Many past and present basketball starts were on display during the “Night of the Dragon” Goran Dragic Farewell Game. Former and current NBA MVPs, world champions, and international stars linked up to send the now-retired Slovenian All-Star off the right way.
Luka Doncic, Dragic’s roommate during their time together on the Slovenian national team, was the other captain. He did an excellent job drafting a talented squad that included Nikola Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dirk Nowitzki, Robin Lopez, and other stars.
Team Luka had a team on paper to dominate, but it was Team Gogi’s night. The team, comprised of Dragic, Steve Nash, Nikola Vucevic, Vladimir Radmanovic, and Chris Bosh, took home the victory.
The dynamic combo of Jokic and Luka went to work in the first half and took a five-point lead into the break. Dragic’s team roared back, winning the charity game 106-86.
It is safe to say Team Doncic might have taken their foot of the gas down the stretch.
It was a special night for Dragic and Slovenian basketball fans as they saw a player who inspired a generation of European guards lace it up one last time.
“Back in the day, there was always this talk that the Europeans only have bigs that can play, and that was big for European guards, that era with Tony Parker and Goran coming in and showing that European guards can lead a team,” said Nowitzki during a tribute video played during the game.
The event gave an inside look at how much Dragic has meant to players like Doncic, and he received as much love for who he is away from the court as on it.
“Off the court, he was the first one to come and speak to me and ask about the family, and he is just a kindhearted man that always wants to help out and was a heck of a player and heck of a competitor,” said Nowitzki.
