Tobias Harris has tough outing against Nets but is stepping up his game
Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris looks on against the Brooklyn Nets in the second half of an NBA game at Barclays Center on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Absolutely, Tobias Harris was excited to be back home, playing in front of his mom and dad, his brothers and sisters, his former coach and a couple of buddies from his old high school, Half Hollow Hills West. But you'd never have known it by looking at him.
"He's very focused," Harris' coach with the Orlando Magic, Jacque Vaughn, said of the starting small forward. "He knows when he comes -- whether it's to New York, or Toronto in a few days -- it's about business and getting his job done. He is definitely one of the more professional individuals I've been around."
Harris, who grew up in Dix Hills, was in Brooklyn Sunday as the Magic visited the Nets at Barclays Center. Unfortunately for Harris and the 10 family members and friends he had in attendance, the Magic lost, 104-96, and Harris was held to 11 points, 4-for-13 shooting and three rebounds in 35:22.
"It was a tough game for us," he said. "I would've liked to come out with a win, but it just didn't go that way."
Known for his all-business attitude, the 22-year-old Harris wasn't about to dwell on the loss, however. He already was beginning to think about the Magic's next game, Tuesday night against the Raptors.
"It's another game for us and we'll get it going," he said. "We gotta try to get a win there."
Harris also will be looking to bounce back personally. After averaging 14.6 points and 7.0 rebounds last season, the fourth-year pro has appeared ready to reach an even higher level this season. The 6-9 forward entered Sunday's game as the Magic's leading scorer and was averaging 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game.
"I feel like I've put in a lot of time and a lot of hard work into the game I love and I feel like it's only right that I go out there and show what I've been working on and how my game is evolving," Harris said. "I think, being in my fourth year, I'm more mature now. I know the game a lot more and I've been able to do the things that I've been working on."
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