Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic’s All-Star experience was everything

The Miami Heat’s Goran Dragic was named to his first All-Star Game, and the honor was bigger than his impact on the game.

The Miami Heat‘s Goran Dragic played in his first All-Star Game Sunday night. Unfortunately, if you aren’t a Heat fan, it was forgettable. He played 11 minutes, scoring just two points to go along with four rebounds and an assist.

In a game that is usually dominated by guards, Dragic played the role of spectator. He had seemed to be a bit sluggish heading into the break, so perhaps the plan was to not play much. Kemba Walker, named to the team after Dragic, played 14 minutes. Dragic’s participation came off as a guy who was there just to be there and not to make an impact.

In fact, many basketball fans outside of Miami were calling for Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons to be named an All-Star over Dragic. While Simmons’ argument was just as strong as Dragic’s, it became stronger as the team started to unravel.

When Dragic was named, the Heat stood at 29-22 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. It seemed weird that a team in the top four of its conference didn’t have an All-Star representative. But by the All-Star break, the Heat had lost six of their last seven games and fallen to eighth; with two of those losses being at the hands of Simmons and the 76ers. At 30-28, the Heat found themselves behind Philadelphia in the standings.

Although it would have been nice to see Dragic play more, the game was perfect the way it played out. All the intensity and effort that had been lacking previously was abundant. With the game so close, there was just no need for Dragic to see many minutes.

Despite fans clamoring for Simmons, Dragic was very deserving. At his selection, Dragic was only one of four players to win multiple Player of the Week awards. He may not have performed to expectations, but it was nice to see Dragic get recognition for the work this season.

Ultimately, the game was more about the future for Dragic than it was the present. Dragic spoke to the Miami Herald after the game and said the following:

"“It’s really an honor to be the first Slovenian in the All-Star Game. For my career too, this is going to be something that I’m going to talk to my children, my grandchildren [about]. I really am proud of this moment.”"

At the age of the 31, it is clear that this game wasn’t about what Dragic did on the court, but what he did off it.

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Those minutes, however short, were forever invaluable.