The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers 2017-18 season report cards

By Rusty Gorelick

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2014 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during game against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 7: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during game against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dario Saric

Season stats: 14.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, 45.3% FG, 39.3% 3PT, 86% FT

Grade: B+

Super Dario improved immensely this season. He raised his three-point percentage by more than eight percentage points, went from posting a -2.2 BPM last season to a solid mark of 1.4 in the 2017-18 campaign. He also contributed 6.6 win shares, which matches J.J. Redick’s mark and sits only behind Ben Simmons in that category.

Dario grew into a role resembling that of Klay Thompson: both are two of the most talented players on their teams, yet their star teammates overshadow them, but they can go unconscious for 48 minutes on any given night and win the game for their team almost singlehandedly. For instance, he hung 25 points and 10 boards in a seven-point win over the Jazz without Embiid.

Furthermore, the Croatian Sensation had arguably the best playoff performances of anyone else on the team. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.3 boards, and 3.5 assists and had five 20-point outings in the team’s 10 playoff games. He did have his fair share of sub-20 percent shooting nights throughout the year.

In just his second season in the league, Saric began to announce himself as one of the top budding European stars in the NBA. If he keeps his development on track, becomes more consistent, and further improves on his outside shooting and floor-spacing ability, he will end up as one of the most coveted under-25 players in the world.