Goran Dragić: Underrated Career!

A ton of players have retired during this past off-season. Marking the end of the 2010s. With Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose saying goodbye to the game they played for 10-plus years. One player who joins the club is Goran Dragić. An underrated player due to how talented the point guard position was. With talents like Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook winning MVPs and dominating. It was no wonder that Goran would not get media love. Despite that, he was still able to lead his teams to success and get accolades in the process. Goran will go down as one of the most underrated players of the 2010s.

Goran Dragić spent his early career playing in his home country, Slovenia, and Spain. Developing his game in the European league. The San Antonio Spurs drafted him after he became a legend overseas. Goran became one of the greatest second-round picks, 45th overall. Then, getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. They wanted to move on from their aging, former MVP point guard, Steve Nash. Goran had a very slow start in the beginning of his career.

The second-round prospect was not hyped. Dragić was not someone whom people hyped up to be one of the best guards in the league. It gave him the flexibility to develop his game. In one of his early years, he had an incredible performance against the Spurs. Where he dominated the fourth quarter. Scoring 23 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter. It was impressive to see a player from Europe put on a show against one of the best teams of that decade. Goran was a key player in that sweep against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Phoenix Suns made a huge trade. Sending Goran Dragić to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Aaron Brooks. Then the lockout season happened. Dragic went back to Europe and played for Saski Baskonia Spain. Goran played off the bench for future competitor Kyle Lowry. Then Lowry dealt with a bacterial infection. This gave the young player a chance to show out. Earning himself Western Conference Player of the Week. Then in 2012, Goran Dragić was a free agent.

Goran Dragić decided to take his talent back to the Phoenix Suns. The team that drafted him and gave him the chance to shine. Dragić replaced Steve Nash, who went to LA to team up with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard. He continued to improve. His first year with the Suns was a losing season, but he was still able to put up some awesome games. When he had a 14-assist game against the Trailblazers. Or when he almost had a triple-double against the Nets. Every season, Goran has been able to make improvements.

The Suns then went on and brought in another point guard. Eric Bledsoe was now playing for the Phoenix Suns. He moved to the shooting guard spot. In February, they named him the Western Conference Player of the Month. He had one of his noteworthy games where he dropped 33 points against the Grizzlies. Goran was becoming one of the league's most underrated players.

In 2014, the Suns were one of the most exciting teams in the league. The duo of Goran Dragić and Eric Bledsoe was able to lead the Suns to a 48-34 record. But fell short of making it to the playoffs due to how talented the West was. Goran had one of his best seasons up to that point. Winning most improved player that year and making Third All-NBA. He averaged 20 points and 6 rebounds a game. This made him one of the best guards in the conference. Then the Suns decided to go in a different direction.

With LeBron James going back to Cleveland, the Heat traded for Goran Dragić. Along with Luol Deng and Amar'e Stoudemire. Joining the two superstars and champions, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. The Heat were looking to build on their two stars without LeBron James. Bringing in a player who can become the third option. But Bosh started to deal with blood clots, which cost his career to end short.

In 2016, the heat was a lot different. It was clear that Chris Bosh wasn't healthy enough to play in the NBA. The Heat had Goran Dragić and Dwyane Wade as their two best players. The team was a mix of veteran players and young guys like Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson. The Heat that year were incredible in the playoffs. The Heat beat the Hornets in seven. Dragić dropped 25 points to end the series. Then lost to the Raptors in the semi-finals. The Heat were underdogs and the most entertaining team that post-season.

In the following off-season, D. Wade decided to take his talents to Chicago. Which forced Pat Riley and co. to make another pivot. Bringing in underdog talents that people have written off. Dion Waiters and Tyler Johnson were the biggest additions to the team. That year, Miami started the season off slow. Then going on a crazy 13-game winning streak. Showing that the organization hasn't lost its step. Despite losing Dwayne Wade. Goran Dragić was able to make his first All-Star appearance that year. Averaging 20 points and 6 rebounds that season.

In his 2017 overseas run, Goran Dragić announced he would retire from FIBA Tournament that year. Which made it special for the Slovenian team. To win the FIBA Cup for their home nation. Dragic was the captain who led the way, along with an up-and-coming Luka Doncic. Scoring 35 points in the finals. Earning themselves the championship.

Dragić continued to lead the Heat to wins. Leading the team to the sixth seed. With the addition of future star Bam Adebayo. Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra continued to build on their success. Then in 2019, the Heat fell short to make the playoffs, but that did not stop Miami from bringing in a superstar.

Jimmy Butler, to the surprise of the whole world, signed with the Miami Heat. It shocked the whole world, considering he was playing with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The Heat, led by Jimmy, made the fifth seed, but then the whole world changed. The pandemic happened, and the whole world stopped. Including the NBA, which took them time to form a new league. Ushering in the Bubble era. Where the Heat thrived, going to the finals.

In the 2020 season, Goran had an amazing postseason. Averaging 19 points per game, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds. But for the Heat, they had a huge heartbreak. Losing Dragić in the first game of the finals. Which cut his finals short. Still, the Heat were able to win two games in that series. An impressive series by Butler, Bam, and the rookie Tyler Herro. Then in the 2021 off-season, Goran had to find a new home.

In 2021, Goran Dragic signed with Toronto. In exchange for Kyle Lowry. Teaming with Pascal Siakam and Fred Vanvleet. Eventually getting traded to the San Antonio Spurs and agreeing to a buyout. In 2022, Goran Dragić found himself in the Brooklyn Nets. Playing next to on-and-off Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Nets were a shitshow during that team. Which ended disappointingly, losing to the Boston Celtics in round one. Then Dragić had a short season with the Bulls and Bucks. On December 31, 2023, Goran Dragić announced that he was retiring from basketball.

In August 2024, the Goran Dragić farewell tour took place. With players like Nikola Jokic, Vucevic, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Luka Doncic playing. Along with some legends like Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash. Chris Bosh came out of retirement and played in the special event. It was a celebration for an incredible career. After 15 years in the NBA, there is no doubt that Dragic is one of the most underrated players of the past decade. Congrats on him for retiring from the game of basketball.

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