Goran Dragic

by phxsunsfanatic on Sep 5, 2010 11:23 PM MDT

Well i don't know what you people think about Goran Dragic, but i believe he has a very promising future. Now i'm really starting to hear that he's the next Steve Nash. NO! But, he has the potential to do great things like Steve, and you also have to consider that Steve is Goran's mentor. Even though their game is completely different from one another, Goran is extremely talented. He can do it all, he can shoot from 3-point range, mid-range, and he can break down the defense and get into the paint. He has a good release, he is very quick and suddle. But there are some things that I think he needs to develop such as mental toughness and consistency. Now, he's a player who can easily go for a solid 10 points a game, probably more, but yet there are times when he shows a "whatever" effort in games or he just doesn't want to give it his all. I understand that players have "OFF" days but I sometimes notice this too much from him. But other than that, i can't wait to see what he will do for the suns this coming season.

P.S. you have to remember that he's in the FIBA world cup which means he's been practicing during the off-season. If you look at everything he did last season, aren't you guys excited to see what he will do this coming season? xD

GO SUNS ! ! !! ! ! ! ! !!

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From what I hear it's never "whatever" with Goran

its that he’s deferring to veteran players and doesn’t think he should take over. Until the coach tells him to. At which time he gets aggressive. He just needs to mature more.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Sep 5, 2010 11:41 PM MDT reply actions

+1

Goran isn’t lacking in effort or work; he sometimes lacks in aggressiveness and confidence. I hope that, in time, he truly becomes The Dragon. Cuz, if he breathed fire, he’d be really hard to guard. Or, more realistically, he’ll develop the mental toughness to meet any challenge. I actually think situations like Vujabitch getting on him are valuable. He needs to learn to overcome stuff like that.

by East Bay Ray on Sep 6, 2010 12:33 AM MDT up reply actions

but he already did overcome Vujabitch

Sasha got into Goran’s head in game 5. Yet in Game 6, it was Goran getting the better of him, nearly sparking a Suns come-from-behind win.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Sep 6, 2010 8:07 AM MDT up reply actions

That was my point, that it was a valuable experience for Goran.

But, also keep in mind that while Vujabitch might have been the first attack dog unleashed on Goran, he won’t be the last one. As Goran gets better, teams will assign guys to jack with him more, like what Nash faces. Meeting those challenges will be an ongoing process.

by East Bay Ray on Sep 6, 2010 1:38 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree with you, Ray.

Every accomplishment is a brick in the wall. He’s not achieved that consistency yet, and I’m not positive that he will develop it totally until he’s the starter. But so much of what he does depends on knowing he can do it. I think the big quarter against the Spurs was seminal, because it wasn’t predicated on an emotional incident.
He’s still young, and a little bit fragile, but I’m sure glad that Gentry is his coach – I think most other coaches in this league would destroy him. Porter nearly did. I think Alvin can be the difference in Goran being a very good player and a star.

Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy

by haremoor on Sep 6, 2010 9:49 AM MDT up reply actions

I don't agree with this portion

I think most other coaches in this league would destroy him

that paints Goran as weak-minded, and I believe that he is strong-minded but overly nice and respectful. Porter got to him because he was a rookie and wasn’t sure himself that he belonged. But once he got past that first season, I think many many coaches would have given him reign to succeed.

I do agree that Goran may not be as good as he can be until he’s a starter at PG. Once that happens, we will see another spike.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Sep 6, 2010 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions

Maybe I could have phrased it better -

He would have withered under many different coaches who were unwilling to give him the time to grow. Guys like Phil Jackson have a short leash, guys like Nate McMillan have a set agenda. My point is that Goran is thriving under Gentry, and wouldn’t if he was the square peg with a ‘round hole’ coach.

Auntie Em: Hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.
Dorothy

by haremoor on Sep 6, 2010 1:32 PM MDT up reply actions

Oh Lord.

I hated Terry Porter… I think Goran has to be pretty strong-minded after having to spend his rookie year being treated so meanly by Terry Porter! I don’t know much about other coaches, but I do agree with being very glad Alvin Gentry is coach.. His patience and understanding, while still doing the right thing for the team at the time, is one of my favorite things about him.

"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."

by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 6, 2010 1:36 PM MDT up reply actions

I agree with what is being said in the comments here..

I don’t think Goran has ever really had a “whatever” attitude. I think it’s most always been a confidence issue. I believe he will continue to improve, maybe not as drastically as this past season, but rather consistently. It just seems part of his nature to continuously learn and improve whether it be a vast improvement, or just a small change in his game.

"If the Suns can shock the world
Goran Dragic is the name."

by Dragic_is_Magic on Sep 6, 2010 1:31 PM MDT reply actions

Agreed.

It’s all about confidence. I think he’ll turn into a Manu type of player. He’s got a decent all around game. With maturity and continuing skill development, he could very well be one of the better guards in the league.

Steve Nash is my mancrush. But Goran Dragic is the 2nd coming of Manu Ginobili, which makes him just as tasty.

by NashMV3 on Sep 7, 2010 1:38 AM MDT up reply actions

He has to get better

The FIBA has been some invaluable experience for him.

And I see him bringing it all back to the Suns. Expect Reduced Minutes for Nash and Increased Minutes for Goran this year. Allowing him a chance to play some minutes with the SUNS starters. Remember, Starters are usually better finishers of Plays. Nash plays between 28-30 Minutes for the year. rest goes to Goran with additional 3-5 minutes at SG.

PORTER really messed with his head for his rookie year. But I still remember Steve’s comments saying that he will blossom. I couldn’t find it now.
But, the kid has a great work ethic, decent head on his shoulders. Eg. Willingness to play Second Fiddle to Lakovic in Slovenia without any complaints. It seems like he has EARNED the trust of his coach and then become the TOP DOG in the Slovenian Outfit.

That’s the way you earn time / minutes and respect.

by SS21 on Sep 7, 2010 8:43 AM MDT reply actions