The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers: The Croat And The Goat

By Bret Stuter

Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers won 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards 125-119. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards 125-119. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Croat

Dario Saric is a tough young man from Croatia who stands 6-foot-10 and weighs in at 225 pounds. He was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic as the twelfth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Moments later, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for point guard Elfrid Payton. Along with Saric, team president Sam Hinkie also walked away with a pick that would eventually lead to Richaun Holmes, and a restricted first round pick formerly dealt by the Philadelphia 76ers.

Dario Saric is a special type of player.  Family is very important in the Croatian culture, and Saric is the son of Predrag and Vesalinka Šarić.  From father to son, a love of the game, the ability to play, and the honor to make it memorable.  This is the heritage of the greats of the game. Predrag, born in November 29, 1959, is considered a national basketball hero whose shooting is still atop the all time scorers of Košarkaški klub Šibenikand.   And his wife, Veselinka, herself quite experienced in basketball with Sibenik club Elemes, whose career  was shadowed by best European basketball player of her time,  Danira Nakic.

This is the Saric heritage.  This is the family of Dario Saric.  He comes from a family of basketball, a son of two basketball players.  Family ties like that bring out the best in his game.  And for his team?

This was never about the money. It is about destiny. It is about placing the Saric name into the annals of the National Basketball Association to mark the accomplishments of all Sarics.  This is about forging a path from the future back to the past. It’s a lifelong commitment of Dario to the nuances of the game. He’s arrived.