Battle between Balkans

Raptors’ Dragic knows what makes fellow Slovenian Doncic tick

It is a long relationship, one that spans generations and the world, and has given Goran Dragic a knowledge of Luka Doncic that’s greater than any other player in the NBA.

Decades ago in the domestic Slovenian league, Dragic was a teammate of Doncic’s father, Sasa. Dragic has played on the national team with the current Dallas Mavericks star for years. The Raptors guard’s understanding of what makes Doncic one of the best players in the league is unsurpassed.

“I’ve known him since he was five years old. I played with his dad — his dad was my mentor — so I’m really connected with Luka and his family,” Dragic said of his countryman this past week. “He’s just a pure natural talent that you just don’t see.”

Doncic made his first Toronto appearance since 2018 when the Mavericks played their lone game of the season at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night.

He was exceptional for the Mavericks, pouring in 27 points with 11 assists and nine rebounds as Dallas pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 103-95 victory.

He arrived as one of the ascendant stars in the league: sixth in most valuable player voting last season, 2019 rookie of the year, a two-time all-star in his first three seasons and twice a firstteam all-NBA selection.

The 22-year-old guard is a nightmare for opponents and the recipient of a maximum five-year, $207-million (U.S.) contract extension last summer. It was well deserved, and Doncic has yet to reach his prime.

“There is obviously a size and strength and incredible craftiness to his game,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said before Saturday night’s game. “There’s the deep shooting. There’s the physicality with which he goes to the basket. And then there’s the incredible vision to kind of fling it around if you’re putting too much attention on him. There’s a

lot there.”

None of that surprises Dragic. He knows Doncic’s history, his skill, his temperament.

“First of all, he’s really smart,” Dragic said. “He sees the game two or three steps ahead of him and he’s a willing passer. He can score, but he’s going to get everybody else involved.

“I think that’s a unique thing to have, because you know you can score but you want to take care of your guys first. Then it opens up for him and he does what he does.”

There are several characteristics that make Doncic unique and run counter to preconceptions about modern-day lead guards.

At six-foot-seven and about 230 pounds he’s big enough to play inside, but he’s also got tremendous touch on his jump shot and is willing to let it fly from just about anywhere on the court.

“He’s not a rocket coming off of screens or any of that stuff,” Nurse said.

“He does get the ball up the floor with pretty good pace a lot, too. I’m just saying it’s not a speed and quickness or athleticism thing. It’s in a different way. It’s tremendous strength, balance. It’s a rhythm.”

That variety comes from his European background. He’s been a pro since his mid-teens and was the EuroLeague MVP in 2018 as an 18-year-old. That’s an accomplishment that doesn’t carry nearly as much weight in North America as it should, something Dragic knows well.

“It’s definitely different, because back in Europe the basketball is way different,” said Dragic, who cut his professional teeth in Slovenia and Spain. “It’s basically like San Antonio back in the day when they shared the ball a lot. There’s no (defensive) three seconds, so everybody’s inside the paint. So the whole team needs to work for a shot.

“It’s a lot of passing and a lot of reading of situations. That’s why when you’re playing there you have to learn the tactics and everything. It’s not so much (isolation) game and all that. So maybe because of all that, when you’re young you get, maybe, I don’t know, understanding of the game better.”

Doncic does have an intense nature as a player, but also a carefree attitude away from the game.

The two were teammates on the Slovenia team that won the 2017 EuroBasket title — the third-most prestigious gold medal in international basketball, behind the Olympics and World Cup.

“Off the court he’s really funny, happy,” Dragic said.

“He always jokes around and always has a good time. You can even see on the floor he’s always smiling, enjoying the game.

“That’s why I always said — even four years ago when we played for the national team — he doesn’t feel pressure. He just goes out there and does his job, and that’s something really rare.”

Doncic has a combative side on the court — he picked up 15 technical fouls last season for arguing with officials. It’s a common characteristic, Dragic joked.

“All the Balkans, we’re all a little bit feisty,” he said. “Sometimes when we don’t play good we get a little bit crazy, but that’s natural.”