“Chasing My A–“: Goran Dragic Reveals How Teammate Jimmy Butler Almost Bullied Him to Re-sign
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USA Today via Reuters
Sep 23, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (7) celebrates after making a three point basket against the Boston Celtics during the second half of game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
One does not leave an organization; rather, one leaves managers. While this saying holds true in the corporate world, at times, it can be applied to some NBA franchises too. However, the Miami Heat is not one of those poor examples, and the story of Goran Dragic is living proof of that.
Ahead of Goran Dragic’s free agency, rumors said that he desperately wished to call it quits in South Florida. However, his team management had other plans to surprise him and lure him back to the squad.
When the Miami Heat organization got creative to re-sign Goran Dragic
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In a very surprising and welcoming move, the Heat placed billboards on the streets of Slovenia, Dragic’s native place, to make him feel special. The posters said, “Your second family is always with you.” This gesture moved the 34-year-old NBA veteran and his family, and Goran later expressed his feelings about the same.
Goran to AP on the billboards the Heat placed in Slovenia: "“I was in the car with my wife and her brother and they drove me past those billboards. I didn't know. … They just said, ‘Look to the right.’ And when I saw myself, saw what they said, it really touched my heart."
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) November 20, 2020
Goran also posted a tweet to showcase the billboards and also to confirm that he would be rejoining with the Miami Heat-
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🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨I'm glad that I can announce that I'm staying with my #HeatNationFamily 📝❤️🏀🔥 @MiamiHEAT
Let’s finish the job we started!!!😤💪#LetsGoHeatnation #heatnation #heatfamily #305 pic.twitter.com/ltV769phXF
— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) November 20, 2020
Many believed that it was because of his kinship with Jimmy Butler that he could make such a decision. The fact that Jimmy almost bullied him into coming back to the Heat hints at the same.
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
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What is in it for Goran to make a U-turn and head back?
At 34 years of age, the star point guard is approaching the end of his playing career. Now that he has signed a $37 million deal ($18 million + $19.5 million) with a team option in the 2nd year, chances are strong that he will retire in the Heat jersey.
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Goran has over the years developed as a very efficient passer. Also at his age, he is still a very productive scoring option for the Heat as he last had a 16.2 ppg season with 44.1% FG and 36.7% from behind the arc. Last but not least, he adds ruthlessness to the more aggressive and physical side, just the way Jimmy G. Buckets likes it.
Earlier in the year, there was news that the Lakers might show their interest in signing him. But Goran’s confirmation has put an end to every rumor.
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