Nov 2, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; LA Clippers forward Tobias Harris (34) shoots over Orlando Magic forward Wesley Iwundu (25) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Clippers have had a major make-over and to the credit of owner Steve Ballmer, Coach Doc Rivers has been allowed to stay and accentuate the rebirth of the program. With that, the chemistry on the team seems impeccably good with forward Tobias Harris as the focal point of the team.
Harris, in his eighth year in the NBA out of Tennessee, has taken over a major leadership role with the Clippers. He has been leading the team in scoring at 21.3 points per game, while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. If those numbers stay the same, they would both be career highs for him in a season.
“You always want to play well in any game,” he said. “It’s always good to hear your name called and hear cheers. It’s good to come out and get victories.”
Coming to the Clippers was a no-brainer for Harris who had previous stays in Milwaukee, Orlando and Detroit. Although he had solid numbers at all three stops, it feels like the role he has in Los Angeles, as he has averaged in the mid-30s in minutes per game, may wind up being a destination stop for him.
“It’s a well-coached team and good guys and good personnel that we have this year and we are just still trying to build our chemistry and build our flow and then just feed off that,” said Harris, who has scored over 20 points multiple times.
Comfort is a key for Harris as well. Rivers and his staff prepare their game plans to get Harris in the best positions, based on matchups, where he can achieve and help the team.
The plan to feature Harris more than at any time in his career was evident when he came over at the beginning of last February in a trade that saw the Clippers pick up him, Avery Bradley and Boban Marjanovic in exchange for Blake Griffin and two other players.
“I wanted to come in and play my game, get into my spots and be able to really space the floor and take opportunities that are presented to me in the flow of the game,” explained Harris.
When Harris played for Bruce Pearl at Tennessee, Pearl took advantage of the 6-9 forward’s elite myriad of skills and played him as a point forward. The augmentation has translated well to the NBA and Harris loves his opportunities when he has the ball on the front.
“I am doing little bit of the point forward type thing,” commented Harris. “That’s a position I played in college and that’s what I like playing. It has worked in a pick-and-roll game and I am just trying to get better.”
As Los Angeles moves forward with Harris at the forefront of the team’s plans, the backcourt of Avery Bradley and Patrick Beverley has become solid, along with Lou Williams’ contributions off the bench. Williams, a journeyman sixth man, is averaging 17.9 points per game while getting 24.2 minutes on the court. The pop off the bench has been a key in LA’s start.
“I think when you gotta guy like Lou coming off the bench and then Trez (Montrezl Harrell) playing with the energy he plays with and Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) playing well at the guard positions, we have one of the best benches in the league, if not the best,” Harris said.
