Dražen Petrović

A trendsetter and game-changer within basketball’s worldwide circuit long before he could recognize it, Dražen Petrović, over a four-year, 290-game career, left behind coordinates, illustrating a few of the many ways European talents could thrive on the NBA scene. Unfortunately for Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets, though, Petrović had no plans of making his whereabouts easily known on January 24, 1993. Innovative in his attack during his NBA career’s most fruitful offensive showing, Petrović finds himself needing creativity during a top-of-the-floor pick-and-roll with Vernon Maxwell in his rearview, and Olajuwon stepping forward to barricade his path. Unbothered by neither the Rockets superstar’s 7-foot frame, nor his soon-to-be-named two-time Defensive Player of the Year credentials, Petrović conquers with a pump fake, and then an around-the-body pass fake, finally ending Houston’s misery with a spot-on midrange bucket. Safely chalked up for a bucket from the moment he curled free or entered a go-to spot, Petrović offered plenty during the New Jersey Nets’ home win. Simultaneously a before-his-time talent and one that went too soon, Petrović concluded his one-of-a-kind evening with 44 points (on 17-of-23 shooting) — including 25 in the fourth quarter — four assists, one steal, one block, and three trifectas.

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