SUMMARY
- Goran Dragic claims European basketball players focus on enhancing their IQ in the sport over building their skills.
- The former Heat star claims he couldn't shoot on entering the league.
Goran Dragic is one of many European basketball players that found success in the NBA. Recently, there has been a rise in European stars dominating the league just like the most recent No.1 overall pick or Luka Doncic. Such athletes are slowly being incorporated into the GOAT debate which also brings a lot of recognition to the basketball community overseas.
Luka Doncic, soon to be All-Defensive First Team member. pic.twitter.com/0osDLO1a3I
— 🌟 (@IsoHeavy) April 24, 2024
Just like Doncic, the former Miami Heat star was born in Slovenia. He also competed overseas and won several accolades the Slovenian League Sportsman of the Year in 2017, the Slovenian League Cup, Eurostar Player of the Year in 2017, and the Basque Cup in 2011. Dragic last played in the NBA during the 2022-23 season. He joined the league in 2008 which means he competed for 15 years in the NBA. He has also competed alongside some of the greatest players ever.
Goran Dragic brings out a major difference in basketball upbringing between USA and Europe
The sport of basketball is often played differently in various parts of the world. Some leagues have different physical differences on the court, while most other leagues vary in style of play and rules. Goran Dragic discussed the difference in upbringing of a basketball player in the United States versus Europe, while he made an appearance on The OGs Podcast hosted by Udonis Haslem.
He said, “When you’re young, they teach you more as a system. To know how to play the system. They don’t give so much attention about dribbling, about athleticism. But it’s more like when you’re at a young age they already put you in the system… to play the right way.” Dragic added that basketball players in Europe are taught to increase game IQ while in the US, an athlete is trained to enhance skill.
The former NBA Most Improved Player of the Year claims this might be a reason why European stars dominate the NBA these days. However, adjusting to the NBA was different, as he said, “I always liked to play fast… but I was not a good shooter when I was young. In Europe I could get to the hoop… then I came to Phoenix Suns, first practice, Shaq was under the basket.”
He added, “So then I had floater, mid-range. When I [came] to the Heat, three-point [shot].” Dragic stated that it was easier to play against people with the same upbringing, however, playing against someone who was produced with skill forced him to improve his game.
Goran Dragic cannot pick between Nikola Jokic and Pau Gasol
When you talk about the best European stars who’ve played in the NBA, Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are two names that come to mind automatically. Goran Dragic revealed his top five European stars of all time, including Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Toni Kukoc, Dirk Nowitzki, and Doncic. However, Dragic was conflicted in choosing Jokic over Gasol, who happened to have played on the 2009 and 2010 LA Lakers championship rosters.
When you compare both stars, Gasol had spent a good amount of time leading the Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game on 50.7% shooting. Gasol was never necessarily a league-leading athlete though he was extremely good at his role. Jokic has averaged 20.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on 55.7% shooting throughout his career. Additionally, he was also Finals MVP in 2023 and he has also consistently led the league in various statistics as well.