Goran Dragic takes his place in the Phoenix Suns roster – NBA News
As Goran Dragic displayed his new Number 1 jersey here in Phoenix on Thursday, he officially entered into a new phase of his life and the NBA career.
The 6 foot 3 inch point guard from Slovenia returns to the Phoenix Suns for a four year deal worth $30 million, after the Houston Rockets decided to part ways with him. And the returning Dragic is not the same
player or person that the Suns traded to Houston in the 2010-2011 NBA season.
“I'm a new guy now. I'm a different player, a different person from when I was here and I want to have a fresh start here. That's why I take a different number, No. 1. I think that's a good number for me,” said
Dragic at a news conference on Thursday.
Dragic was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2008 and he played for them in the next two seasons. He was traded in the 2010-2011 season to the Houston Rockets and that is what he needed.
In Phoenix, Dragic was a nobody, struggling to make a name for himself and buy playing time as a backup to legendary point guard Steve Nash. In Houston, he had the opportunity to prove his talent. And the opportunity
presented itself in the 2011-2012 season when Rockets starting point guard Kyle Lowry was sidelined with injury.
Dragic took the position of starting one guard and in the 28 games he started, Dragic averaged 18 points, 8.4 assists 1.82 steals per game.
"I think I improved a lot of things, especially how I run the team. I became more vocal on the court,” said Dragic.
Dragic will now become the starting point guard of a team which traded him only a season before. He will also become mentor to the Suns first round draft pick this year, Kendall Marshall from North Carolina.
Apart from that, Dragic will find a familiar face on the Suns roster in Luis Scola. The two played together in Houston since Dragic joined the Rockets. Scola was amnestied by the Houston Rockets last week and
the Suns placed the winning bid for his services, meaning Dragic will get to execute the offense with the forward.
“He grew as a player. And then when we assess now we have to do what's best for ourselves going forward and what's best for ourselves is bringing him back. We actually had no hesitation,” said Lon Babby, Suns
President of Basketball Operations.
It has been a gruelling journey for Dragic, one filled with uncertainty and disappointment. As a basketball player from Slovenia coming to a new country and a new culture, Dragic has paid his due to be where
he is today. He will get his chance to run the Suns next season when he takes the floor as the starting play maker.
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