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  4. title => "What's the deal with Serbian PG Vasilije Micic and the Sixers?"
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  6. article_body => "<p>Imagine the type of player that could help the Sixers in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>How about a guard who can shoot well enough to spread the floor that\u2019s also crafty enough to run the pick-and-roll? Maybe a guy with big game experience so you\u2019re not relying on a youngster while you\u2019re chasing a title?<\/p>\n<p>What if I told you the Sixers may already have the rights to that type of player?<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019re forgiven if you don\u2019t know the name Vasilije Micic. If you do, then you\u2019re already ahead of the game. If not, here\u2019s a refresher on the Serbian guard and his current situation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where did this guy come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Sixers did quite well for themselves in the 2014 NBA Draft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In addition to Joel Embiid falling into their lap at No. 3, they also acquired Dario Saric and an additional first-rounder. In the second round, they landed solid NBA pro Jerami Grant (39th overall) and Micic (52nd overall), among others. Fun fact: The pick then-GM Sam Hinkie used on Micic was acquired in the Spencer Hawes trade.<\/p>\n<p>Micic started playing professionally in Serbia in 2011 at 17 years old. Since then he\u2019s had stints with Bayern Munich (Germany), Zalgiris (Lithuania) and has spent the last two seasons with Anadolu Efes in Turkey.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How good is he?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After not really standing out his first couple EuroLeague seasons, Micic has made strides the last two seasons \u2014&nbsp;especially in 2019-20.<\/p>\n<p>Through 24 games, Micic was having an outstanding year. He shot the ball extremely well, hitting 40 percent on 5.4 attempts from three a game. To further illustrate how much Micic has evolved as a shooter, he hit a ridiculous 96.4 percent of his free throws. He also shot 46.9 percent from the field overall, a strong number for a perimeter player.<\/p>\n<p>He averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.6 minutes per game. His team had a 24-4 record&nbsp;in EuroLeague play, the highest mark when the season was suspended.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s fair to point out that that he averaged over three turnovers a contest. Obviously Micic was a high usage player, but that assist-to-turnover ratio is a little troubling. It\u2019s also fair to wonder how he\u2019ll fare defensively against elite NBA athletes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How does he fit with the Sixers?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Micic has seen an uptick in his play and sounds like a guy who may be ready for an NBA opportunity, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.15min.lt\/eurolyga\/naujiena\/naujienos\/zinuciu-is-graikijos-uzverstas-buves-zalgirio-vedlys-pasiruoses-svarbiam-zingsniui-1134-1314976\" target=\"_blank\">according to an interview with 15min.lt<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is my style of play,\" he said. \"I could play fewer minutes, play a smaller role but I think that during my career in Europe I have already gained the status of a player that shows I could play a role that is longer than 20 minutes, which is what might be waiting for me in the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This is where the situation gets tricky. Micic is an ascending player in the EuroLeague entering his prime. Does he want to trade having a huge role in the second-best league in the world to fight for minutes with the Sixers? It doesn\u2019t sound like it.<\/p>\n<p>The Sixers\u2019 situation on the perimeter is a little crowded. We\u2019ve seen young wings like Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz step up at different times this season. Shake Milton was excellent filling in while Ben Simmons was hurt and seems to have solidified the backup point guard role.<\/p>\n<p>Micic, as mentioned, has skills that should appeal to them. His shooting numbers speak for themselves. He\u2019s the type of guard that can be Simmons\u2019 backup but is also crafty enough to unleash Simmons as a screen and roller while they\u2019re on the floor together.<\/p>\n<p>Defense may be a concern. Though Micic possesses decent size at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, his lack of elite athleticism could hurt him. Even on the offensive end, Micic is more crafty than he is explosive.<\/p>\n<p>The contract situation won\u2019t be cut and dry, either. Micic is no longer subject to the rookie wage scale. You'd think he'd seek a deal larger&nbsp;than the veteran minimum.<\/p>\n<p>So should the Sixers try to bring Micic over? It couldn't hurt.&nbsp;Should Micic come over to compete for minutes? That's up to him.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Subscribe and rate Sixers Talk:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/id1193293445\">Apple Podcasts<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/music\/listen?authuser&amp;u=0#\/ps\/Ilmsv7yqtikw5y7krsss4yritkm\">Google Play<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/06d2501p3gqUOlKramp84G\">Spotify<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/nbc-sports-philadelphia\/zoos-views?refid=stpr\">Stitcher<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/sixers-talk-a-philadelphia-76ers-podcast\">Art19<\/a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXenWaHGZz4Ey4BObUUIyZQ\">YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/sixers-talk-a-philadelphia-76ers-podcast\/episodes\/48746bef-1903-4ae5-b640-41793ffbd098\/embed\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><br><br><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb788a3d5b83?site_id=Web_NBCS_Philly&amp;creative_id=nbcsphi1356&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsphi1356\">Click here<\/a> to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">More on the Sixers<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/larry-brown-joel-embiid-ben-simmons-al-horford-tobias-harris\">Larry Brown wants Embiid to \u2018realize the gift that he has\u2019&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/5-most-regrettable-sixers-draft-picks\">The 5 most regrettable Sixers draft picks<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-talk-podcast-larry-brown-allen-iverson-joel-embiid-ben-simmons\">Sixers Talk podcast: Larry Brown talks A.I., state of the current Sixers&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/2020-nba-draft-profile-devin-vassell-sixers-florida-state-basketball\">Should Sixers consider trading up for this 3-and-D prospect?&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/philadelphia\/76ers\/sixers-best-starting-5s-julius-erving-wilt-chamberlain-allen-iverson\">The 5 best Sixers starting 5s of all time <\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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76ers

