The Sixer Sense
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2 things the Sixers need from Dario Saric this season

By Ethan Piechota

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a play against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Dario Saric #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers goes to the basket against the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Offensive rebounding and hustle plays

Dario Saric is essentially the 6-foot-10 version of T.J. McConnell when it comes to the hustle department of basketball. Saric is always ready to put his body on the line for a loose ball, and though somewhat undersized, is always crashing the boards for rebounds.

Second chance points are a demoralizing stat if you are the team on the wrong side of it, as those second opportunities are often capitalized upon in the NBA. Last year, Dario Saric was second on the Philadelphia 76ers in offensive rebounding, averaging two per game.

Saric was third overall in rebounding on the Sixers as well, pulling down 6.7 boards per game, only behind Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons respectively. However, the box score doesn’t do Saric’s impact justice, as his positioning and tips on the ball opened up plenty of opportunities for Simmons and Embiid last year.

His scrappiness and ruthlessness truly is remarkable, and you can tell his overseas background is a big reason for this.

The 76ers will need more of this rebounding effort from Saric this season, as it is extremely beneficial to the team’s success offensively.

Dario Saric is the living embodiment of Philadelphia sports. His grit and passion for the game are undeniable, and his energy level game-in and game-out is inspiring to his team and the fans. When the game is on the line, there’s a strong chance Saric is putting his body on the line to try and make a play to help his team win the game.

One of the more remarkable plays from all of last season came off a Saric diving effort against the New York Knicks, were he flew from nowhere to poke the ball forward for a wide-open, fast break Ben Simmons jam. The crowd at the always energetic Wells Fargo Center went absolutely nuts after this, and so did Dario.

How can you not love this guy? Did Philadelphia 76ers fans really want him traded for a one year rental? Philadelphia may never get another player like Dario Saric again, and he must be valued as a key part of the 76ers for the remainder of his career.

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As long as Saric is able to knock down the three consistently and stay scrappy on the boards and all over the court, the Philadelphia 76ers are in a good position to battle for a spot in the NBA Finals this year with The Homie in the mix.