The Pistons' reliance on Tobias Harris as a secondary scorer has often been labeled a weakness, but he was one of the biggest factors in their Game 7 win. With the franchise's entire future at stake in a pivotal game, the veteran Harris stepped up for 30 points to put the Magic away. Despite all the criticism, Harris has been the Pistons' most consistent performer in the playoffs and kept them alive even when others struggled.
Tobias Harris has come through time and time again
It was a hard-fought series for the Pistons that often demanded a lot from Harris. But down the stretch, he was individually great. Not only did Harris score 30 in the decisive game, but he also had at least 20 in each of the prior 3 games. In a series where points were at a premium, Harris gave his team a much-needed boost alongside superstar Cade Cunningham.
Harris' play style is actually perfect for the Pistons' playoff matchups. With the incredible defenses of Detroit and Orlando, the games in this series often looked like games from the early 2000s, down to the physicality and low scores. But Harris is comfortable in that environment; he's at his best when he's bumping in the post for mid-range buckets and fighting for rebounds.
Even though Harris might not be a secondary creator that uplifts the entire team's offense, his ability to hit tough shots is still incredibly valuable. For the young Pistons, "Uncle T" has become a safety blanket capable of getting to his spot no matter what the defense throws at them. If their first couple actions don't work, they can always dump it into him for a solid 1-on-1 shot.
Harris silenced his biggest critics in Game 7
Prior to Game 7, Harris was already averaging 20 points per game in the series but shooting notably poorly from 3-point range. This glaring weakness had a major negative impact for the Pistons, who desperately lacked any spacing from shooters. But Harris even turned this trend around in Game 7, going 5-of-7 from three.
Harris gave the Pistons invaluable experience in a pressure-packed Game 7. For most of the team's rotation, this was their first career Game 7; it was the fourth for Harris. He took it upon himself to not only score points when needed but also step up defensively to limit Orlando's Paolo Banchero after a hot start.
The Pistons still have plenty of weaknesses that need to be addressed in future playoff rounds and the offseason, but Harris is not one of them. Sure, it may be better to shift him towards a tertiary role but Harris has not been a weak link in any way this postseason.
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