Los Angeles Clippers: Tobias Harris can be an all-star

The Los Angeles Clippers were without an all-star last season and many think will be without one again this year, that is, unless Tobias Harris makes the jump.

The Los Angeles Clippers probably should have had an all-star last season.

Lou Williams tore up the league right before the All-Star Break and looked like one of the most talented players in the league. However, Williams was kept out of the All-Star Game festivities, likely because he was coming off the bench for the Clippers.

I guess that sentiment makes sense, it is hard to give an all-star spot to someone that does not even start. However, Williams comes off the bench by design and to see him miss out likely because of that is a shame.

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The same problem is going to plague Williams this season so it is safe to say that he is not going to make a run at the All-Star Game. However, the Los Angeles Clippers do have another player that could represent the team in Charlotte.

Tobias Harris was acquired by the Clippers in the deal that sent Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons. Following the deal, Harris was at least as good as Griffin and proved to be a fair trade-off (and then some) for LA.

Harris averaged 19.3 points 6.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists following the trade. Meanwhile, Griffin averaged 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game with Detroit.

Griffin was a slightly better scorer and rebounder and put up better passing numbers but the difference was not as stark as some may have expected. Not only did Harris play up to the level of an all-star in Griffin, but he also showed he could be an all-star as early as this season.

Harris is the perfect stretch forward in today’s game. While he does not have the ball distribution skills of the young forwards that are coming through the ranks, he has the scoring stroke to be an elite scorer in the league.

Harris has a smooth stroke that makes him efficient from both beyond the arc and inside the three-point line. He is great at coming off of screens as an off-ball scorer and can spot up with his size and length.

That will carry Harris to the All-Star Game. While he will still help in the rebounding and assists department and will give the Clippers good defending, it will be his scoring that begins to shine the spotlight on him.

Harris is going to be the first scoring option this season and will be even more efficient in a contract year. Harris does not have to deal with a plethora of guys like the guards on the team and is going to be on the court more than any other guy.

With a mix of younger guys and secondary players, Harris will be the leader on the court for most of the game. His career is right in the sweet zone to have a break out year and he is in the perfect situation to do so.

By the time the 2018-2019 NBA season ends, we very well could be looking at Tobias Harris in the same way we view Victor Oladipo; a promising, talented young player that finally reached that star status.