Pistons finally find out why the 76ers felt relieved when they let Tobias Harris go

As everyone knows, the Philadelphia 76ers don’t exactly have the best memories of Tobias Harris. After all, the veteran forward was a prime target of ridicule among the fanbase during his time with the franchise. While there were certainly a lot of exaggerated takes about him, there were good reasons why he continually drew the ire of people watching the team.

Now with the Pistons, Harris has become their veteran leader, both on and off the court. Since leaving Philly, he seems to be more at peace in Detroit, although that may no longer be the case in the future given his medicore play so far this season after an otherwise steady season last year.

Aside from missing many games due to injury after being sidelined for 10 of 32 games so far, Harris has not had the impact he did last season. He’s averaging the fewest points per game since his sophomore year in ’13, and his strengths are starting to wane — something the 76ers are all too familiar with.

Pistons are making a Tobias Harris realization that the 76ers know all too well

Harris is shooting the basketball worse on all fronts than last season. His three-point shooting is the worst in 12 years. As if that weren’t enough, his current field goal percentage is his lowest ever.

His rebounding, which was one of his strengths given his frame, has deteriorated a lot. He has the fewest rebounds per game since his rookie season. His defense, which was decent last season, has become a weakness in Detroit’s starting unit.

With the 76ers, Harris’ production tended to fluctuate heavily on a nightly basis, and the same thing is happening now with the Pistons. One night he scores twenty points, but in the next game he scores only one digit. That level of inconsistency, which has been revived this season, is something that has already bothered many of their fans.

Detroit, which is off to a fiery start this season, can hope Harris doesn’t get worse from here. They have lofty goals in the playoffs, and if he somehow repeats his shaky postseason play with the 76ers, they will certainly be in a world of hurt.

The 76ers didn’t feel an ounce of pain when Tobias Harris released them. Now the Pistons are slowly (but surely) getting the idea why that was the case.