Tobias Harris is Confident in Sixers’ Potential to Make a Run

One year after the Philadelphia 76ers failed to get out of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the Sixers looked to acquire some notable names ahead of their second-straight postseason run.

First, the Sixers snagged Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Second, they struck a blockbuster deal to land Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers.

That year, the Sixers went down to the wire with the Toronto Raptors before losing Game 7 in the second round. While some members of the team left via trade or signed elsewhere in free agency, Harris stuck around by signing a long-term deal with the Sixers.

The team has changed a lot since that first year Harris was on board. Yet, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the Sixers’ struggles beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Since that infamous Game 7 loss in Toronto during the 2019 playoffs, the Sixers found themselves swept in the first round of the 2020 playoffs against the Boston Celtics. While they took down the Washington Wizards in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, Philadelphia came up short in Game 7 against the Atlanta Hawks in the second round.

Last year, the Sixers swapped stars by sending out Ben Simmons in a deal that landed Philly James Harden. Although the Sixers hoped that move would boost their chances of finally getting over the hump, a second-round exit courtesy of the Miami Heat in 2022 left the Sixers disappointed once again.

How can this year be different? Tobias Harris dished his thoughts on the subject, according to Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire.

“I just think our star talent in James, Joel, Tyrese, we have a lot of depth on our team. A lot of scorers, a lot of guys who can contribute. We’re close. We got to continue to figure it out, but we’ve got the right pieces to make something happen. For us, it’s just figuring it out and rolling with it.”

Philadelphia hopes that some key additions and more time to master the on-court chemistry aspect will help the team figure out how to win beyond the first round this time around.

There is no straightforward answer, unfortunately, and only time will tell whether the Sixers have what it takes to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond or not.

Currently, the Sixers hold a 41-22 record, which sits them in third place in the Eastern Conference. They are four games back from their Saturday night opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks, who place first after surpassing the Boston Celtics earlier this week.

The Sixers are sure to make the playoffs this year. It remains to be seen whether they are serious title threats in the East or not.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.