Dario Saric deserves discussion as champion caliber component

Saric play got Simmons PG look

Had Saric struggled at the four, Simmons may have started the 2017-2018 season as the point forward. But it turned out that the Philadelphia 76ers coaches like Saric at the four and Simmons at the one. Early in the season, the team began to play the pair simultaneously.   Surprisingly, that pairing works for all the wrong reasons.

Simmons is a ball handler whose game is the inverse of that huge size. He works the boards, makes incredible drives, and cuts to the basket well. Saric is the same size, but he can set up at the perimeter and let fly. And with Simmons cutting to the basket, passing out to Saric at the arc becomes awfully effective.

Saric simulates Simmons

And unique. Simmons is a genius with the ball in his hands. Saric is Mister Dependable. Together they make a great version of Yin and Yang. While the duo and compliment one another on the court, Saric can emulate Simmons when Simmons rests on the bench. That level of versatility is as rare as a 6-foot-10 point guard. And as the team starts to parse players into “must sign”, “sign at right price”, or “don’t sign” categories, it’s important to acknowledge that unique value Saric brings to the Philadelphia 76ers.

But there are questions about Saric’s ability to remain an NBA starter. While Saric has rapidly improved his offense, the defense continues to lag, particularly when switching off and attempting to defend fast twitchy guards. Either he gives them too much cushion to defend driving to the basket. Or he closes in too far, and they scoot past him for easy layups.  The team may have a fix in the works as Markelle Fultz starts to play. Still, the team could demote Saric to the bench in hopes that he can lead the team’s bench offense as a premier sixth-man.