Drazen was one of the best european basketball players in history. He played four seasons in NBA. Petrovic's U.S. debut in the 1989-90 wasn't so good beacuse NBA and euro basketball is very different in some ways. In his third NBA season, numbers get much better and he was leading Net's team with 22 ppg. 1992 he led Croatian national team on Olympic games to silver medal, USA won game 117-85. In Zagreb, there is museum of Drazen Petrovic. He died in car crash 1993.
Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2002)
Maybe in Croatian history but thats all.
He was one of good players but far from "one of best in history", maybe he would be one of best if did not die that young in car accident.
For example Vlade Divac achieved way more and he could be called "one of best in history" but I would not dare even to say this as he is good and very good but one of best....
Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan....those are best in history
What to say about Drazen and not to feel sorry? Such a great player, and a great young person, after all. This brilliant young player did not get a chance to show his full talent and potential.
Drazen is legend, basketball mozzart that was his nickname...he could be the greatest european basketball player ever, but...it never happened.
He deserved it, thats for sure, he didnt get proper chance in NBA for the first two years, in that time, it was really hard to relly on european players, but later he prooved his class! Greath champ Drazen...it is great honour.
