Orlando Magic Daily
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Tobias Harris’ free agency pitch

By Philip Rossman-Reich

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Tobias Harris, Greg Monroe, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons
Dec 30, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Channing Frye (8), guard Evan Fournier (10) and Tobias Harris (12) defend Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe (10) during the second half at Amway Center. Detroit Pistons defeated the Orlando Magic 109-86. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Defense Issue

So how do you explain Harris’ biggest remaining weakness? His defense.

Draymond Green is probably about to get a max contract, and it will not be for his impact on the offensive end.

Harris is almost certainly a better offensive player than Green at this point. They should be comparable players. But he does not make nearly the impact on the defensive end and he does not work nearly as well without the ball. That is where Harris stands to improve the most.

How do you market a bad defender when it has become so important to the way the league operates and the way a similar player is going to get paid in a major way?

Tobias Harris, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder
Feb 2, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) and Thunder center Steven Adams (12) defends during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The infographic suggests Harris is good at preventing shots are the rim. It says Harris gives up 5.2 shots at the rim per 48 minutes compared to Draymond Green giving up 8.5. It says “Tobias’ offensive opponents average less points at the rim even without the presence of a rim protecting center.”

The numbers though may tell a different story. According to NBA.com, Harris gave up 64.8 percent shooting on shots less than six feet. Opponents shot 54.0 percent at the rim against Harris.

The comparison that is being made here is a bit misleading. Harris played mostly on the perimeter this past season and so defending at the rim was not his particular forte.

Defense is still an area where he needs to improve. There may be no way to explain this away when it comes to Harris.

However, there were positive moments. Harris’ defense, at least to the eye, seemed to get better. Then-coach Jacque Vaughn put a lot of faith in Harris by matching him minute-for-minute against LeBron James in a Dec. 26 game against the Cavaliers. Harris only made the mistake of prodding James too much and getting in his face or he would have had a pretty strong defensive outing against him.

Those singular anecdotes help his case and show potential. Ultimately, because the Magic are so bad defensively, Harris has to continue to prove himself and sell this potential.

Next: What is the right price?