Tobias Harris: Sixth Man

Mar 25, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) is congratulated by fans as he comes off the court as the Orlando Magic beat the Portland Trail Blazers 95-85 at Amway Center. Harris had a game-high 25 points. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The value of the sixth man is almost understated in today’s NBA.

Some guys, like Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, offers an explosion of offense- capable of swinging any game he chooses. Other sixth men, like Chicago’s Taj Gibson, offers a different dimension on both sides of the floor. Gibson gives Chicago another valuable post defender, creating a wall near the basket with Joakim Noah.

For Orlando, that man should be fourth year forward Tobias Harris.

Before we continue, we need to look back at why Harris fits this role. The Magic added Aaron Gordon and Channing Frye this offseason, and thanks to an offseason ankle injury to Harris last season, Maurice Harkless was allowed to showcase his ability enough that he could be the starting small forward this upcoming season. Harris’ spot on the roster seems more unclear than it was last season. In fact, if you add his pending RFA status (always a tricky situation) into the mix, Harris seems more like a trade candidate for the Magic.

However, if he’s not traded, his skills have value in Orlando’s rotation. He’s an above-average offensive player, and while he’s not exactly in the Carmelo Anthony phylum, Harris possesses his own mismatch ability. In just three seasons, Harris has shown the ability to score from both mid-range, and around the rim. Again, last season was a bit of a wasted year due to injury, but even then, Harris finished with 41% shooting from mid-range and 68% shooting at the rim.

Thanks to the NBA.com Sports VU data that debuted last season, we can now see where Harris succeeds, as well as where he needs help. For example, Harris is pretty good at attacking. In a 150 attempts, Harris shot 46% on drives last season. His pull up numbers were good as well, shooting 43.6% on pull up last season. The issue? Outside the arc. Harris shot 13% on pull up three-point attempts and 32.1% on catch and shoot three-point attempts.

Harris has been toying with adding a three point shot in his game since his arrival to Orlando. The 2012-2013 campaign saw Harris take a step forward on a small amount of attempts (108), but last season saw a complete step back, as Harris shot poorly from above the break and from the left corner. With Orlando still in need of three-point shooting, Harris developing into a solid three point shooter would be perfect for them, as well as perfect for his game.

Ultimately, what makes Harris the best option for the sixth man role is his defense. In the past, I didn’t like him defending small forwards, but quietly, he’s done well against them in the past, allowing a 10.2 PER and 44.6 eFG% from opposing small forwards last season, via 82games.com. Thanks to a 6-11 wingspan, he’s able to contest opposing big men on jumpers, but he’s slightly overmatched when dealing with bruisers. Combine that with the 53% shooting he allowed at the rim, and Harris is approaching the status of defensive negative.

Even as a tough match on defense, the Magic have the players to hide him. We’ve already discussed Kyle O’Quinn and his value as a defender and rim protector, but Evan Fournier, while not a great defensive wing, can be a pest, and of course, rookie Elfrid Payton should be a strong defensive point guard right away. Orlando has some options to protect Harris on defense, while allowing him to thrive on offense.

Tobias Harris is a good basketball player, but his spot on this current Magic team is the sixth man role. The Magic can use his offense off the bench, as well as rebounding ability. If Harris can properly adjust to that role, and if Orlando can maximize the other positions around him, the Magic will have a chance to improve their win total for next season, and Harris could find himself in the running for the Sixth Man of The Year, as well as in line to receive a nice pay raise.