The Sixer Sense
Fansided

The Homie’s new groove

By Rory Fette

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Dario Saric #9 of the World team poses for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Dario Saric #9 of the World team poses for a portrait prior to the Mountain Dew Kickstart Rising Stars Game during All-Star Friday Night as part of 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at the STAPLES Center on February 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric has embodied “The Process” … No Dario slander allowed here!

Dario Saric is 23 years old ( I think people forget how young he is because he looks like a 45-year-old man). He is in his second year in the league and he is just as important part of “The Process” as Ben Simmons or Joel Embiid.

For some reason, Dario’s improvement this year seems to have been lost in all of process talks. His points, assists, and rebound statistics are relatively similar to what they were last year, but he has been asked to take on a completely new role this year. A role which he has managed to do extremely well in.

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Last year at this time, Dario Saric was the primary playmaker on the Philadelphia 76ers. This year, eh, not so much. However, what Dario does for this current team is just as important as what he did for last year’s team.

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The Jumper

During his (snubbed) Rookie of the Year campaign, he averaged an impressive 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. However his shooting percentages left a little bit to be desired. Dario shot 31 percent from three, 46 percent from two, and 78 percent from the line last year.

This year Dario has shown extreme improvement with his jump shot and the percentages go along with it. Dario is shooting 39 percent from three, 50 percent from two, and 90 percent at the line. Astute 76er fans will also notice that his jump shot has a lot more arc under it this season. All of this is extremely important given the new role he has this year.

Dario’s outside shot needed to improve in order for him to advance with Brett Brown’s new offense. With Simmons and Embiid being the primary ball handlers, Saric ability to stretch out beyond the arc has been key. This has given himself and his teammates a lot more opportunities to score.

Now here is a little game. Raise your hand if you have seen Dario hit a wide open three coming from an Embiid double team. Now raise your other hand if you have seen Embiid score in the post due to the defense respecting Dario’s three-point ability. Both of your hands should be up!!! Without Dario’s improved jump shooting this year, there is no way the 76ers would be in the position they are now.

Rebounding

Dario’s impact on the floor goes beyond the jump shot. His overall toughness and grit add an unique element to the 76ers. Saric is averaging more rebounds per game this year than he did last year. Even with Embiid and Simmons on the floor, you still see Dario aggressively fighting for rebounds.

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This further shows that Dario is adapting well to his new role. He could have easily sat back this year and let the two other big guys do all the rebounding. Instead, he has asserted himself as a valuable rebounder while still not getting in the way of Simmons and Embiid.

Passing

Dario Saric’s court vision is an extremely underrated aspect of his game. Last season Dario did not have a lot of playmakers he could pass the ball too. But this year with some new pieces, Dario’s passing ability has started to come to attention.

On the stat sheet Dario is averaging three assists per game. Now that might not seem spectacular, but keep in mind that Dario is not the main ball handler on his team. In addition, Saric makes a lot of great passes that don’t necessarily give him assists on the stat sheet. Often times this season you will see Dario start a fast break with a good lead pass. Dario’s passing ability adds another dimension to his game.

If he continues to develop this ability he could really become a “Draymond Green-esque” passer.

Dario and “The Process” moving forward

Every time the ball is in Dario’s hands, he is looking to make a play. Lots of young players just seem lost when they have the ball in their hands. That is not the case with Dario. In fact, I really think that the main criticism of him is that sometimes he tries too hard causing him to force plays at times.

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It will be exciting to see him grow and improve on this as he goes forward in the league. Saric is pretty good right now, but he has so much room to grow, and that should get 76er fans excited.