The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 reasons Dario Saric Is Valuable But Not Untouchable

By Jason Blevins

Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Fans wear shirts in support of Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (not pictured) during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. The Pacers won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Fans wear shirts in support of Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (not pictured) during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. The Pacers won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers power forward Dario Saric. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers power forward Dario Saric. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensively

Dario has a nice touch around the rim. He is unlikely to dunk the ball very often and he does get his shot blocked a bit, but if he can get a clean look within 12 feet he is fairly consistent. The issue with Dario right now is a lack of arc on his three point shot (read here for Sixers offseason assignments). He tends to shoot a flat line drive type long range jumper which leaves little or no margin of error and can make him streaky. He ranked 30th among NBA 3-point shooters as a rookie. This is encouraging and there is no reason to believe he cannot improve to an average NBA shooter from three.

Player

3pfg%

FG%

FT%

PPG

Assist%

TOV%
Dario Saric 31% 41% 78% 12.8 14% 15%
Markeiff Morris 36% 46% 84% 14 8% 12%
Serge Ibaka 39% 48% 86% 14.8 5% 7%
Blake Griffin 34% 49% 76% 21.6 25% 11%
Paul Milsap 31% 44% 77% 18.1 18% 12%
Kevin Love 37% 43% 87% 19 10% 11%
Derrick Favors 30% 49% 61% 9.5 8% 11%
Lamarcus Aldridge 41% 48% 81% 17.3 10% 7%
Anthony Davis 30% 51% 80% 28 11% 9%
Draymond Green 31% 42% 71% 10.2 28% 20%

Draymond Light

Statistically, Dario matches most closely to Draymond Green on offense. This is an interesting comparison because they are both excellent passers and initiators from the power forward position. Being compared to Draymond Green is quite a compliment. Draymond’s assist percentage is much higher, but lets face it, he was playing with much better shooters.

The issue is that Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid desperately need to be surrounded by shooters but they alone will not stretch the floor. In order for Dario to really compliment those two franchise cornerstones, he will have to become at least a league average shooter from 3.