The Sixer Sense
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Dario Saric Can Ball In Philly

By Bret Stuter

Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) reacts after he made a shot in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) reacts after he made a shot in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Orlando Magic 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Scouting reports measure physical characteristics. But Dario Saric is an exception to that rule. He doesn’t jump out as a physical dominating player. But he can ball, and he’s balling for the Philadelphia 76ers

Dario Saric waited two years to come to the NBA. Philadelphia 76ers fans lived each second of that wait being told he would never come.

Eventually he did come. But even then Philadelphia 76ers fans had to endure a new trolling strategy. Many began to discount the team’s arriving power forward Dario Saric after the team selected point forward Ben Simmons in the NBA Draft. But Dario Saric arrived, Ben Simmons fell to injury, and it was Saric who joined Joel Embiid as the cornerstones to the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild this season.

Streaky Start

He began the season somewhat “streaky”.  That inconsistency persuaded the team to bring in a veteran Ersan Ilyasova to absorb minutes while Saric adjusted to the USA, the NBA, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

The awkward adjustment period appears to be over.

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To be honest, Dario Saric has not had much limelight, glitz, or glamour associated with his arrival, his production, nor his style in the NBA so far.  But that suits him just fine.  He is the poster child of blue collar basketball in a blue collar town.

Surging Saric

And he is rapidly ascending in terms of fit, comfort, and production.  Speaking of production:

Philadelphia is not a very warm city for players who talk and do not produce. The city loves players who produce and minimize their talk.  Dario Saric did not boast when he arrived to the NBA.  He arrived and said all the right things for a rookie.

His first month’s average was 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 14.3 percent from three-point range on 27 minutes per game.  His latest month is 17 points, 7.9 rebounds 25 percent from three-point range, plus 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals on 30.1 minutes per game.

He had bad streaks, followed by very encouraging streaks. He’s very competitive, and each temporary setback makes him all the more determined to compete in the next game.

Saric Smiles Too

And yet, he remains all business on the basketball court, but laid back and fun off court.   It’s clear that Saric is among friends when the final buzzer sounds, and Joel Embiid is the perfect comic relief to his straight man interview.

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Golden State Warriors: 1 aspect for every player to improve upon – Dario Saric
Golden State Warriors: 1 aspect for every player to improve upon – Dario Saric /

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    • In terms of Rookie Of the Year (ROY), he is trailing only one player, teammate Joel Embiid.  With Embiid sitting, and Saric surging, that gap closes all the time.  And it shows the wisdom of duplication of players and talents.  Saric is similar to Simmons.  Okafor was drafted as Embiid was out.

    Blue Collar Style

    These Philadelphia 76ers are playing tough right now. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jerryd Bayless are out.  With their backs against the wall, outmanned  again, this team is finding ways to compete.  While this is definitely a team this season, you can thank Dario Saric for balling in Philly.

    A blue collar family sent their blue collar son to play blue collar style in a blue collar city. Back in the critical period of Dario Saric’s decision to stay or come to the USA, I wrote a thank you to the Saric family. Now that he’s here, that thank you carries even more meaning.

    "Hvala vam Pedrag i Veselinki Šarića , za dar svoje ljubavi prema košarci i čast svoje odanosti svom sinu Dario , a do grada Philadelphije.Mi smo srodne duše , odvojene od mnogih milja ali su se u našoj ljubavi prema igri.Mi ćemo razveseliti svog sina kao mnoštvo jednom vas navijali . To je naša nada, da je naš san o NBA prvenstva može se dovesti u Philadelphiju , a za Šarića kuće, po poklonima koje ste dali svome sinu .(Translation: Thank you Pedrag and Veselinki Saric, for the gift of your love of basketball, and the honor of your devotion, to your son Dario, and to the city of Philadelphia.We are kindred spirits, separated by many miles but joined in our love for the game.We will cheer your son as the crowds once cheered you. It is our hope, that our dream of an NBA Championship can be brought to Philadelphia, and to the Saric home, by the gifts you have given to your son.)"

    The Saric family knows basketball. By the way Dario Saric is playing right now, it’s clear that Dario Saric does too.  That’s good.  Philadelphia 76ers fans know basketball as well.

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    It’s nice when everyone is on the same page.