Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Imago
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 18: Jimmy Butler enters at the 67th NBA All-Star Game: Team LeBron Vs. Team Stephen at Staples Center on February 18, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
The NBA featured just 24 international players 25 years ago. However, that trend changed drastically as the league housed 108 international players in the 2019-20 season. Canada dominated this inflow of foreign players. Among all these international stars, Goran Dragic of the Miami Heat stands tall in stature. At least to Jimmy Butler, he is one indestructible piece.
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Goran is a Slovenian player who was drafted back in 2008. Ten years later, he saw his fellow countryman Luka Doncic too, joining the league.
Today, the 34-YO Goran is still a consistent shooter who helped Miami reach the NBA Finals 2020. His partner in crime was Jimmy, who injected the required aggression in the team.
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The two poster boys of Miami Heat and their brotherly love
It is obvious that the Heat organization, led by Pat Riley (President) and driven by coach Erik Spoelstra, gives its players a great environment.
As underdogs, they not just reached the finals but also forced a game 6 on the big Lakers. Their team bonding is just quintessential and this funny video ahead is a little proof of that.
“Buy this jersey man, my brother,” from Jimmy is probably the funniest Slovenian accent one can hear.
Jimmy Butler imitating Goran’s accent. 😂pic.twitter.com/gFLteN1Fjq
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 12, 2020
A natural scoring point guard, Dragic was brought to the Miami Heat (in 2014) to help out Dwyane Wade. Back in those days, LeBron James had just left the franchise and Chris Bosh was dealing with a lung infection. So the onus was on a veteran in Wade and a youngster in Dragic to march with the Heat flag.
When Jimmy Butler stopped Goran from considering leaving the franchise
More Goran Dragic to AP: Jimmy Butler called him last week and (half-seriously, we think) suggested physical violence could be coming his way if he didn't return to Miami. "Jimmy's a tough guy. … I didn't want him chasing my ass," Dragic said.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) November 20, 2020
The 31-YO Jimmy G. Buckets holds a real say in Goran’s life. Dragic was a free-agent in this off-season and could have considered a move.
However, the kind of relationship he developed with Jimmy cleared him of any such move. As a matter of fact, Jimmy half-seriously threatened Goran with a physical injury if he considered a move.
Goran was later quoted, “Jimmy’s a tough guy, I didn’t want him chasing my a**”.
Goran’s passing ability and his shot-creation are something the Heat still need. Moreover, his average in the last season stood at 16.2, which is amazing considering the things he adds to the squad.
