Dragic happy to be back: 'When you are winning, it feels like the best decision'

BERLIN (Germany) - Goran Dragic has been there, done that at FIBA EuroBasket and got the MVP award to show for it. This time around is rather different from the historic title-winning effort of 2017, though.

The final chapter had been written and the story was meant to be closed. Going out on the high of all highs. But that all changed earlier this summer when the rumblings of an end to international retirement were officially confirmed.

"IT'S WORTH IT. I AM ENJOYING THIS. I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE BEST TEAM."

Dragic is feeling the emotional and physical conflict that has since stemmed from the decision with Slovenia rolling onto the Quarter-Finals after beating Belgium 88-72 on Saturday in the latest in a long line of tough encounters in the tournament.

"When you are winning, it feels like the best decision," he says with a laugh. "But when you go back to your room and everything hurts, your whole body hurts, sometimes I am thinking 'oh my god, why do I have to go through this again'.

"But it's worth it, it's worth it. I am enjoying this. I feel like we have the best team, we have the best teammates, our chemistry is at the highest level and everyone is enjoying success."

The feeling of having a second winner's medal at EuroBasket around his neck next Sunday will outweigh any of the inevitable aches and pains that follow on the Monday morning.

The dynamic is different, the coach is different, but the chemistry remains the same alongside the unrelenting will to win.

"I feel this is a completely different team [to 2017]. Back then we had Anthony Randolph, we had Gasper Vidmar, we had more depth under the basket. So it's different but we know our weaknesses and we know our advantages and as long as we play hard and together we can beat anybody."

Another positive in putting on the national team jersey again is getting the opportunity to link back up with Luka Doncic. The MVP and the 18-year-old from five years ago have different roles and Dragic is amazed at the levels his teammate is reaching.

Dragic is the second leading scorer on the team with an average of 14.5 points through six outings to provide a valuable anchor to the astronomic numbers his successor is reaching: 28.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.5 rebounds per game.

"I think he is the best player in the world," Dragic said of Doncic. "He is only 23 years old and he is playing like a veteran. He could score even points 40 points in every game.

"He plays the game at his rhythm, he is very big, he can shoot, he can pass, he can rebound. I don’t know what else we can say about Luka, he is like… an astronaut.

"I think he could be [the best player in history]. He is still very young, but if he stays healthy and plays a long more time I think that by the end of his career he could be the best ever.

"I wish I was younger so I could play more time with him. We’ve only played one EuroBasket together, this is the second one. For me, it’s different. I am 36, Luka is in his prime but I am enjoying every moment."

To the next one, indeed. All of Slovenia will be hoping there will be a couple more next ones with three wins needed to make more history and secure a repeat.

Doncic may be deservedly taking the headlines, but The Dragon still has some fire left to breathe as the comeback mission edges closer to completion.

FIBA