Goran Dragic, the former Slovenian basketball player, spoke on the OGs podcast with Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller about the Yugoslavia national team.
Goran Dragic explained to Americans how difficult it would be for them to cope with the national team of that country because, among other reasons, Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic would play together for it.
“The former country was Yugoslavia. You have five or six countries. Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. The war started in 1991. We split up. If we go back to that time, imagine the national team. Drazen Petrovic, Kukoc, Dino Radja, Vlade Divac” said the Slovenian basketball player, and the Americans continued to listen with full attention.
Dragic then explained on the example of how the Yugoslav national team would look today.
“Even now, if we had remained the same country, you would have Luka, Jokic, Vucevic, Bogdanovic. We can play with you guys” said Dragic.
The Americans pointed out that it would be a great game to watch.With the players already mentioned, it would indeed be fascinating to see the rest of the team composed of seasoned NBA and EuroLeague talents. Additionally, there are players like Bojan Bogdanovic, Dario Saric, Vasilije Micic, Ivica Zubac, Jusuf Nurkic, Nikola Jokic, Mario Hezonja, and Dzanan Musa.
When we add to that the fact that such a team would be coached by perhaps the most decorated European coach of all time, Zeljko Obradovic, then Dragic’s statement truly carries weight.
Luka Doncic must trust his teammates more
Goran Dragic also believes Luka Doncic must trust his teammates more if he wants to win a championship.
“I think so, he can win, he just needs to change a little bit, maybe trust his teammates more. I’m not saying, because he does pass the ball, but just get off the ball a little bit more. And because of, you know, if you have the ball so much in your hand you get tired, and then it’s a long season and even in the playoffs you know I think that’s too much.”