When Goran Dragic came in as a second-round pick, nobody thought he would last well over a decade in the NBA. Not even himself. Now officially retired, Dragic will be on hand for the NBA’s 33rd game in Mexico since 1992, featuring his favorite …
When Goran Dragic came in as a second-round pick, nobody thought he would last well over a decade in the NBA. Not even himself. Now officially retired, Dragic will be on hand for the NBA’s 33rd game in Mexico since 1992, featuring his favorite franchise, the Miami Heat, going up against the Washington Wizards on November 2.
The former All-Star jumped at the chance to travel to Mexico City to participate in numerous NBA-hosted events, including a Jr. NBA coaches event, prior to Saturday’s matchup. Dragic spoke with HoopsHype about his 15-year career, what separates the Heat from other teams, Luka Doncic, and more.
Do you think we will ever see the two best European players on the same team?
Welcome to Layup Lines, For the Win’s basketball newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Have feedback for the Layup Lines Crew? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey. Now, here’s Bryan Kalbrosky.
It may sound like Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is writing fan fiction about Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic as teammates.
But the reality is that Nowitzki’s dream of seeing Doncic and Jokic on the same team one day, while improbable, is not impossible. During a send-off for longtime NBA guard Goran Dragic in Slovenia last week, Nowitzki spoke about the possibility.
Here is what the 2011 NBA Finals MVP said about the 2023 NBA Finals MVP potentially playing alongside Doncic one day (via Eurohoops.net):
“They both have a great relationship with each other, they respect each other and like each other genuinely. They spend time with each other. I’m not sure, but of course, we want Luka in Dallas as long as we can. Hopefully, he finishes his career there, but I love Jokic’s game, how he plays the game with passion, and the skill level as a big is unbelievable. They’re both incredible players.”
During an interview with his teammate Michael Porter Jr. last season, Doncic was one of the first names that Jokic mentioned when asked who he felt were the best players in the league.
Last season, Jokic said that he would be open to teaming up with Doncic in the NBA. However, he added that he doesn’t want to leave Denver and that Doncic could join him on the Nuggets if he decides he is done with Dallas.
Cooper Flagg Sneakers
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper Flagg is attending Duke next season. Duke is a Nike school. But the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft just signed a deal with New Balance.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen. We’re not supposed to be here. Cooper Flagg is not supposed to be signed to New Balance today.
Yet, here we are.
This morning, New Balance released a promotional video featuring Flagg. It showed him shooting hoops in a driveway until a paper boy throws a newspaper in the driveway with a headline announcing Flagg’s decision.
New Balance labeled Flagg’s choice as “The Intelligent Choice,” seemingly taking a shot at the competitors around them. This was the brand’s announcement that they’d signed the newly minted Duke basketball star to a shoe deal.”
There may already be a suitor for a former Bulls guard.
On Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls waived veteran guard Goran Dragic to open up a roster spot and provide Dragic with a chance to sign with a contender following Chicago’s acquisition of Patrick Beverley.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Milwaukee Bucks are the frontrunners to sign Dragic.
ESPN Sources: The Milwaukee Bucks have emerged as frontrunners to sign guard Goran Dragic. He has connected with a few contenders since Bulls waived him, but the East-leading Bucks have moved to forefront of reaching a deal with Dragic.
The Bucks have won 16 games in a row, moving into the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, which will give Dragic a chance at chasing a ring in his 15th season.
Dragic averaged 6.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 51 games this season with the Bulls.
Once Beverley was signed, it was questioned whether Dragic would be a casualty, yet the team chose to waive center Tony Bradley instead.
Dragic, who has missed the last four games with a knee injury, averaged 6.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 51 games this season.
In place of Dragic, the Bulls could look to bolster their frontcourt to close out the regular season with in veteran center Nerlens Noel, who was just bought out by the Detroit Pistons.
The Bulls could swap one veteran point guard for another.
Though the Chicago Bulls were one of just two teams who didn’t make a trade at the deadline last week, they might be busy on the buyout market.
With the numerous veteran point guards looking to hit the open market in Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and John Wall, the Bulls look to be in play.
But, to sign one of the following guards, they’ll have to open up a roster spot.
Reported by K.C. Johnson of NBCS Chicago, the Bulls may waive veteran Goran Dragic to make way for another guard.
“If the Bulls don’t add Westbrook, John Wall and Patrick Beverley are names to keep in mind. The Bulls will need to waive a player to create a roster spot, and their current focus calls into question the future of Goran Dragić.”
Chicago has already been linked to both Westbrook and Beverley, though it looks like Westbrook could be headed for the Clippers.
Beverley, who is a Chicago-native, would add a more defensive-minded, veteran leader to Billy Donovan’s backcourt.
With Dragic, his minutes has seen a decline since the beginning of the season and could add a veteran presence off the bench for a potential contender.
Billy Donovan said postgame that Dragic has a stinger in his neck from the collision.
The Chicago Bulls snapped their four-game losing streak on Monday night against the Boston Celtics as the Bulls ended the Celtics nine-game win streak, 121-107.
Though in the victory, one of Chicago’s guards had to leave the game due to injury.
With 2:38 remaining in the first quarter, Bulls’ Goran Dragic collided with Celtics’ Sam Houser, injuring his shoulder. Dragic immediately left the court and walked towards the locker room.
Dragic later returned to the game for a brief stint but only played seven minutes in the victory.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan said postgame that Dragic told him that he has a ‘stinger’ due to the collision.
“It’s his neck, that’s where he got hit and I think he had some numbness going down the back of his arm and into his elbow,” Donovan said of Dragic. “When he came back in, he just didn’t look right to me and that was totally my decision.”
The Bulls play again on Wednesday in Milwaukee so we’ll see if Dragic is available to suit up.
The Chicago Bulls gave it their best shot without guard Zach LaVine, but it proved to be futile since Fred VanVleet had quite a night.
The Chicago Bulls took on the Toronto Raptors on Sunday at Scotiabank Arena and lost 113-104. Chicago got exceptional games out of big Nikola Vucevic (18 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists) and guard Alex Caruso (11 rebounds and 11 assists), but those efforts weren’t enough as Toronto guard Fred VanVleet put together a double-double of 30 points and 11 assists.
Chicago guard DeMar DeRozan had a good game considering that Toronto doubled him every time he touched the ball, especially on pick-and-rolls. Goran Dragic turned back the clock a bit to give the Bulls 16 points in 21 minutes off the bench while forward Patrick Williams had a good game despite struggling from the field.
Grading the Chicago Bulls after a 123-119 loss on Friday in Boston.
The Chicago Bulls (5-5) took their 2-game win streak into TD Garden on Friday night to face the Boston Celtics and lost 123-119. After beating the Celtics 120-102 on October 24th, the regular-season series is now 1-1.
Despite guard DeMar DeRozan erupting for a season-high 46 points (13-23 from the field, 20-22 from the free-throw line), Chicago could not complete the comeback. Center Nikola Vucevic scored an efficient 24 points while pulling down 12 rebounds while guard Zach LaVine had a decent game of 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Chicago shot 51.8% from the field and 39.3% from beyond the arc, but they allowed Boston forward Jayson Tatum (36 points) and guard Malcolm Brogdon (25 points) to make shots when it mattered the most.
The 15-year old veteran’s leadership and IQ has boosted Chicago’s bench unit.
The Chicago Bulls are off to a 3-2 start to the 2022-23 regular season and a lot of that has to do with the play of the bench.
Billy Donovan has one of the deepest teams in the league, whose bench unit contains Alex Caruso, Javonte Green, Coby White, Andre Drummond, Derrick Jones Jr., and veteran guard Goran Dragic.
For Dragic, he’s immediately made a positive impact on his new team, and Donovan notices that.
“He’s really, really smart,” Donovan said of Dragic after Wednesday’s victory. “I liken it to being with Chris Paul in Oklahoma City, the talking, the communicating with what he’s seeing; I love that. He’s got such a high IQ. He can find guys and make things happen; he’s a very unique guy with his experience.”
Dragic finished Wednesday night’s win with 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists on a perfect 3-of-3 from downtown. The 15-year vet has formed a nice chemistry with fellow newcomer Andre Drummond in the pick-and-roll while also being able to find his own shot.
“I’m just reading the game,” Dragic said postgame. “Sometimes you just have to see the floor, read the situation and make the right play. I’m really happy how we’ve played the last two games. Our main emphasis was sharing the ball, keep moving and not waste possessions, and so far so good. I feel we can eliminate some turnovers and be even better.”
If Dragic can keep up this play off the bench for Donovan’s team, the Bulls’ backcourt will be in a good place even in Lonzo Ball’s absence.
The second-year guard is impressing his new backcourt mate.
Bulls new veteran guard Goran Dragic is getting accustomed to his new team with training camp beginning last week.
One of Dragic’s early observations from training camp was the play from second-year guard Ayo Dosunmu, who the veteran was impressed by.
“I really like Ayo. He’s a great kid,” Dragic said after Monday’s practice. “He really listens and he’s really asking questions. For me, it’s just to guide him on the right path. He has such a great talent and he’s a positive kid. He really surprised me.”
Dosunmu played well during his rookie season, averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while earning second team All-Rookie honors and showcasing his stout perimeter defense in 40 starts with the injuries to Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso.
With Ball out for the foreseeable future, Billy Donovan has a decision to make on who gets the start at point guard between Dosunmu, Caruso, and Dragic. Look for Tuesday night’s preseason opener to be a precursor of who gets the nod.
