Drazen Petrovic: The Trailblazing European Basketball Sensation
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Drazen Petrovic was a true standout in the NBA, known for his explosive scoring ability and exceptional proficiency in perimeter shooting. As a star player for both the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Jersey Nets, Petrovic made a significant impact on the league during his all-too-brief career.
Petrovic’s scoring prowess was nothing short of remarkable, consistently netting over 20 points per game, making him one of the most elite scoring guards in the NBA. His performances earned him respect not only from fellow NBA players but also from young basketball enthusiasts growing up during his era.
Among those admirers was none other than LeBron James, who once regarded Drazen as the greatest European player of all time. During the 2013 All-Star Weekend, LeBron expressed his admiration, highlighting Petrovic’s remarkable shooting ability and fearlessness in the face of any challenge.
Petrovic’s Candidacy for Best European Player Ever
Drazen Petrovic’s claim as the best European player of all time is backed by his revolutionary style of play. While the likes of Reggie Miller and Mark Price were renowned shooters of their era, they often operated as spot-up shooters, relying on their teammates to create scoring opportunities. Petrovic, however, excelled at creating his own shots, breaking down defenders with his dribbling and confidently pulling up from anywhere on the court.
Throughout his five-season NBA career, Petrovic maintained a remarkable 43.7% three-point shooting average on 2.6 attempts per game, a feat virtually unheard of during that period. This was an era dominated by inside and mid-range scoring, making Petrovic a true pioneer ahead of his time. In the current NBA landscape, we see players like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard launching up to 10 three-point attempts per game, revolutionizing the game further, and Petrovic’s success is undeniable evidence that he would have thrived in today’s game.
Beyond his offensive prowess, Petrovic was often described as an “annoying” player to compete against. Reggie Miller, who frequently faced off against Drazen, admitted his difficulty in guarding the Croatian guard. He emphasized the challenge posed by Petrovic, who not only scored effortlessly but also engaged in on-court banter, which often got under Miller’s skin.
Petrovic’s Enduring Legacy
Tragically, Drazen Petrovic met an untimely end in a fatal car accident in Germany during the summer of 1993. However, his memory continues to hold a significant place in the Brooklyn Nets’ legacy, with his No. 3 jersey proudly displayed in the rafters of the Barclays Center.
Drazen Petrovic was a genuine trailblazer in the world of basketball, leaving an indelible mark that paved the way for the flourishing European presence in the NBA. With over 100 European players now in the league, including MVPs like Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s clear that Petrovic’s legacy played a pivotal role in shaping the NBA’s diverse landscape.
His story serves as a symbol for hardworking athletes, underscoring that success is not solely determined by physical gifts. Through unwavering determination and relentless hard work, Petrovic ascended to become one of the league’s finest, leaving an enduring legacy despite crossing over from “The Pond.”
“As in every job, including basketball, there are moments when things don’t go well. You need to get out of that situation as soon as possible,” Petrovic once wisely stated. “Normally, with as much training as possible, but the most important thing is that the player has a lot of self-confidence and believes in himself.”
Known as the “Mozart of Basketball,” Drazen Petrovic remains one of the most poignant “what-if” stories in NBA history. At the time of his unfortunate passing at the young age of 28, the New Jersey Nets were on the cusp of becoming a formidable force in the 1990s Eastern Conference, with the potential to challenge the mighty Chicago Bulls. Regrettably, destiny had other plans.
Image Source: Google
