2018-19 NBA Preview: Areas of improvement for every Sixers youngster

#3 Dario Saric - Defensive awareness

Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics - Game Two

Do not let the lack of hype around Saric fool you into thinking he's not at the same level as the rest of the Sixers' youngsters. In 2 seasons of NBA play, the 24-year-old has consolidated himself as one of the best stretch 4 players in the league.

His improvements in the second year were sneakily elite - an 8.2% jump in 3-point shooting efficiency on an increased volume, a 4% increase in field goal percentage meaning that he took the same number of shots per game but they resulted in a 2 ppg jump.

Offensively, it is clear that Saric has got the whole package. But for the Sixers to reach the next level of playoff excellence, it is clear that the Croat needs to pull up his socks defensively. The Sixers' defensive rating spiked when he sat and allowed Simmons to play as the power forward on the defensive end - a clear indicator of the same.

Teams hunt for Saric to switch onto the ballhandler when Redick is off the floor for the Sixers. Much of his struggles come from guarding shorter perimeter players in the opposition.