Before the game Zoran Dragić said Mexico was a team 5 times better than Australia (or at least they should take them as such). He said they'd have to be even better then yesterday. And he meant it. He came up with the ball right after the jump, getting an easy 2 at the rim. He would go on to score 13 points in the first 6 minutes of the game. He had to sit down after his 2nd foul and wouldn't come back until the 3rd quarter. He finished with 22 on perfect 8/8 shooting, 3 steals and 2 assists.
Slovenia got of to a great start going on a 12:0 run in the first 3 minutes of the game. By the 6th minute mark the score was 20:4. Goran Dragic was looking great as well, until he made 2 turnovers, got a steal, drew a foul and made 2 free throws in a span of 30 seconds. Zdovc took him out for literally a minute to catch his breath and then he was back to his fire breathing ways; making a 3 and getting to the basket for a Dragon 2 on the next possession. He had 11 points in the half and Slovenia lead 46:37 at halftime.
In the second half, with scorching hot Zoran Dragić back in the line-up Slovenia came back even stronger. By the 25 minute mark we were up by 12 and two 3s by Balažič later the score read 65:50. The first 3 minutes of the 4th featured a combine effort of the Dragić brothers that resulted in 9 points and an assist by Zoki to Slokar for an easy jam. Everyone was doing their part on defence as well and Slovenia went on an 11:0 run, basically sealing the win at 76:50. Gogi left with 6:49 left in the 4th and did not return for the rest of the game, playing just under 26 minutes (the Suns will like that). Coach Zdovc gave the final minutes to some of our younger guys who managed to hold off the Mexicans for the rest of the game, making the final score 89:68.
The team has obviously found the chemistry they needed and Goran is proving to be a great leader, getting his teammates in place while on court and supportingly cheering when on the bench. When his bro made that pass he was all smiles, pumping his fist in the air. At points it still felt like they were having a brotherly game within the game, trying to outdo each other while simultaneously working together. I was a little surprised that Zdovc kept Zoki out for so long. I'm guessing he didn't just forget he had 2 players named Dragić on the team. He was probably worried the rest of the team would start slacking of if everything came to easy. Either way I am very happy Zoki is showing what he's made of even in such limited minutes.
Some highlights can be found here including the 13 1st quarter points by Zoran Dragić.