Dario Saric deserves discussion as champion caliber component

Don’t off his offense

But whatever the team may consider, it must do so slowly. The impact of Dario Saric on the scoreboard should not be ignored. He is averaging over 16 points a game, and his three-point shot is nearly at 50 percent in recent months. That’s not the kind of offense you bench, even less likely on the stretch run for the first playoff appearance in five years.

Saric, just like Embiid, Simmons and Fultz, is still so very new in the NBA. This is just his second season.  With his cool calm and collected demeanor, he is easily confused with an eight-year veteran. So it should not come to anyone’s surprise just how well he’s improved from just one year ago. Not only is he improving raw numbers, but his accuracy is substantially improved as well.  He is a significant contributor to this team, and his upside is vast. After all, how high can a player in his second year improve his game?

Next: Belinelli, McConnell will be huge in determining Sixers’ playoff success

Huge play in huge moments

Some players just play bigger in huge game situations. Dario Saric is one such player. If the game is on the line and only one Philadelphia 76ers player can make that winning play, I’m good if that is Saric. He showed up huge in the Olympics. He showed up huge to close out the season last year. It’s who he is and who he will always be.  He plays basketball hard.

And that’s the way Philly wants basketball to be played.  In the end, a guy who works hard, improves, and doesn’t live for the spotlight will tug at Philadelphia fans heartstrings. After all, this is a blue collar city and they appreciate hard effort most of all. So yes, Dario Saric deserves to be included in any discussions about an NBA Championship in Philadelphia. After all, he’s the most likely player to sink the winning shot.