Dario Saric’s Path to Top Candidate for Rookie of the Year
Due to his performance since February, Philadelphia 76ers Dario Saric has emerged as the clear favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year.
Over the course of the season, Philadelphia 76ers power forward Dario Saric has grown. He has evolved from a player who looked lost with the speed of the game on both sides of the court, to a leader who is expected to lead the Philadelphia 76ers. His speedy transformation sprang from many events throughout the season. Each one presented an opportunity for Saric to grow into a dominant player. Here are some highlights of Dario Saric’s path; the very path that should lead him to Rookie of the Year:
1. Early Opportunities in Close Games
The Sixers played a number of close games early in the season, many of which they lost due to Joel Embiid‘s minutes restriction. But prior to the Ersan Ilyasova trade, Dario Saric saw minutes in crunch time. On October 26th, Saric played too deep into the fourth quarter during a close loss to Oklahoma City. On that occasion, it seemed to me that Jerami Grant (would be traded five days later) deserved those minutes. And maybe he did that night.
But Brett Brown was giving Dario Saric experience. Even when it was painful to watch, it now makes sense.
2. The Trade for Ersan Ilyasova
Even though this temporarily decreased Dario Saric’s role on the team, acquiring Ersan Ilyasova was invaluable.
Not only did Ilyasova provide a template of how to succeed in Brett Brown’s system, but he also acquitted himself as the consummate professional. Starting Ilyasova permitted Saric to watch an effective NBA player with a similar background (beginning in Turkish Basketball League). And so, Saric went from a player who seemed unable to shoot or guard in the NBA, to a player who could come off the bench. He can now stay in front of guards off switches, plus trail in transition and knock down open shots.
He also, with a lesser role, became more aggressive, making key blocks and tracking down loose balls, which earned him more time. His minutes were gifted early in the year. By December, with games like his 21 point, 11 rebound game in a one point loss to the Celtics, Dario Saric was already showing he could shoulder the load when leaned on while Joel Embiid, by design, was forced to sit out the second of back to back games.
3. Joel Embiid’s Season Ending Injury
When Joel Embiid played his final game of the season on January 30th, Dario Saric had not led the team in scoring since early December against the Celtics. He was playing the minutes of a reserve. Most nights he was not even the team’s top reserve, as Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel were getting extended time. In those circumstances, it was most likely in an effort to improve their draft value.
Dario Saric took full advantage of Embiid’s absence, leading the team with 20 points against the San Antonio Spurs on February 8th. After over two months without leading the team in scoring, Saric went on to lead the Sixers four of the next five games, leading up to the February 23rd trade deadline, which allowed the next move (aiding his Rookie of the Year campaign).
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4. The Trade of Ersan Ilyasova (from the Sixers)
Ersan Ilyasova played very well in Brett Brown’s system with starter’s minutes. He was a dependable scoring option, which made him invaluable for the few months he spent with the team, but being a scoring option took opportunities from younger, developing players.
The Sixers’ front office, in a smart move, dealt Ilyasova to the Hawks, a playoff contender, at the deadline.
More Dario Time
This move resulted in six more games in which Dario Saric has led the team in points, along with his fair share of rebounds and assists. For March, Saric is averaging over 19 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game.
With the 2016 draft having shaped up to be a combination of underachieving, slow developing, or injured rookies, March has put Saric in the driver’s seat for Rookie of the Year, with Joel Embiid, the early favorite (and more dominant in his 31 games), endorsing him. Because Saric is having a healthy campaign, it is difficult to argue in favor of Embiid’s short sample set.
5. The McConnell-Saric Connection
This final factor may be the most important in the ascension of Dario Saric to star player during his rookie season.
T.J. McConnell, soon after earning the starting job and watching Joel Embiid go down, hitched his wagon to the 22-year old Croatian. On one hand, McConnell is better at driving and kicking to players, which is opposite former starting point guard Sergio Rodriguez, who likes to find players who attack the basket without the ball.
On the other hand, Rodriguez makes players like Richaun Holmes better; McConnell makes Saric better. As a matter of fact, the two players, because of their complimentary styles, have become a strong offensive tandem. Having McConnell consistently provide him opportunities to be successful has a direct correlation to the production we now witness on a nightly basis. The Sixers’ point guard, subsequently, has proven his talent for recognizing and developing talent. McConnell was working toward helping Embiid win Rookie of the Year, but he has clearly earned an assist for Saric’s potential victory.
Next: Embiid and Saric Co-ROYs?
The Closing Argument
What’s most impressive is that plenty of rookies on losing teams have enjoyed similar opportunities to Dario Saric. On their parts, they have simply failed to perform.
On the contrary, the star for #9 has been on a steady rise. He has transformed from a seemingly unprepared starter in early games, to a productive bench player on a healthy team mid-season. From that, he has transformed further into an undeniable leader and go to player on a depleted, yet competitive team by season’s end.
Considering that the last month of the season should look much the same as the past two months, Dario Saric should be honored as Rookie of the Year.