76ers

Imagine the type of player that could help the Sixers in the future. 

How about a guard who can shoot well enough to spread the floor that’s also crafty enough to run the pick-and-roll? Maybe a guy with big game experience so you’re not relying on a youngster while you’re chasing a title?

What if I told you the Sixers may already have the rights to that type of player?

You’re forgiven if you don’t know the name Vasilije Micic. If you do, then you’re already ahead of the game. If not, here’s a refresher on the Serbian guard and his current situation.

Where did this guy come from?

The Sixers did quite well for themselves in the 2014 NBA Draft. 

In addition to Joel Embiid falling into their lap at No. 3, they also acquired Dario Saric and an additional first-rounder. In the second round, they landed solid NBA pro Jerami Grant (39th overall) and Micic (52nd overall), among others. Fun fact: The pick then-GM Sam Hinkie used on Micic was acquired in the Spencer Hawes trade.

Micic started playing professionally in Serbia in 2011 at 17 years old. Since then he’s had stints with Bayern Munich (Germany), Zalgiris (Lithuania) and has spent the last two seasons with Anadolu Efes in Turkey.

How good is he?

After not really standing out his first couple EuroLeague seasons, Micic has made strides the last two seasons — especially in 2019-20.

Through 24 games, Micic was having an outstanding year. He shot the ball extremely well, hitting 40 percent on 5.4 attempts from three a game. To further illustrate how much Micic has evolved as a shooter, he hit a ridiculous 96.4 percent of his free throws. He also shot 46.9 percent from the field overall, a strong number for a perimeter player.

 

He averaged 14.5 points, 5.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 30.6 minutes per game. His team had a 24-4 record in EuroLeague play, the highest mark when the season was suspended. 

It’s fair to point out that that he averaged over three turnovers a contest. Obviously Micic was a high usage player, but that assist-to-turnover ratio is a little troubling. It’s also fair to wonder how he’ll fare defensively against elite NBA athletes.

How does he fit with the Sixers?

Micic has seen an uptick in his play and sounds like a guy who may be ready for an NBA opportunity, according to an interview with 15min.lt.

“This is my style of play," he said. "I could play fewer minutes, play a smaller role but I think that during my career in Europe I have already gained the status of a player that shows I could play a role that is longer than 20 minutes, which is what might be waiting for me in the NBA.”

This is where the situation gets tricky. Micic is an ascending player in the EuroLeague entering his prime. Does he want to trade having a huge role in the second-best league in the world to fight for minutes with the Sixers? It doesn’t sound like it.

The Sixers’ situation on the perimeter is a little crowded. We’ve seen young wings like Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz step up at different times this season. Shake Milton was excellent filling in while Ben Simmons was hurt and seems to have solidified the backup point guard role.

Micic, as mentioned, has skills that should appeal to them. His shooting numbers speak for themselves. He’s the type of guard that can be Simmons’ backup but is also crafty enough to unleash Simmons as a screen and roller while they’re on the floor together.

Defense may be a concern. Though Micic possesses decent size at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, his lack of elite athleticism could hurt him. Even on the offensive end, Micic is more crafty than he is explosive.

The contract situation won’t be cut and dry, either. Micic is no longer subject to the rookie wage scale. You'd think he'd seek a deal larger than the veteran minimum.

So should the Sixers try to bring Micic over? It couldn't hurt. Should Micic come over to compete for minutes? That's up to him.

Subscribe and rate Sixers Talk: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | YouTube

 



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