Tobias Harris Takes Leading Role
The 8-year veteran Tobias Harris has taken quite the leadership role this season with the L.A. Clippers.
In a matter of four regular-season games, Harris has managed to lead each game in points, accrued two consecutive double-doubles and combined for 50 points with teammate Danilo Gallinari.
Harris was the product of a trade from the Detroit Pistons but came off the bench with a few high-scoring games. During his career, coming out of the 2011 NBA Draft, he has averaged 14.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. With the Clippers alone, he has nearly doubled those stats.
Help From A Vet And A Rookie
He hasn’t been alone. Adding Gallinari to the mix has made them an intense duo. During the game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Gallinari added 26 points to Harris’s 26. Although the team suffered a loss, 116-119, their combined skills made a statement.
Although rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been slightly quiet, averaging about 8.5 points, he did manage to add 12 points to help rally over the Rockets and he has been a key addition to the defense.
He continues to shine among his rookie class.
Through four games, opponents have made 31.9 percent of their shots from the field against Gilgeous-Alexander’s monstrous wingspan. In the early season, he is proving himself as a defensive specialist.
The Bench Has Strength
Although the bench led the win over the Rockets, Harris still managed to put up 23 points and 10 rebounds. This performance only boosted his 45.7-percent field goal average.
Montrezl Harrell added 17 points in the fourth quarter alone, while Gilgeous-Alexander’s came in the clutch as well with his 12.
The Clippers are 3-2 after a victory over the Rockets again, in Houston, without James Harden on Friday.
Harden was their toughest opponent, totaling 31 points and 14 assists in their previous match-up, and Melo led the way for the Rockets with 24.
With the combo of Harris and Gallinari, both having scored more than 20 points in three consecutive games, a win led by the bench, and an improving Gilegous-Alexander, and the “always potential 6th Man of the Year, Lou Williams, the Clippers have looked better than expected through five games.