Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dragic takes in All-Star memories
Heat guard calls experience ‘unbelievable’
LOS ANGELES — When Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic was young, he looked forward to this time of year.
He would sit down in the front of the television and await to watch some of his favorite players participate in the NBA All-Star Game. He fawned over Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson. He mimicked Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.
One day, he hoped, he would join them and play before a crowd full of celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock.
That day finally arrived Sunday.
Dragic was on the floor with the greatest collection of basketball players at Staples Center. He is the ninth Heat player in franchise history and first since Dwyane Wade in 2016 to play in the game.
“You’re dreaming about this moment, some day as a kid to be in their shoes and to play in front of this amazing crowd,” Dragic said.
Dragic was the first Team LeBron reserve announced by comedian Kevin Hart during the pregame player introductions. Hart began with, “They gave him the nickname ‘The Dragon’ because like a dragon, his breath will kill you,” and ended with “give it up for … Goran Dragic.”
“This is something that is completely new to me and my family but we want to enjoy every moment,” Dragic said.
Dragic flew both of his parents from Slovenia to watch the historic moment. His wife and children were also on hand to
witness him become the first Slovenian to play in the game. He teamed with the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook, who are regarded as Top 10 players in the NBA.
“Everybody is such a great player,” Dragic said. “Just to be part of that team is something unbelievable for me.”
It was much different experience from when Dragic faces them during the regular season. Being teammates for a couple days provided opportunity for them to become better acquainted. Their competition was put on hold for a weekend. That will resume once Dragic, who averages a team-high 17.4 points and 4.7 assists, leads the Heat on their final playoff push the remaining 24 games of the season.
“Usually when you play against LeBron, Westbrook, you don’t exchange a lot of words, you don’t know them personally,” Dragic said. “But in the locker room we did talk a little bit and it’s really fascinating how good guys they are. You kind of know the different side of them, not only as a basketball player but as a human being and I think that’s really important.”
Dragic entered the game with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left in the first quarter. He was the sixth Team LeBron player off the bench. A minute after entering, Dragic sank his first shot attempt — a 17-footer — to pull his team to within 38-31 against Team Steph, named after Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
What made the moment even more special was how the Heat showed their support for Dragic and teammate Wayne Ellington, who competed in Saturday’s 3-point contest, during the weekend. Forward Udonis Haslem, guard Dwyane Wade and general manager Andy Elisburg and team president Pat Riley were among those in attendance.
“It just shows that the love is real,” Ellington said. “I appreciate those guys. I wouldn’t be able to be in this position without those guys, obviously for what I do and what I bring to the team. I’m just ecstatic. It feels good. It really feels good to have their support.”