Dario Saric Adjusting to Life in U.S. – Actually Enjoys Philly Traffic

Ever get frustrated by Philadelphia traffic?

Spent time stuck on the Schuylkill?

Dario Saric doesn’t mind it.

The Sixers' rookie is getting adjusted to life in the United States. He has been finding both pleasant surprises and challenges along the way. 

Saric, who grew up in Croatia, moved to Philadelphia after playing the last two years in Istanbul for Anadolu Efes. After maneuvering through the largest city in Turkey, Saric is not fazed getting around to the Wells Fargo Center or training complex in Camden, New Jersey.

“So much traffic,” Saric said of Istanbul. “If you need some place that’s like 10 minutes, you need like 45, one hour.”

Commute, check. But what about getting settled in his new home? The 22-year-old ran into obstacles when he found out not all apartments come furnished, which was common in his previous residences. 

“It’s hard,” Saric said. “It’s totally different. Like apartments without furniture, have to rent the furniture or buy furniture. Go in some shops to buy sometimes is hard. But it’s part of the normal human life. But in Europe, you’ve got furniture, you’ve got everything immediately in your apartment. It takes me a lot of time.”

Saric has found a place to live and his focus is set on basketball. His daily routine is varied from Europe. Saric was used to practicing twice a day, including one session at night. 

“Organization is another level than what is in EuroLeague,” he said. “We have hard practice at night [in Europe]. But here is one practice in the morning that one is always harder because it’s one.” 

Plus, the morning practices help to avoid rush hour traffic.