2014 NBA Mock Draft: An in-depth look at both rounds
By Joe Nardone
NOT DARIO SARIC Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
10.Philadelphia 76ers – Dario Saric, PF/SF, Cibona Zagreb – International
H: 6′ 10″ W: 223 lbs DOB: 04/08/1994
2013-14 Adriatic, Croatia, Eurocup (56 GP) 16.9 PPG 9.5 RPG 3.3 APG 22.3 PER
Philadelphia has two perfect spots to pick from in this draft. They have the pleasure of selecting whichever player of the top-three is still available with their first pick, which puts nearly no pressure on them, and have another low-risk type pick here at 10.
Even though Philly tanked to get into this sort of position last season, it doesn’t mean they are going to be a playoff team next year. Building for the future should still be the Sixers’ primary goal. So, taking a player or two that might be considered a project is fine. That’s why Dario Saric is a great fit for them. To be honest, I actually have Saric rated as the fourth best prospect in this entire draft, but many teams are scared off by him because he wants to stay overseas for a few years and there is always the risk of a foreign player not being as good as his numbers indicate.
Saric, however, can pretty much do it all. A legit 6’10 PF/SF hybrid type, a lot of people have been compared him to Dirk. Oddly enough, Saric is a little better on the defensive end and can bang more than the German. Whether or not he could be anywhere near as consistent a scorer as Dirk will be what makes Saric either an NBA random or a superstar — and I mean this when I type it, he is going to be a stud.
Because, really, there ain’t no party like a Dario party because a Dario party don’t stop…or something. — Joe