This year's Basketball European Championship will be held from September 1 to 18, and the teams currently participating in the competition are actively preparing for the warm-up game. In a warm-up match that ended yesterday, Slovenia narrowly beat Turkey 104-103.
In that game, Doncic had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in 27 minutes, and simply did not play in overtime. In overtime, Dragic became the hero who saved the team, shooting the winning three-pointer in the final 18.2 seconds.
Only to see Dragic break through the direction change, dribble behind the emergency stop, retreat to open up the shooting space, and lean back for three points in one go. Throughout the game, Dragic scored 28 points and he was once again Batman who saved the team.
Remember in 2017, when Doncic was a hairy boy, Dragic led Slovenia to win the European Championship for the first time in the history of the Slovenian team. Before the start of that European Championship, Dragic had said that he would retire from the Slovenian men's basketball team after the tournament.
Winning the European championship was a perfect retirement from the national team, which was a perfect ending. However, in June this year, Dragic could not bear the loneliness and decided to return to the national team to play in the European Championships. Returning to the national team after five years, Dragic contributed a three-pointer in the warm-up game.
Last season was tough for Dragic, who was traded to the Raptors by the Heat as part of an exchange for Lowry last offseason. In the Raptors Dragic was not happy, only played five games for the Raptors, then chose to break up with the team, waiting for a buyout and then looking for the next home.
Dragic used to be very close to the championship, and in the first game of the 2020 Finals, Dragic went off injured after scoring 6 points, and was diagnosed with a torn plantar fascia after the game, which was enough to keep him out of the finals.
In the second to fifth games that followed, Dragic watched the game on the field, and he was so anxious that he even shed tears on the sidelines. In an interview, he said: "I was asking why God made me hurt now. "When he came out with an injury in the sixth game, even running was a luxury. Two years on, Dragic's obsession with the championship has not changed.
He went to the good big brother Nash to join the Nets with great anticipation, expecting to get a championship ring at the Nets. However, the ideal is always full of reality is always bone, and in the chaotic Nets Dragic eventually became a passerby.
In 16 regular-season games for the Nets, Dragic averaged 7.3 points per game and shot just 37.6 percent from the field, and although he still had 4.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds, it was no longer comparable to his heat.
By the playoffs, Dragic had signs of recovery, losing to the Celtics in his first game. Dragic shot 6-of-11 and had 14 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal. However, the Nets were swept away in three consecutive defeats, and Dragic could not do anything about it.
Dragic chose to sign with the Bulls in the offseason, but still did not choose to reunite with his little brother Doncic in the Mavericks. His role in the Bulls will also be that of a backup point guard, but Ball, who is suffering from injuries, may give Dragic more opportunities.
During the bull's medical examination, the bull advised him not to participate in this year's European Championships, but Dragic decided to participate again, he was eager to get another medal, and the matter was ultimately decided by the players.
Speaking about his role in the national team, Dragic said: "Now I won't play as long as I used to, everything depends on how I feel. My character is definitely different as before, I used to be Batman a lot, now I'm Robin.
Luca's role has definitely changed a lot, and I'm sure everyone has their own role and won't complain. ”
At last year's Olympics, Doncic led the team to the final four, and ultimately missed the medal. With one more Dragic, Slovenia could go further.
Dragic is 36 years old, and as he says he still loves to play basketball, he still has oil in his tank, both in the NBA and the national team.
For Dragic, it doesn't matter whether he is Batman or Robin, as strong as Batman also needs the help of Robin and Afu. Dragic held up the torch and waited for Doncic to officially pick him up.