It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that this is happening in my hometown of Ljubljana. That so many NBA legends, stars, and other notables have actually come to Slovenia, a country of two million known for its natural beauty but not the easiest to reach by plane. One of my good friends was the mastermind behind this two-day event, and the sheer amount of work and preparation that went into it is staggering. The primary purpose of the two-day event and gala auction is to support charity efforts, specifically helping underprivileged children in Slovenia access sports programs across the country.
These are two busy days, so I won’t write a long story—hence this thread format, which allows you to chime in with questions or comments. But I do want to share some highlights for Mavericks fans, as there are plenty of familiar Mavericks faces around.
But first, the most important information: For all who want to watch the game featuring Goran Dragić, Luka Dončić, Steve Nash, and Dirk Nowitzki (not playing but present), along with Nikola Jokić and many other legends today, here is the key piece of information:
Where can you watch the 'I Feel Slovenia Night of the Dragon'? Here is the link to the official information. For viewers in the United States, the best option is through the NBA App, with the game starting at 1 PM CT.
Day 1 Highlights: Business Talks, Team Draft and Gala Dinner
Photos by Goran Dragić Foundation
NBA agent Bill Duffy, who represents Goran Dragić, Luka Dončić, and Steve Nash, joined Dirk Nowitzki in a discussion about leadership and the transition for basketball players after retirement.
A bit of history: one of Duffy's first clients in the region was another Slovenian, Rasho Nesterović, who won a title with the San Antonio Spurs. Nesterović was a childhood idol and mentor to Dragić (he is the godfather of Goran's children), which is how Goran and Slovenia came onto Duffy's radar. Many years later, they signed their most prominent Slovenian client, Luka Dončić. An interesting remark by Duffy during the business talk was how they carefully chose the destinations for his two Slovenian clients: ultimately placing Dragić behind Nash to find a mentor, and paving the way for Dončić to land in Dallas alongside Nowitzki. Another of Duffy’s clients and former Maverick, Josh Richardson, who was also Dragić's teammate with the Miami Heat, was spotted at the gala dinner.
Photos by Goran Dragić Foundation
Gala Dinner highlights included appearances from Goran Dragić, Luka Dončić, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Chris Bosh, former Mavericks assistant coach and Slovenian national team coach Igor Kokoškov (Dragić, Dončić and Kokoškov won the 2017 Eurobasket Championship together which remains the greatest achievement in Slovenian team sports), and Bogdan Bogdanović.
During the gala, Dončić and Dragić drafted their starting fives for the game. Dragić’s Team White will feature Steve Nash, Nikola Vučević, Vlatko Čančar, and Vladimir Radmanović. Meanwhile, Dončić’s Team Black will consist of three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, Bogdan Bogdanović, Luis Scola, and Robin Lopez.
Dončić jokingly said his big lineup would focus on post-up basketball, while Dragić warned his 50-year-old former Suns mentor, Nash, to be ready to push the ball and play fast.
This wraps up the Day 1 recap.
Day 2 Highlights: The Farewell Game
They say a picture is worth a thousand words—and video even more (I've embedded some of the live Twitter updates in the article), so I'll keep it brief and let the images do the talking. The game itself didn't feature any real basketball, but that was expected at such an event. Nonetheless, it was an eventful night, full of surprises and, most of all, it was great seeing the players happy, relaxed, and enjoying themselves.
Watching Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić play basketball together is always a delight, especially seeing them have fun on the bench.
Dončić attempting to join a fan's 10,000 euro half-court shot competition and playing with a t-shirt toss gun reminded us that his most memorable highlights in an All-Star-type game will probably never be on the court.
Igor Kokoškov receiving a standing ovation from the Slovenian crowd, in recognition of the 2017 EuroBasket title, was a special moment.
Boban Marjanović draining threes and receiving MVP chants brought back memories of his days with the Mavericks, when fans would go wild every time Bobi entered the game.
Seeing Steve Nash, at 50, shoot the basketball during shoot-around and casually sinking a one-handed (left hand) three-pointer reminds us—once a shooter, always a shooter.
Dirk Nowitzki walking onto the court in basketball shorts, despite not playing, brought both joyful and painful memories all at once.
Chris Bosh, surprising everyone by playing for the first time since 2016 alongside Dirk and Nash, dunking and showing real game emotions, brought up similar feelings.
Watching 6-foot-7 and even 7-foot-tall players compete in a 5-on-5 soccer game was unexpected. Seeing Nash and Dragić, for whom soccer was the first sport, show flashes of their soccer skills was a treat. Dončić may not have been as agile, but he was visibly thrilled when his team won the mini-game.
Finally, Goran ending his career with his father, brother, son, and nephew as his last teammates, and Dončić, as he has many times before for his teammates, ensuring Goran received the game ball, truly put a special cap on the night.
Great event and neat to hear from reporters who were present. Couple of questions:
Did Slovenian youth national team players/coaches attend? As in, the next generation who one day will represent their country- were they in attendance?
Any Spurs representatives present? A lot of deep connections from players there and fact that team drafted him initially.
I bet there was a lot of youth players and coaches in the attendance. There was a lot of ex-coaches from Goran on an levels at the game.
As for Spurs, I'm not sure if their representatives were there. But Rasho Nesterovic and Beno Udrih who both won titles with the Spurs were playing in the game.
Feel free to ask anything about the game here!
Great event and neat to hear from reporters who were present. Couple of questions:
Did Slovenian youth national team players/coaches attend? As in, the next generation who one day will represent their country- were they in attendance?
Any Spurs representatives present? A lot of deep connections from players there and fact that team drafted him initially.
Thanks Paolo!
I bet there was a lot of youth players and coaches in the attendance. There was a lot of ex-coaches from Goran on an levels at the game.
As for Spurs, I'm not sure if their representatives were there. But Rasho Nesterovic and Beno Udrih who both won titles with the Spurs were playing in the game.
Thanks for the recap of Day 1. Do you know the Chris Bosh connection? I can't seem to figure it out.
It's the Heat and Goran's time & connections there. Bosh, Chris Quinn (Heat long time assistant), Josh Richardson all part of that.