FIBA World Cup: The Goran Dragic Show

Goran Dragic stole the show yesterday as Slovenia beat Korea 89-72 in the FIBA World Cup.

Dragic scored 22 points and had four assists as Slovenia improved their record to 3-0 and they are now positioned at the top of their group.  They remain the only unbeaten team in the Las Palmas, Canary Islands pool. The Slovenians led by one point at halftime before outscoring the South Koreans 49-33 in the second half.

Goran Dragic is averaging 20.3 points on 71% shooting from the floor. 

Together with his brother Zoran, Dragic has helped spearhead one of FIBA’s most impressive offensive attacks—an offense set up on aggressive dribble penetration and hitting open shooters. Although they are in one of the tournament’s weaker groups, Slovenia has a chance to set itself up nicely for the forthcoming knockout round. And Dragic, with his whirling-dervish drives and precise touch, stands to be the man to make it happen.

Sooner or later, Slovenia’s size and lack of consistent defense are bound to catch up to them. For right now, though, few players have paralleled last year’s NBA success into full-on FIBA magic quite like Slovenia’s favorite son.

Goran Dragic said, “Their energy is unbelievable,” Dragic told ESPN’s Marc Stein following the USA vs. Slovenia recent FIBA team-up. “It’s hard. Especially on the pick-and-roll tonight, I didn’t see any solutions.”

For any fans looking for a filler to hold them over until Phoenix Suns basketball returns, the FIBA World Cup is the thing to watch.

For all of the latest FIBA World Cup news, stick with us at Heat Waved and check back daily to read more about your favorite Arizona teams.