With Saric stationed more than 5,000 miles away, playing professionally in another league, there was no exit interview between him and Brown. Still, despite the long geographical divide that separates them, Saric and Brown stay in touch “constantly” via text.
“It’s ‘What’s App,” Brown said proudly, referring to the mobile app. “I get a kick out his English. It’s just, like, two syllable words. It’s just bam, bam, bam, one syllable words. He’s a stud, though, as far as corresponding. His excitement when I see his texts, he’s just beyond excited. If there’s ever such a thing as getting all fired up reading a ‘What’s App’ three- word text, it is with him. I get excited to read his.”
Brown travelled to Turkey to watch Saric and Efes play last year, and had planned to do so again at some point in the near future. Safety concerns in the Middle East prompted him to call off the trip, at least for now.
Nevertheless, Brown needs to look no further than Saric’s recent game logs for reasons to be encouraged by the Croatian’s progress. In eight appearances since March 18th, the 22-year old has compiled arguably the most productive stretch of his career, averaging 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. During this span, his shooting has been superb; he’s converted 41 of 76 field goal attempts (53.9%) overall, and 16 of 32 three-point tries (50.0%). Sarich has also registered three of his six double-doubles amidst this eight-game run.
From the footage that he’s followed this year, Brown has seen Saric grow in a variety of areas.
“Shooting, stretch the court threes, improved free throw, continued toughness, continued ability to pass, continued ability to rebound and lead a break,” said Brown. “It’s wrapped up in a more refined player, especially shooting.”
“I think that when we see him, we’re going to learn more,” Brown said when asked about Saric’s potential positional fit. “I don’t know if I’d want to say he’s a three [small forward] or a four [power forward]. Four-three, three-four, ‘do-all.’ Watch in the playoffs. Watch the fourth period. Watch the last six minutes of NBA Playoffs, and look who’s on the floor. It’s people like him. It’s ‘do-alls.’
How would Brown define a ‘do-all?’ Think Golden State’s versatile Draymond Green, or valued San Antonio veteran Boris Diaw. Brown said he does think Saric could compliment any one of the Sixers’ bigs in Embiid, Okafor, or Nerlens Noel.
Saric has four games remaining on his regular season domestic TBSL schedule. Anadolu Efes has been eliminated from Eurocup competition.
Brown added that the Sixers are waiting to find out more about any Olympic obligations that Saric may have. Saric’s participation in the summer games in Rio are not expected to impact his ability to join the Sixers.
Sixersi pare potpuno uvjereni da dolazi, kažem opet velika lova je u pitanju, ali bi stvarno volio da ode. Vidim i Spahija komentira, kako ga ne gleda nit zna koliko je i kako napredovao, ali da dolazi 2, 3 godine prekasno. Lijepe riječi od njega.
