LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) - Dragons can fly high, only to ferociously land in vast green spaces. It is no surprise, then, that a dragon's egg hatched in the spring of the mid-80s in one of the greenest territories worldwide.
Legends say a dragon emerged from a lake near the river Ljubljanica when the Greek hero Jason was laying the first foundation stones to create Ljubljana. And 38 years ago, in the area of Koseze, another Dragon spread its wings for another birthday: when Goran Dragic came to Earth, the planets of Slovenian basketball aligned.
Almost four decades later, he returned to his city what he had been given: appreciation, recognition, and gratitude. The boy from Ljubljana, who put Slovenia on the global basketball map, finally unlaced his shoes.
A Familiar Legacy
Goran Dragic's farewell 40-minute clash in Ljubljana's Stozice Arena was a must-watch not only for every Slovenian kid who grew up watching him represent his country wherever that ball was rolling. Indeed, it was an event full of stars. Just to name a few: Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki, and Steve Nash. And the list goes on.
Everyone showed up sharing a certain connection with the 38-year-old former playmaker: fellow national team brothers, opponents he squared off against on American courts, or old-time friends he learned from.
Mostly, it was family that mattered. During the enjoyable exhibition, there was also time for a special one-on-one between the Dragic brothers, Goran and Zoran, and a makeshift pick-up game where the two siblings paired up with their father and children against Jokic, Doncic, and other stars. It was truly a unique night in the Slovenian capital.
It was a night full of tears and emotions for Zoran, who always followed in his brother's basketball footsteps.
"It was emotional. Especially because one of my best friends, my brother, retired. I wish him all the best, I will always love him. Whatever is next for him, we will be by his side," the younger of the duo said after the event.
Reflecting on his successful brother, Zoran added, "How time flies."
Thirteen years have passed since Zoran joined Goran in the national team's backcourt.
"I can't believe that he's already retiring. We know basketball isn't forever, and what a great career. I will thank him for what he has shown me, and what he has always told me to be a better person," he added.
A Golden Captain
Zoran is family by blood, but when it comes to basketball, Igor Kokoskov has played a significant role in shaping Goran's lifelong playing career. Having been together with the Phoenix Suns since 2008, they also shared the glory of winning EuroBasket 2017.
"[He had an] unbelievable career: this simple and modest kid from Slovenia, making such huge achievements in the NBA and all these years playing for several teams and the national team. I was just thrilled to be part of his journey," the former Slovenia national team head coach reflected on the Dragon's career.
They weren't alone in celebrating that FIBA EuroBasket 2017 golden run. Klemen Prepelic was there, too.
"Goran [Dragic] is huge for us. He's our golden captain, he's an example for anyone who follows basketball, for many years. He was one of the many idols we had when we were growing up. He gave us a lot, especially his leadership when we won EuroBasket in 2017," the Slovenian shooting guard praised.
When his country needed his leadership, before passing the baton to a generational talent like Doncic, Goran delivered a legendary 35-point game in the Final against Serbia. A nation with a population of two million that had always stood in the shadow of its neighbors finally soared to European glory.
Even his opponents were more than happy to celebrate Dragic's career.
"He set extremely high standards throughout his career, first and foremost as a person, and then as a player. An example to every child and athlete of how to get the most out of a career and how to reach moments like the one his teammates, coaches, Ljubljana, and his entire nation prepared for him," said former Serbia head coach Sasa Djordjevic, who lost to Slovenia in that Final.
From Slovenia to the NBA
While Kokoskov assisted him in transitioning to the NBA after just one season outside Slovenia - though still in a place where green was familiar, the Basque Country - Alvin Gentry was the coach responsible for helping Dragic establish himself.
The experienced tactical mind was also present in Ljubljana to pay tribute to the local phenomenon.
"He's part of my family. We had him when he was very young, just learning that he belonged in the NBA. To see this as the end of his career and everything that he’s accomplished, I’m really proud of him," Gentry began.
"But more so than anything, I think you can see with the turnout and how everybody came out and the players that came back that he’s just such a well-respected guy. He’s such a humble human being that it’s just great to know him," Gentry continued. "The biggest lesson [I learned from him] is his unselfishness and how he’s such a tough kid. The only thing that was important to him was winning," he added.
While his former head coach described one of his performances with the Suns - against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2010 NBA Playoffs - as "Kobe-like," Dragic could count on another legend to guide his first overseas experiences. From one point guard to another, Steve Nash took him under his wings.
"He is a great competitor, someone who played hard all the time. He is a great teammate, someone who went through some dark times but always wanted to improve. It's not the difficult times that are rare, but the ones who are able to fight through those times. Sometimes you need a little support," the two-time NBA MVP reflected.
Steve Nash would have never supported someone untrustworthy.
"Goran [Dragic] was exceptional in his approach. The fire was always there. He was never afraid, he was an incredible person and player to mentor. He brought values every day: to compete, to have the right approach, and to be a good human being," he added.
Despite spending only one season together with the Miami Heat, Chris Bosh always kept the Slovenian playmaker in his close circle of trusted people. The 2008 Olympic champion returned to basketball after an eight-and-a-half-year retirement just to bid farewell to Dragic's inspiring career.
"I didn’t even want to play today, I wasn’t going to play because I haven’t played for so long, but I just wanted to be out there with him, celebrating his career. Everybody doesn’t get a chance to do this; you don’t even get a farewell sometimes. To be here supporting him has been amazing," he said.
Bosh's praise didn’t stop there.
"Goran [Dragic] is the best. A great professional, a great human being, a nice guy. You want to play with nice guys, but mean on the court: they call him the Dragon for a reason. He’s a friend, and to share the locker room with him for a little bit was great," the winning big man continued.
Closing the Cave's Door
As Zoran said, time flew fast from when they were battling each other in the family's garden or from Goran's first steps in basketball, which he discovered only after pursuing football.
Twenty-one years after his professional debut in Ilirija Ljubljana's jersey, and two decades since his first national team experiences with the Slovenian U18 squad, Goran Dragic's playing career is over. In a few months, he could look up to the rafters of the Stozice Arena and find his iconic No. 3 jersey hanging there.
"I always loved basketball. For me, it was an easy choice to play with the Slovenian national team. I was with my friends, the fans are awesome here. That was my preparation for the next season in the NBA, the best I could do," he revealed on the Night of the Dragon's eve.
He landed at the right time in the right feeding lane toward international success, preparing the stage for another dominator to fly high. "When responsibilities came to me, I had to be a leader. Now it’s Luka [Doncic]’s team and he’s doing an amazing job. It’s passing the torch," he took time to praise his successor.
The Dragon can now rest after soaring from Ljubljana to Phoenix, spitting fire through magical plays on the court in Miami. In battles against powerhouses, Dragic was the first iconic figure capable of both giving a name to Slovenian basketball and wearing gold around their necks. The cave now awaits its owner.
FIBA