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Today Goran Dragić announced he will play for Slovenian national team in Spain this summer. Contrary to reports he decided that after a month off he is in excellent health and wants to represent his country. I know some of you think that him playing is not good for Suns, but the truth is that barring a serious injury, playing in FIBA competitions has helped Goran grow as a leader and also insure that he comes to camp in top form which helps with the fast start to the season.

With this decision his status is cemented as a superstar in Slovenia and is one big result with the national team away from immortal status. The Suns should capitalize more on Dragić and Slovenian market. Sure we have only 2mil population but considering the team is not the Lakers who are nationally famous 2 mil is not to be neglected. For example if I go to the suns.com and try to order a Dragić T-shirt Slovenia is not even on the list of countries you can choose for. You have basketball superpowers like Iceland, Jamaica and Korea but no Slovenia, Croatia or Serbia. Sarver should come to one of the preparation matches in Slovenia to see that if someone is wearing a Slovenian national team jersey there is 90% it says Dragić on the back. And I personaly know a lot of people who would like to have a Suns Dragić jersey but simply can't get it here. And it's not like we are some third world country, we are part of EU for a decade. Time for Suns marketing to wake up!

Link to original article: http://www.rtvslo.si/sport/kosarka/na-svetovno-prvenstvo-z-goranom-dragicem/337793

Yessss Gogi, hell yes

Great news, he loves to play the game.

He is healthy after 1 month of rest so it is not a risky move.

This is not good news for the Suns. I think with how Goran plays, it is too much of a risk.he was wiped out after last summer, and took a bunch of nasty falls during that tourney.

I care very little about his market value, but I do care about what he brings to Suns on the floor.

RunDogGun wrote:This is not good news for the Suns. I think with how Goran plays, it is too much of a risk.he was wiped out after last summer, and took a bunch of nasty falls during that tourney.

I care very little about his market value, but I do care about what he brings to Suns on the floor.

It's horrible news. It took it's toll on him last year and it will take more of a toll each succeeding year especially once we start making the playoffs. It's true we might gain a little at the start of the season but we will again see Goran drop off during the last month or two. He's under a lot of pressure to play so I understand why he's doing it but it's just to much to demand of him IMO.

He loves representing his nation, nothing wrong with that. I think tourneys like these are valuable experiences for a team leader.

It's surely not a horrible news. Goran will gain even more confidency and power - everything he will need in Phoenix. And I personally think he has to do more on his condition this summer, so he will be able to go through the season. And remember - he had to carry the whole team half of the season because of Bledsoes injury. This year I hope it will be easier for him - and he is for sure capable of both, championship and a great NBA-season.

I think it's awesome he wants to help his country but as a suns fan this isn't the type of news that is good. He already admitted in the past that playing for country than right back to a long nba season wore him out. He is going to get burnt out by the last third of the season next year. It's going to happen.

Just like this last season we can't afford to have injuries like bledsoe's that will keep a key player out for long periods of time. We really need an offensive weapon besides goran and Bledsoe. If Bledsoe goes down again(which is a strong possibility and a reason why the suns should be hesitate to sign him to a max deal), goran will get burnt out faster.

Ryan Mcd needs to work his magic and get another star (perferably a star SF or PF) here and quick.

I have a great deal of respect for goran and playing his country but for selfish reasons I wish he wouldn't. I want a championship and don't want any excuses why we can't. To me a championship is more important than the Olympics.i already watched the dream team of 92 so nothing will ever live up to that.

Goran has what few NBA players have nowadays which is honor. So if he wants to play, I will support him.

I fully support him. Hopefully they will get far in the tourny.

Damn, that sucks. If Lebron or Durant chose not to play for the US team I wouldn't care either. Save your best for the team that pays you.

Not good. He himself said that he doesn't really want to play but that he may forced into it due to "pride" etc.

[quote="SF88"]Not good. He himself said that he doesn't really want to play but that he may forced into it due to "pride" etc.[/quote
He said that one month ago he was pretty sure he will not play, but now he isnt tired anymore, his ankles are ok (got them checked out in the past days) and he has a big desire with the national team. He is one of the top 3 beloved Slovenian athletes (Prevc, Kopitar, Dragič) and he feels that as well.. On saturday he was on the final of the Slovenian championships and anybody could approach him, make a quick conversation, take a picture,.. He loves being there, people love him. He also loves playing for the national team, as this is also the only chance to play with his bro and other talented and athletically gifted players (Zoran, Blazic, Muric bros).
He wasnt forced into anything (how could he be!??), its his decision, for which i really applaud him. Yes PHX pays him, but Slovenia is still his home country...

[quote="SF88"]Not good. He himself said that he doesn't really want to play but that he may forced into it due to "pride" etc.[/quote
He said that one month ago he was pretty sure he will not play, but now he isnt tired anymore, his ankles are ok (got them checked out in the past days) and he has a big desire with the national team. He is one of the top 3 beloved Slovenian athletes (Prevc, Kopitar, Dragič) and he feels that as well.. On saturday he was on the final of the Slovenian championships and anybody could approach him, make a quick conversation, take a picture,.. He loves being there, people love him. He also loves playing for the national team, as this is also the only chance to play with his bro and other talented and athletically gifted players (Zoran, Blazic, Muric bros).
He wasnt forced into anything (how could he be!??), its his decision, for which i really applaud him. Yes PHX pays him, but Slovenia is still his home country...

SF88 wrote:Not good. He himself said that he doesn't really want to play but that he may forced into it due to "pride" etc.

He said that one month ago he was pretty sure he will not play, but now he isnt tired anymore, his ankles are ok (got them checked out in the past days) and he has a big desire with the national team. He is one of the top 3 beloved Slovenian athletes (Prevc, Kopitar, Dragič) and he feels that as well.. On saturday he was on the final of the Slovenian championships and anybody could approach him, make a quick conversation, take a picture,.. He loves being there, people love him. He also loves playing for the national team, as this is also the only chance to play with his bro and other talented and athletically gifted players (Zoran, Blazic, Muric bros).
He wasnt forced into anything (how could he be!??), its his decision, for which i really applaud him. Yes PHX pays him, but Slovenia is still his home country...

It will keep him in shape for when the season starts. He will be ready to go from day 1 like last year

I understand and support this decision. We have to understand that Dragic probably makes more from sponsors in his country and EU than the Suns pay him. I also agree it will keep him in good basketball shape.

Not that I think Dragic will be out of shape come training camp but I think it's a good opportunity for him to represent his country while he is still young and can take the rigours of an 82 game season and off-season basketball activities.

Good for Dragic. I trust him and the Suns' judgment in his ankle being okay for international play during the offseasons, and fully support him representing his country since they deemed it okay.

Hopefully doesn't affect him into next season.