Goran Dragić

Goran Dragić

Dragić during his first stint with the Suns
No. 7 – Miami Heat
Position Guard
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1986-05-06) 6 May 1986
Ljubljana, SR Slovenia, SFR Yugoslavia
Nationality Slovenian
Listed height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight 190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
NBA draft 2008 / Round: 2 / Pick: 45th overall
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Playing career 2003–present
Career history
2003–2004 Ilirija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
2004–2006 KD Slovan (Slovenia)
2006–2007 CB Murcia (Spain)
2007–2008 Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia)
2008–2011 Phoenix Suns
2011–2012 Houston Rockets
2011 Saski Baskonia (Spain)
2012–2015 Phoenix Suns
2015–present Miami Heat
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Competitor for Slovenia Slovenia
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
2004 Brno National team
Stanković Cup
2007 Guangzhou / Macau National team
2010 Liuzhou National team

Goran Dragić (born 6 May 1986) is a Slovenian professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays at both the point guard and shooting guard positions. He played professional basketball in Slovenia and Spain before entering the NBA in 2008.[1] Dragić has played for the Phoenix Suns twice, the Houston Rockets, and the Miami Heat.

Professional career

Europe

Dragić began his professional career in the year 2003 at the age of 17 with the Slovenian 2D League club Ilirija Ljubljana. He played there for one year before transferring to the Slovenian Premier A League and Adriatic League club KD Slovan in 2004. After spending two years with Slovan, he transferred to the Spanish ACB club Baskonia, who loaned him to club CB Murcia in 2006.

Dragić joined the Slovenian League, Adriatic League and Euroleague club Olimpija Ljubljana in the year 2007, and he played there for one year, during the 2007–08 season, winning the Slovenian League championship with them.

NBA

Phoenix Suns

Dragić entered the 2008 NBA draft, where he was selected in the second round, 45th overall, by the San Antonio Spurs. His draft rights were then traded to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for the draft rights to Malik Hairston, the 48th pick. After the Suns finished a deal with TAU Ceramica (now known as Caja Laboral), with whom he was under contract, they officially signed him on 22 September 2008.[1] The Suns hoped that he would take over the starting point guard position after Steve Nash relinquished it.[1][2] On 25 January 2010, Dragić scored a career high 32 points, hitting 6 of 7 three-pointers in a losing effort against the Utah Jazz.[3]

On 7 May 2010, during game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals, he led a Phoenix Suns comeback against the team that originally drafted him, the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 23 of his total 26 points in the fourth quarter. Dragić scored his points on 10/13 FG attempts including 5/5 three-pointers and a 4 point play, as the Suns overcame an early 18-point deficit to defeat the Spurs 110–96 and take a 3–0 lead in their best of seven series in the Western Conference Semifinals. "I think it's safe to say that may have been the best fourth-quarter performance I have ever seen in a playoff game," Suns forward Grant Hill said.[4]

Houston Rockets

On 24 February 2011, at the NBA Trade Deadline, Dragić was traded to the Houston Rockets along with the lottery protected first round pick Phoenix received in an earlier trade with the Orlando Magic in exchange for Aaron Brooks.[5][6]

Dragić notched his first career NBA triple-double on 13 April 2011 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 45 minutes Dragić had 11 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds. Dragić also blocked a shot in the Rockets' blowout win.

2011 NBA Lockout

During the 2011 NBA lockout he signed with Saski Baskonia (which was Dragić's initial continuation spot for Europe had he not signed with the Suns earlier) in Spain.[7] He played for a brief period of time there until the lockout ended. On 8 December 2011, the day before the 2011 NBA lockout ended and players could move between teams, the Rockets, the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Hornets agreed to a trade that would have sent Dragić, along with Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, and Lamar Odom to New Orleans. In exchange, the Rockets would have received Pau Gasol, and the Lakers would have received star point guard Chris Paul. That night, after other team owners voiced their opposition, league commissioner David Stern nullified the trade.[8]

Return to the NBA

Return to Houston

Dragić and Patrick Patterson in 2012 as Houston Rockets players.

Dragić returned to the Rockets after the lockout ended. Throughout most of the season, Dragić continued to be used as a bench player as a means to help the Rockets out during the lockout shortened season. In March 2012, he filled in for Kyle Lowry, who was out with a bacterial infection. On 9 April 2012, Dragić won the Western Conference Player of the Week.[9]

Return to Phoenix

In 2012, Dragić became an unrestricted free agent. He agreed to sign a 4 year, $30 million deal with a player option on the final year with the Phoenix Suns[10] and officially became a member of the team again on 19 July 2012. He was brought in to replace Steve Nash, whom he played behind during his first stint with the Suns, as starting point guard. On 19 February 2013, Dragić recorded a career-high 18 assists to go with 14 points as the Suns defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 102–98. Dragić nearly recorded a triple-double against the Brooklyn Nets with 31 points, 12 assists, and 9 rebounds on 24 March 2013. Despite suffering through a 25–57 season, Dragić ended up gaining some career high moments in the process.

After getting Eric Bledsoe from a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Suns ultimately decided to move Dragić to the shooting guard position as a means of putting less pressure on Dragić to distribute the ball to his teammates. In his first game playing with Eric as a teammate, Dragić led the team with 26 points and 9 assists in a 104–91 season opening victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Dragić had over 8 games with 30 points or more, including a double-double of 31 points and 10 assists in a victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on 27 November 2013. He also had what was, at the time, a career high 33 points in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on 2 January 2014. On 3 February 2014, Dragić won his second career Western Conference Player of the Week award and his first with the Suns for games played between 27 January – 2 February 2014.[11] Three days later, he was paired with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Reggie Jackson in the revamped Skills Challenge at the All-Star weekend

On 8 February 2014, Dragić scored a career-high 34 points— while attempting only 13 field-goals— to go along with 10 assists in a 122–109 home victory over the Golden State Warriors.[12] On 23 February 2014, Dragić scored a new career-high 35 points, along with 3 assists and 3 steals, in a 112–115 loss to the Houston Rockets.[13][14] On 28 February 2014, he recorded a new career-high 40 points, along with 3 rebounds and 5 assists, in a 116–104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[15][16] He became the first player, since Rod Strickland in 1985-86, to set career-highs in points three times in a single month. Dragić also became the sixth player, after his head coach Jeff Hornacek, Dražen Petrović, Dirk Nowitzki, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant, to join the 20-50-40 Club — averaging 20 or more points per game while shooting 50%+ from the field and 40%+ on three-pointers.[17][18] He also averaged over 5 assists per game throughout the season as well, leaving him joining the likes of Larry Bird, Jeff Hornacek and LeBron James.[19][20]

On 23 April 2014, Dragić won the 2014 NBA Most Improved Player Award.[21] One month later, he would end up being honored by his home nation with their national "Apple of Inspiration" award for being a role model and inspiring hope in Slovenia, as well as helping out the nation's community with humanitarian activities.[22] Finally, on 4 June 2014, Dragić was named to the 2014 All-NBA third team alongside Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Al Jefferson and Paul George.[23]

Miami Heat

On 19 February 2015, Dragić and his brother Zoran were traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal also involving the New Orleans Pelicans.[24] Two days later, he made his debut for the Heat, recording 12 points and 3 rebounds in a 91-105 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[25] Dragic finished the season averaging 16.6 points and 5.3 assists per game in 26 starts for Miami, as the Heat missed the playoffs.

On 9 July 2015, Dragić re-signed with the Heat to a five-year, $90 million contract.[26][27] He missed eight straight games during January 2016 because of a left calf injury.[28]

Slovenian national basketball team

Junior national team

Dragić won the gold medal at the 2004 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship with the Slovenian junior national team. He also played at the 2005 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

Senior national team

Dragić playing for the Slovenian national basketball team in 2009

Dragić competed with the senior men's Slovenian national basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and the 2007 European Championship in limited roles. Dragić's role with the Slovenian national basketball team began to increase in the 2009 European Championship and the 2010 FIBA World Championship. He then played with his brother Zoran in the 2011 European Championship and the 2013 European Championship, the latter held in Slovenia. During the 2013 tournament, Goran and his brother helped lead Slovenia to a 5th place finish and a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Championship. Goran finished in the 2013 European Championship's top five in points and assists, which earned him a spot on the All-Tournament Team. In 2014, Dragić was named Slovenia's team captain after Jaka Lakovič retired from international play. In the friendly matches before the 2014 FIBA World Championship, Dragić rested in 9 of their 14 matches before actually playing in the championship matches. After finishing up their friendly matches, Dragić played with no restrictions beyond the rest of the competition; he was the only All-NBA team member to play in the 2014 World Cup aside from Team USA.

Personal life

Dragić was born to a Slovenian mother and a Serbian father.[29] He grew up in Slovenia playing soccer. However, an injury forced him to switch sports. As a child in Europe, he admired NBA players Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and former teammate Steve Nash, and woke up at 3 in the morning to watch NBA games.[30] He is fluent in Slovenian, Serbian, Spanish, and English.[31] Dragić's brother, Zoran, was formerly his teammate on the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat.[32]

In August 2013, Dragić married his long-time girlfriend, Maja.[33][34] In November 2013, Dragić's first son, Mateo, was born.[35]

He and Zoran, alongside fellow teammates Markieff and Marcus Morris, all briefly played together for the Suns during the fourth quarter of their 112-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on 2 January 2015. It marked the first time in the NBA's history that two different pairs of brothers played together for the same team at the same time.[36]

