Although Goran Dragic started in Thursday night’s win over the Dallas Mavericks, he has been a flat-out beast from wherever he has played for the Miami Heat since his return from injury. Dragic seems like a man on a mission, but a mission to where?
Goran Dragic has been playing at an insane rate since he returned from injury. It isn’t so much about the sheer performances, as The Dragon has long been able to make big contributions across the board. What is telling however, is that no matter where the Miami Heat ask him to play from, he most likely dominates when he is on the floor.
Before Thursday night’s game against the Mavericks, a must-win game for the Heat’s playoff chances, the Heat seemed to be riddled with injury. Not only was Justise Winslow out again due to a nagging injury that’s cost him quite a few games over the past few weeks, but the Heat would end up being down even more players. It was released earlier on Thursday that starting swing-man Josh Richardson as well as the gutsy defender Rodney McGruder would miss the game as well.
Needing bodies to fill the void left in the starting lineup by Winslow, and then suddenly Richardson, coach Erik Spoelstra turned to a familiar face. Enter The Dragon, and not the Bruce Lee flick either.
How did Dragic respond? By messing around and getting a triple-double.
Dragic finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, 11 dimes, a steal and a block. You could say that he had a complete game. So much so, that on Slovenian Night in South Beach, the Slovenian crowd stayed around for an interactive cheer session.
It doesn’t hurt that the national hero and national team champion was facing another national hero and national team champion in wunderkind Luka Doncic. In any event, it was a glorious time for the Slovenian nationals, and an awesome performance for the Miami Heat’s Slovenian fire-breather.
What’s this whole late season surge mean for Dragic though? It could mean a few things, but the most apt is that he still has it, and a lot more of it to give. Dragic has appeared to be making a plea, a case for something if you read between the lines.
With the Miami Heat deciding to roll with Justise Winslow at point guard, even after Dragic returned, could this be Dragic auditioning for a main role on another team? After all, it is proven that Doncic and he work really well together. Could Goran be playing up his value for someone else, like the Dallas Mavericks?
As purported here many times, could Dragic be lobbying to be the Miami Heat’s super sixth man? Could Dragic possibly be exhibiting what he still offers to the Heat in hopes to lock down that role for the future?
There is also another factor here, Dragic and his expiring contract. Although it still has one more year after this season on that deal, could Dragic be attempting to land an extension? There could be many options and answers here.
One thing that is certain, is that Dragic is making his presence known again, and most definitely making a case. The nature of the outcome, or the desired outcome of this case may be up for discussion, but it surely needs to be discussed. After all, it could just be after his old starting gig?
Regardless, if the Heat were wise, they would get him on the books for at least a season past next. The point here is that if this is what a fresh Goran Dragic can offer you, you better jump on it and pin it to the ground.