Dario Saric Punctuates Philadelphia 76ers Fierce Competitiveness

Feb 9, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) celibates with guard Nik Stauskas (11) and forward Robert Covington (33) 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) celibates with guard Nik Stauskas (11) and forward Robert Covington (33) 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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No Closer

The Philadelphia 76ers of seasons ago found ways to get games close. Oh so close. Invariably the game got away at the end.  Whether the teams own shooters got cold, or the opponents suddenly got hot, the ending was so predictable.

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Opponent’s wings had career nights when facing the Philadelphia 76ers. In fact, it was that stretch that called the team to target wing defenders in free agency. But the team did not land a top dollar free agent.

Home Grown Attitude

Brett Brown grew his own. In fact, he was growing them a year ago as he worked with both Robert Covington and Nik Stauskas.  But the development of Covington is not the entire story. Covington sits eventually. Who picks up the other minutes?  Well, the team did land a very good free agent defender in Gerald Henderson. But the most significant surge has been the ferociousness of “3 and D” specialist Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

When you think of closer, the first image that springs to mind is sinking a game winning shot. But in Philadelphia, the true emotional eruption spews when the team shuts down the opponent’s top scorers.  Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers are building a roster in that image of “closer”

And that leads us to the next step.