PSA: Get Dario Saric Out of Your Hypothetical Sixers Starting Lineups

Here’s my public service announcement:

When you post your hypothetical Sixers lineup to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or text message, please for the love of God take Dario Saric out of it.

I do NOT want to see this anywhere, anymore.

• Fultz
• Redick
• Saric
• Simmons
• Embiid

That doesn’t mean that I hate Dario and don’t think he’s good, but neither he or Ben Simmons is a three. Dario is going to be coming off of the bench for this Sixers team next season and even though that’s the case, that doesn’t mean he’s not super important going forward. The simple matter of fact is that the Sixers are TOO GOOD and Dario is the casualty of that. Forcing Dario into the starting lineup only plays either him or Simmons out of position, thus reducing their effectiveness and overall play.

Brown tried to play Dario at the three a bit last year and his effectiveness was just not the same as when he was playing the four. At the four, Dario can get down in the post, show off his passing ability or back a guy down. As a three, he’s roaming the perimeter. Even if you put Ben at the three it doesn’t help because you’re reducing his ability to go up for boards and get out and run in transition.

WHILE WE’RE AT IT, BEN SIMMONS IS NOT GOING TO BE THE POINT GUARD NEXT SEASON. HE’S GOING TO BE THE PRIMARY INITIATOR. SIMMONS WILL NOT BE DEFENDING THE POINT GUARD, HE WILL BE BRINGING THE BALL UP AND INITIATING THE OFFENSE.

Whew.

Overall, the Sixers will have better spacing and will maximize each of their players if Dario comes off the bench next season. It allows Dario to stay as your play-making four for a majority of minutes and allows Ben to operate closer to the basket for rebounds and not chasing quicker three’s around the perimeter. You don’t want either of these guys chasing around three’s in my opinion.

Now that that’s settled, what I am absolutely here for is the “Dario at the 5” lineup with Simmons at the four. That will be spacing galore with Dario’s ability to stretch the defense out to the three point line. But that should be the only time these two share the court next season.

So, once again…

DO NOT post this hypothetical lineup:

• Fultz
• Redick
• Saric
• Simmons
• Embiid

This WILL NOT be the Sixers lineup next season. I understand that Dario is good, but it is best for the team and the players if he’s coming off the bench next season.

This is the correct lineup… take a look:

• Fultz
• Redick
• Covington
• Simmons
• Embiid

Feel free to @ me if I’m wrong but that would be the first time I’ve ever been wrong.

Good day.