Dario Saric Optimistic About Sixers' Future; Will Play for Croatia National Team

CAMDEN, N.J. -- With the NBA's current climate, not too many players play all 82 games in a season.

The last time a Sixer did it was 2012-13, when Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes both accomplished the feat.

For Rookie-of-the-Year candidate Dario Saric, he wound up just one game short after sitting for game No. 82 on Wednesday night. Saric has been battling plantar fasciitis in his left foot and was on a minutes restriction for four games before sitting out the finale. The team decided it was in his best interest to sit.

"I was a little bit sad," Saric said of sitting out the Sixers' 114-113 loss to the Knicks. "I talked with the medical staff, I talked with the coach about my heel and what's good for me and we decided I would rest that game. I know sometimes it's important to play 82 games but we don't want to press [our luck]. In my opinion, it's better to play 82 games but it's more important to stay healthy and that's the reason we decided that."

Despite his injury and the long season, Saric on Thursday said he still plans to play for Croatia in the FIBA EuroBasket Tournament in September.

He's enjoyed a great deal of success for his home country. He was the MVP of the FIBA Europe Under-16 and Under-18 Tournaments (Croatia won both tournaments). He also starred for Croatia in the Olympics last summer. His game-saving block of Pau Gasol in a win over Spain was one of the highlights of the tournament.

It may be tough for people in the United States to understand because of the country's dominance, but Saric feels a duty to play for his country. It's a great source of pride for the 23-year-old forward.

"It's a little bit different culture," Saric said. "I played for Croatia from when I was a kid. I think it's already nine years. Every summer I play for Croatia -- 16 and under, 17 and under, 18, 19, 20 -- I play everything. That means to me a lot. We have a good team and I will continue to play for my national team for sure."

And after the season he had, Croatia will be glad to have him.

Living on his own in a new country was a big adjustment for Saric. Not to mention adjusting to the athletes and pace of the NBA game.

There were struggles early on, but once Saric got acclimated to the league, his game flourished. After starting the first 10 games of the season shooting below 40 percent from the field, Saric was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Ersan Ilyasova.

Saric's play took a turn for the better in early February and really took off once the Sixers dealt Ilyasova to the Hawks at the trade deadline. After taking his starting spot back, Saric averaged 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his last 25 games.

"It was a nice season. Nice season for all of us," Saric said. "I was really excited before I came here and now I know why I was excited. We did a good job. We had lots of guys who were injured this season. Maybe we would be better if that did not happen but it's part of the sport. That's life and we move forward."

The Sixers are hoping to move forward with a full complement of players. That starts with getting Joel Embiid and No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons healthy.

But with two players with superstar potential, you still need a supporting cast. Saric will be on top of that list along with swingman Robert Covington. You can also throw this year's lottery pick(s) into the mix.

There was some talk of playoffs and high expectations as the players left the team's training facility for the last time this season. Saric's outlook was tempered, but optimistic.

"It's hard," Saric said. "This season [just ended] and it's hard to say what will happen next season. For sure when you put them on paper. You see your season without Ben who was the first pick for a reason. A guy who will have a good future in the NBA who can be one of the superstars of the league. And you have Joel who already showed in his [31] games he'll be a superstar...

"But I don't want to go far and say that'll be this, that'll be this, because injury. If we stay together all season, [I don't see why] we can't reach the playoffs with that team."

Even if he doesn't play all 82 games next season, either.