Fansided

Dario Saric runs the break and threads the needle with a slick pass (Video)

By Joshua Sadlock

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric (9) in action against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Philadelphia 76ers forward Dario Saric has only a few more games to make his case for NBA Rookie of the Year, and he’s still dropping sweet dimes.

For Dario Saric and the Sixers, the 2016-17 season has been effectively over for the better part of three months. After Joel Embiid went down with a season-ending knee injury, Philadelphia should have folded up its tent and gotten to work counting ping-pong balls in this year’s lottery.

Saric, however, had other ideas, taking his play to another level and keeping the Sixers very competitive even without their best player.

On Saturday night, the Sixers are taking on the Milwaukee Bucks, and Saric is continuing to do it all. The rookie from Croatia has proven to be a surprisingly deft passer, and his talents on the break were on full display in the second quarter.

Saric has shown an ability to run the break like a point guard all year. He’s made no-look bounce passes like this one to Richaun Holmes, thrown lobs, and found cutting big men. The 6’10” power forward has a special court vision and his motor never stops running. His competitive drive has already made the rookie a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

In the second half, Saric emerged as a leader for the Sixers, picking up the slack after Embiid hit the shelf. After the All-Star Game, he is averaging 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His field-goal percentage has climbed from 39.7 percent to 43.4 as he gets comfortable in the NBA. If Saric can ever develop a 3-point shot, he could be a truly transcendent player in the NBA.

Next: 25 best tweets of the NBA season

With the Sixers limping to the final game of the season, Saric is beginning to see his minutes gradually restricted. He is still a strong contender for the NBA Rookie of the Year, along with Embiid and Malcolm Brogdon of the Bucks. Regardless of who wins the award, the Sixers have to be excited about the possibility of Saric running the secondary break next year alongside Embiid and Ben Simmons.