After a breakout game against the Indiana Pacers, Dario Saric needs to keep the momentum going for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Dario Saric has been bad, bordering on unplayable for most of the 2018-19 NBA season. That narrative shifted slightly Wednesday night, with The Homie posting 18 points on 4/6 three-point shooting in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ road win over the Indiana Pacers.
It wasn’t all positive — his defense, finishing and turnovers left some to be desired — but it was a major step in the right direction for one of the Sixers’ most important young pieces. Given the Sixers’ offensive struggles early on, Saric needs to maintain that shooting success moving forward.
Through 12 games, Joel Embiid has been the Sixers’ only consistent entity. J.J. Redick and Ben Simmons are producing, but the roster as a whole has struggled to keep pace with Embiid’s brilliance.
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Saric’s struggles have contributed to their uneven start, as he entered the Pacers game shooting just 23.4 percent from deep on the season. His leap in production last season was facilitated by a 39.3 percent clip from three-point range. He needs to get closer to that mark to benefit the Sixers on a regular basis.
At this point, there are valid questions about Saric’s long-term fit with the Sixers. His archetype, besides shooting, doesn’t really fit the rotation. Whether or not he can contribute, in a starting capacity, against title contenders is another concern.
At 6-foot-10, Saric lacks high-level athleticism, leaving him prone to mismatches on defense. He’s beatable in the post, even worse on the perimeter, and doesn’t have a ton of great matchups league-wide. He’s someone opposing teams attack relentlessly.
That’s why his shooting is so important. When he isn’t opening up the floor and scoring next to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, he’s a largely negative player. His other best traits — post scoring and passing — are limited due to the other personnel on the court.
He needs to hit threes at a high clip.
Given his penchant for slow starts in the past, it’s not time to panic with Saric (especially after a good outing). He was a useful player last season, earning top-60 grades from most outlets over the summer. He’s also 24, giving Brett Brown reason to stick with him in rough patches.
Saric also brings a certain energy to the floor, something that’s elevated when shots are falling. He crashes the glass, dives for loose balls and comes up with momentum-swinging plays. He’s a different player when things are going right. It’s just about relocating that rhythm from last season.
He’ll have an opportunity to continue his success from the Pacers game tonight at 7 PM E.T. against the Hornets. Also, the City jerseys will make their debut. That’s fun.