If Russell Westbrook is perhaps the flagship recruit of the offseason Nuggetswe must also not forget that the latter offered themselves Dario Saric. A signing that looks like a real deal, as the Croatian seems made to fit into Michael Malone's offensive systems.
Alongside Nikola Jokic, another European interior renowned for his basketball IQ, we can expect “Super Dario” to quickly feel at home in Denver.
“ Playing with the Joker, who is just amazing and a three-time MVP, seeing how he impacts the game and seeing the game through his eyes or his decision-making, being a part of it all, it's just a blast. In my opinion » gets excited the 30-year-old, close to his new Serbian teammate. “ We talk a lot together. We sometimes spent time together when I came to play in Denver, and vice versa. He's a good friend. »
Admiring the journey of the “Joker”
Nikola Jokic, a friend and teammate who has always been Dario Saric's opponent. Both when they challenged each other in Europe, in club as well as in the youth or professional selection, as well as when they challenged each other in the United States.
“ You could already see he had basketball through his fingertips » recalls the Croatian. “ He was a big guy who could shoot, play, with a nice touch. Few children growing up there had such a touch. When I faced him in the Adriatic League, he was already excelling as a pivot. Then in the NBA, the Nuggets system adjusted to him so that he was at his best… and he became an NBA champion, triple MVP. »
Nikola Jokic's prowess in the NBA also arouses the admiration of Dario Saric, who sees him as a model to follow for young people in the Balkan region.
“ We saw him become an MVP and follow a similar path to players born in that part of the world. It's incredible to see, I'm happy for him and I'm happy for all these players who can come here and make a living from basketball » rejoices the former interior of the Sixers, the Timberwolves, the Suns, the Thunder then the Warriors.
| 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.
