Goran Dragic's 'Night of the Dragon,' explained: Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic among stars to play in farewell game | Sporting News United Kingdom

Goran Dragic’s ‘Night of the Dragon,’ explained: Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic among stars to play in farewell game | Sporting News United Kingdom

Posted by Admin August 23, 2024 NBA

15-year NBA veteran Goran Dragic has decided to call it a career, but not before stepping on the court alongside some of the NBA’s biggest stars one final time. Dragic, also known as “The Dragon” during his NBA career, will be honored in a farewell charity game cleverly titled “Night of the Dragon.”

Among the stars slated to play in Dragic’s honor are Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. As it turns out, the aforementioned four aren’t just united by their 16 combined All-NBA First-Team appearances — they each share a great appreciation for Dragic.

The game, which will be played in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s Stozice Arena, will be one final grand gesture to honor Dragic’s accomplishments in the NBA and internationally.

Here is more to know about the game and those coming together in Dragic’s honor.

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Goran Dragic’s ‘Night of the Dragon,’ game explained

The farewell game will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24. While the list of participants is star-studded, teams will not be set until after a draft, which will be held at a gala dinner on Friday, Aug. 23.

Dragic’s eponymous foundation is sponsoring the event and proceeds will go to charity.

The game will pit Team Gogi against Team Luka, which likely means that Dragic and Doncic will be the game’s two captains. Like Doncic, Dragic hails from Slovenia. The two competed alongside one another internationally and led their country to an incredible EuroBasket title in 2017.

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Who is playing in Goran Dragic’s ‘Night of the Dragon’ game?

In addition to Doncic and the three MVPs, the list of current and former NBA players is headlined by Leandro Barbosa, Boban Marjanovic and Dragic’s brother, Zoran.

Here is a full list of players and coaches who are confirmed participants at the event:

Leandro Barbosa
Sana Becirovic
Miroslav Beric
Jaka Blazic
Dejan Bodiroga
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Primoz Brezec
Vlatko Cancar
Aleksandar Capin
Predrag Danilovic
Ziga Dimec
Luka Doncic
Zoran Dragic
Marko Guduric
Nikola Jokic
Nebosja Joksimovic
Jaka Lakovic
Robin Lopez
Domain Lorbek
Erazem Lorbek
Boban Marjanovic
Edo Muric
Bostjan Nachbar
Steve Nash
Rasho Nesterovic
Alexey Nikolic
Dirk Nowitzki
Sasha Pavlovic
Klemen Prepelic
Vladimir Radmanovic
Matic Rebec
Josh Richardson
Luis Scola
Marko Simonovic
Matjaz Smodis
Uros Slokar
Beno Udrih
Gasper Vidmar
Nikola Vucevic
Sasa Zagorac
Miha Zupan

Other notable names involved in other capacities include Alvin Gentry, Kevin McHale, Chris Quinn and Hall of Famer Chris Bosh, who will be on hand but will not participate.

Goran Dragic NBA stats

Dragic, the 45th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, appeared in 946 games over 15 seasons. He spent time with the Suns (2008-2011, 2012-15), Rockets (2011-12), Heat (2015-2021), Raptors (2021), Nets (2021-22), Bulls (2022-23) and Bucks (2023).

Dragic’s final season with the Suns saw him win Most Improved Player and earn All-NBA Third Team honors. He was named an All-Star during the 2017-18 season with the Heat.