“We just have to find the right system for him, so that he fits with the other substitutes. Because I'm pretty convinced that he's going to be the “Joker” of the replacement group. »
It is Vlatko Cancar who launches this metaphor about Dario Saric…which Mike Malone is quick to temper.
“There is only one Nikola (Jokic) so I will never say we have a Nikola of the substitutes, unless Nikola plays with the substitutes. As a three-time MVP » thus responds the coachasked about the subject.
However, we can think that Vlatko Cancar was not comparing the pure talent of the two Balkan players, but rather their role, that of creative interior at the head of the racket, around which the whole game can be put in place.
Options that open up…
“I’m so excited to play with Dario. He’s such a talent, so versatile” confirms Aaron Gordon. “He does a lot of things on the field… I don't think you understand the impact he will have on the team. »
Happy to play alongside his friend Nikola Jokic, Dario Saric also moderates comparisons with the latter. As for Mike Malone, he is also very happy to be able to count on him.
“He can play replacement pivot, or replacement strong winger. He can play with Nikola at times. If we play big, we can also play him with DeAndre Jordan. What we like about Dario is that he was a winger, a strong winger then a pivot while evolving in his NBA career, in a substitute, “small ball” role. He's a very talented person. Who can dribble, who can pass, who can shoot. He's bigger than people think. Powerful, physical. I'm really looking forward to exploring all the options Dario gives us. »
Without going so far as to say that these are the same as those that Nikola Jokic offers with the holders, so…
| Dario Saric | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 81 | 26 | 41.1 | 31.1 | 78.2 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 12.8 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 78 | 30 | 45.3 | 39.3 | 86.0 | 2.0 | 4.7 | 6.7 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 14.6 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 81 | 25 | 43.7 | 36.5 | 88.0 | 1.6 | 4.1 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 10.6 |
| 2018-19 * | MIN | 68 | 24 | 45.4 | 38.3 | 87.5 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 10.5 |
| 2018-19 * | PHL | 13 | 31 | 36.4 | 30.0 | 90.0 | 1.6 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 11.1 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 66 | 25 | 47.6 | 35.7 | 84.4 | 1.5 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 10.7 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 50 | 17 | 44.7 | 34.8 | 84.8 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 8.7 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 57 | 14 | 45.8 | 39.1 | 82.9 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 6.4 |
| 2022-23 * | PHX | 37 | 14 | 42.7 | 39.1 | 81.8 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 5.8 |
| 2022-23 * | OKC | 20 | 14 | 51.5 | 39.1 | 84.4 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 7.4 |
| 2023-24 | GOS | 64 | 17 | 46.6 | 37.6 | 84.9 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 8.1 |
| Total | 477 | 23 | 44.5 | 36.2 | 83.9 | 1.4 | 4.0 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 10.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