Awards and accomplishments

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09 Phoenix 55 1 13.2 .393 .370 .769 1.9 2.0 .5 .1 4.5
2009–10 Phoenix 80 2 18.0 .452 .394 .736 2.1 3.0 .6 .1 7.9
2010–11 Phoenix 48 2 17.8 .421 .277 .608 1.8 3.1 .8 .1 7.4
2010–11 Houston 22 3 17.2 .472 .519 .667 2.5 2.5 .6 .2 7.7
2011–12 Houston 66 28 26.5 .462 .337 .805 2.5 5.3 1.3 .2 11.7
2012–13 Phoenix 77 77 33.5 .443 .319 .748 3.1 7.4 1.6 .3 14.7
2013–14 Phoenix 76 75 35.1 .505 .408 .760 3.2 5.9 1.4 .3 20.3
2014–15 Phoenix 52 52 33.4 .501 .355 .746 3.6 4.1 1.0 .2 16.2
2014–15 Miami 26 26 34.8 .502 .329 .808 3.4 5.3 1.1 .2 16.6
Career 502 266 26.0 .470 .361 .751 2.7 4.5 1.0 .2 12.2

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010 Phoenix 16 0 14.8 .430 .325 .742 1.8 2.3 .3 .1 7.6
Career 16 0 14.8 .430 .325 .742 1.8 2.3 .3 .1 7.6

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Suns Sign Goran Dragic | The Official Site Of The Phoenix Suns". Nba.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  2. ↑ "New suns may play tonight". Azcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  3. ↑ Loren Jorgensen (2010-01-26). "Utah Jazz: Little-known Dragic enjoys career night for Suns". Deseret News. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  4. ↑ "Phoenix Suns vs. San Antonio Spurs - Recap - May 07, 2010 - ESPN". Scores.espn.go.com. 2010-05-07. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  5. ↑ "Phoenix Suns trade Goran Dragic for Aaron Brooks from Houston Rockets". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  6. ↑ "Rockets trade Battier, Brooks in separate deals". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
  7. ↑ "CAJA LABORAL tabs guard Dragic - 2011-12 SIGNINGS - Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL". Euroleague.net. 2011-11-20. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  8. ↑ Wojnarowski, Adrian (9 December 2011). "Teams still pushing for Paul trade". Yahoo! Sports.
  9. ↑ "Rockets' Dragic, Heat's James named Players of the Week". NBA.com. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  10. ↑ "Goran Dragic Salary Cap, Contracts, Salaries, Cap Hits, & News Profile". Spotrac.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  11. ↑ "Lowry, Dragic named Players of the Week". NBA.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  12. ↑ "Notebook: Suns 122, Warriors 109". NBA.com. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  13. ↑ Notebook: Rockets 115, Suns 112
  14. ↑ Goran Dragic Scores a Career-High 35 Points on YouTube
  15. ↑ Notebook: Suns 116, Pelicans 104
  16. ↑ Goran Dragic Scores a Career High... for the Second Time This Week! on YouTube
  17. ↑ http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/4/7/5588628/phoenix-suns-goran-dragic-about-to-join-exclusive-20-50-40-club
  18. ↑ http://valleyofthesuns.com/2014/04/16/goran-dragic-joins-hornacek-petrovic-on-exclusive-list/
  19. ↑ http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/4/23/5643752/phoenix-suns-goran-dragic-named-nbas-most-improved-player-for-2013-14
  20. ↑ http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2014/6/4/5779748/phoenix-suns-goran-dragic-named-to-2013-14-all-nba-third-team
  21. ↑ Suns' Dragic wins Kia Most Improved Player award
  22. ↑ Basketball Player Dragić Honoured by President Pahor
  23. ↑ Durant, LeBron headline 2013-14 All-NBA First Team
  24. ↑ "HEAT Acquire Goran Dragic and Zoran Dragic". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Pelicans lose Davis and Anderson, roll past Heat 105-91". NBA.com. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  26. ↑ "HEAT Re-Signs Goran Dragic". NBA.com. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  27. ↑ Stein, Marc (July 1, 2015). "Goran Dragic, Miami Heat agree to five-year, $90 million deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  28. ↑ Braun, Rick (January 28, 2016). "Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic likely to return Friday night vs. Bucks". MiamiHerald.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  29. ↑ Archived 2 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ↑ "Goran Dragic Stats, Video, Bio, Profile". NBA.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  31. ↑ "Goran Dragic Stats, Video, Bio, Profile | NBA.com". Nba.us. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  32. ↑ "Suns Sign Zoran Dragic". NBA.com. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  33. ↑ "Dragić vzel le en prost dan, da se je oženil". Delo.si. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  34. ↑ "Sloveniji bo zdaj poveljeval poročeni Dragić | EP 2013 - Planet". Siol.net. 2013-08-22. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  35. ↑ "Defense has helped the Suns become the NBA’s surprise team". Valleyofthesuns.com. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  36. ↑ Green helps Suns pull away from 76ers, 112-96
  37. ↑ "Dragic Honored with MVP, Yi Entered Best Team_2010 DONGFENG YUEDA KIA STANKOVIC CONTINENTAL CUP". Bscup.tom.com. 2010-08-01. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  38. ↑ "Rockets' Dragić, Heat's James named Players of the Week". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  39. ↑ "Dragić Named Western Conference Player of Week".
  40. ↑ "Dragic presented with 'Apple of Inspiration' from Slovenian president". Retrieved 21 February 2015.

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