DarkXaero wrote:I still don't understand how Saric is a good pick with his lack of shooting ability, bad finishing ability, poor athleticism/lateral quickness, bad defense, no strength, and no defined position. Having a great feel & IQ for the game, and great passing/vision are extremely valuable traits, but those are some really serious flaws in his game which aren't really fixable (aside from shooting).
Have you even seen him play?
He is an average shooter but he still can hit open shots and even some 3's although his 3 point shooting is very erratic to say the least, that can always be improved on at his age. His defensive isn't bad and he defends the PF position well. He will be an NBA PF which is the position he has played all season for Cibona while bulking up. He isn't a bad finisher, he's a great finisher, in fact he's a very good slasher and cuts to the basket really well. He's also a very good rebounder.
Are you basing your opinion off scouting reports online or after watching him play this year?
Saric has been getting better and better throughout the season which makes perfect sense due to the protracted negotiations with FIBA etc until he finally signed for Cibona missing pre season etc and walking straight into playing, not to mention finally splitting from his father as manager/agent who ruined most of his early career.
Saric has been beasting through the playoffs.
Game 1 Cibona 84-86 Kvarner 2010
26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists in 31mins
Game 2 Cibona 82-76 Zadar
12 points, 7 rebounds in 26mins
Game 3 Cibona 81-65 Alkar Sinj
14 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists in 36mins
Game 4 Cibona 93-83 KK Zagreb
20 points, 11 (6off) rebounds, 2 assists in 36mins
Game 5 Cibona 81-64 Jolly
17 points, 5 rebounds in 31mins
Game 6 Cibona 79-61 KK Split
10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist in 21mins
Game 7 Cibona 69-78 Cedevita
13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists in 34mins
Game 8 Cibona 92-65 Kvarner
13 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists in 28mins
Game 9 Cibona 87-86 Zadar
11 points, 10 rebounds in 27mins
Game 10 DNP
Game 11 DNP
Game 12 Cibona 76-78 Jolly (on May 7th)
19 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists in 35mins
Game 13 Cibona 81-78 KK Split (on May 11th)
16 points, 9 rebounds, 2assists in 22mins
So he's averaging 15.5ppg (74% 2pointFG with 69%ft), 8.3rpg and 2.2apg in 29mins.
Comparing his numbers in the 2nd round (playoffs) like above, compared to the regular season is a big improvement in play. I think Saric is going to be a good player in the NBA and depending on his private workouts, I think there's a good chance he sneeks into the lottery even.
I fail to see who would be a better pick than Saric if he's available at 22 overall with more upside and talent. People forget that Saric outplayed Noel and Anthony Bennett at the 2012 Nike Hoops summit. Then this entire season Saric has played professional basketball against men to get stronger and improve with the other players went to play in the NCAA. Noel and Bennett are both top 5 picks in the 2013 NBA draft.