Dario Saric Set to Earn Bigger Role for Sixers With Simmons Out

CAMDEN, N.J. -- Ben Simmons was drafted to be a focal point of the Sixers system. Now that he is sidelined with a foot fracture, his injury will open up playing time for his teammates. One player who is expected to be on the receiving end of that at power forward is Dario Saric.

“I think that’s where my head goes to first, that Dario’s going to have more opportunities, more responsibilities,” Brett Brown said Sunday after practice. “I feel like it’s going to be very fluid. I think that how we rotate this group now has changed.”

Saric came to the NBA in July as a natural power forward. But there is a logjam in the Sixers frontcourt, which would cause him to shift over to small forward. Brown has been experimenting with so many combinations early on, he even paired Simmons and Saric as a two-three combo in camp. 

While Simmons is a unique player being a 6-foot-10 power forward, Brown sees a diverse skillset in Saric as well. 

“The versatility,” Brown said of their similarities. “He too has the ability to rebound and lead a break … Ben could do the same thing. They’re obviously different athletes, but from a versatility perspective offensively and defensively, there are some similarities there.”

Said Saric, “In some ways we are similar players. But he is more faster than me and more stronger. He pushes the ball in a fast way, but I can do those things too. Maybe not the same level, but I can do other things. I can shoot the ball, I can play more five-on-five.” 

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Saric will benefit by being able to play his natural position early on in his career. Transitioning from Europe to the NBA is an adjustment in itself, and shifting positions adds on another challenge. Saric foresees having mismatches when guarding smaller players at the three. Playing the four will afford him his advantages on both ends.

Saric knows his role will change in Simmons’ absence, but he pointed out he does not want to see extra minutes at the cost of an injured teammate. 

“We will miss him for sure,” Saric said. “It’s a big kick for us when you lose that kind of player.”

Brown believes Saric’s lengthy basketball career will help him handle the increased minutes. Saric began playing pro ball at the age of 15, and comes to the NBA at 22 with Olympic, EuroLeague and Turkish League tenures.

“I think Dario will reap the benefits of those very rich basketball experiences,” Brown said.

Saric will use the preseason to get his first taste of the NBA ahead of the regular season opener in late October. He still is learning the ropes of a new leagueand feels confident he will be prepared for the Sixers first game against the Thunder. 

“I am ready like 70 percent, something like that,” Saric said. “Not my form, I am like 100 percent shape. I need for sure more practice, because after the Olympic games I didn’t practice so much. I need for sure 10 more days practicing, games. I think for my first NBA game I will be ready 100 percent with all my abilities.”

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