Compare and Smile
In March 2017, Saric is averaging 19.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 31.8 minutes of playing time. For a rookie power forward, those are incredible numbers. Lakers second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft Brandon Ingram is averaging just 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 35.4 minutes per game over the same time period.
Blue Man Hoop
Even D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers headliner, is only averaging 18.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 31.0 minutes.
In summary, Dario Saric may not have wow’d scouts nor pundits. He may not have silenced the trolls or critics. But he has connected to the fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, to his teammates, and to the coaching staff. Most of all, he has emerged as one of the team’s leaders as the season winds down.
Bottom line? He steps up. He likely will not put up league leading points scored, nor top rebounder awards. But he does so much of everything that he is a clear component to that championship roster of tomorrow.
Every championship team needs a clutch guy. That player who you can go to when it’s all on the line. The Philadelphia 76ers needed such a player.
As players dropped to injuries, or were shipped off in trades, the options decreased. But the Philadelphia 76ers only needed one player, Dario Saric
Next: Dario Saric is Strong Both Mentally and Physically
Dario Saric, as he always does, stepped up.