved season if health isn’t an issue.

Now that it seems no major trades will be made including any of the established talent currently on the roster, Tobias Harris and Lou Williams are set to show the world their prowess as leaders. Both players are coming off their best statistical seasons and now have close to half a year and a full offseason of experience with each other.

With the addition of a much needed primary playmaker in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the added scoring abilities of Gallinari and Marcin Gortat, and the defensive presence of the now returning Beverley and Bradley, Harris and Williams have pieces around them that suit their games.

Williams is known for his scoring ability, and while he’ll still have the ball in his hands a lot, he’ll no longer need to be the main playmaker and run the offense. Harris is an extremely effective shooter and hit 40.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts last season. Gilgeous-Alexander will have two elite scorers to get the ball to and Harris will have someone to get him the ball in his spots.

Catch-and-shoot situations accounted for the majority of his 3-point attempts last season, but Harris is still capable of creating his own shot. He’s not a traditional power forward, but has a solid handle and feel for attacking the rim or pulling up from the mid-range.

In the video above, Harris puts his full skill-set on display as he hits shots, puts the ball on the floor, and attacks the rim with force for tough finishes. Aside from the defensive end, Harris can do virtually everything on the court at a high level. He’ll look to improve upon that even more this season, and he’s in the right situation to do so.

Potential expectations

The West is extremely competitive and the Clippers may not necessarily make the playoffs, but Harris is on the last season of his contract and will be eligible for a max contract deal at the end of this season after declining the $80 million extension he was offered. Expect him to play well.

Clippers fans know he’s a great player, but they are expecting him to prove he’s worth the big money. Harris has a lot to prove to this season and the lack of recognition he’s gotten throughout the years could be the fuel to his fire.

The West is extremely deep to begin with and a LeBron James addition is now going to take an All-Star slot away. Tobias Harris doesn’t need to make the All-Star game to prove he’s an elite player, however. Expect him to elevate his game this season and, hopefully, grab the attention of the casual NBA fan.