By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Today, Drazen Petrovic would have turned 60. Sadly, his legendary legacy was interrupted by a tragic car accident back in 1993, and we can only remember his greatness. To celebrate his brother’s amazing career, Aleksandar Petrovic sat down with Ricardo Gonzalez from AS.
The current Brazil national team’s head coach recalled his early showdowns displayed with Cibona. “His four years at Cibona are the best moments in the history of an entire city. Between 1984 and 1988, basketball was experienced in Zagreb in a truly impressive way. Every game was sold out no matter who the opponent was. Everyone wanted to see Drazen, people came hours in advance”, he remembered.
Later on, in the 1988-1989 season, he joined Real Madrid. He was destined to do so. “I know that it was said that he was on the verge of signing for Barcelona. My opinion is that Drazen was predestined to play for Madrid, that that was his destiny”, Aco continued, while also recalling when he “massacred” him in clashes between the Spanish powerhouse and the Croatian team.
Aleksandar Petrovic also commented on Panathinaikos‘ interest in his brother after his magnificent 1992-93 season. Unfortunately, that was the last one he played before dying in Germany. “Aside from the NBA offers, there was one European club willing to pay Drazen as much money as he wanted. It was Panathinaikos, and that kept him calm”, he recalled.
However, he doesn’t think he would have returned to Europe. “After the European Championship in Germany, I think Drazen would have stayed in the NBA, signing for one of the three teams that were very interested in him: the [New Jersey] Nets, the [New York] Knicks, and the [Houston] Rockets“, he added.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA