PHOENIX (AP) -Still searching for their first NBA title, the Phoenix Suns want to be like the four-time champion San Antonio Spurs.
So perhaps it’s fitting that the Suns’ newest player, Goran Dragic, has molded his game after Spurs point guard Tony Parker.
“I’m like, how do you say, a little version of Tony Parker,” Dragic said with a chuckle. “But I must work hard to be as good as he is.”
Fans of the purple and orange might cringe at the very mention of the Suns’ nemesis, who has helped the Spurs oust Phoenix from the playoffs four times in the last five years. But coach Terry Porter, who teamed with Parker in San Antonio in 2001-02, relished the comparison.
“I hope he turns out to be like Tony,” Porter said after watching Dragic go through an informal team workout on Tuesday at U.S. Airways Center. “I mean, in a couple years we’ll have a couple championships and everything will be just fine with me.”
Dragic, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound Slovenian, is slightly bigger than the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Parker, who was born in Belgium and raised in France.
“He’s a little bit stronger than Tony at this stage,” Porter said. “But I think he’s watched a lot of the European point guards. He’s tried to take a part from those guys that played in the league and really tried to steal a little piece of their game.”
The Suns acquired rights to the quick, sharp-shooting 22-year-old left-hander in a draft-day trade with San Antonio. The contract is for three years with a team option for a fourth.
The Suns see Dragic as a backup and eventual replacement for 34-year-old Steve Nash.
“I like to penetrate and play fast basketball,” Dragic said. “I’m a good defender, so I like to play defense.”
Dragic reached a $2 million buyout agreement with his Spanish team TAU Ceramica. The Suns contributed the NBA limit of $500,000. That doesn’t count Dragic’s salary which is likely covered in the remainder of the deal.
Although Dragic was the 45th overall pick overall, the Suns considered him second only to No. 1 pick Derrick Rose among point guards in the draft.
Dragic said he had been thrilled when Phoenix traded for him, but he wasn’t sure that contractual issues with his European club would be resolved in time for him to join the team this season.
glad to be here.”
Dragic said he was a little winded after Tuesday’s workout, which included several Suns regulars, but not Nash and Shaquille O’Neal. His conditioning no doubt will improve once the Suns’ five-day training camp tips off in Tucson next Tuesday.
It will take time for Dragic to make the transition to the NBA from the European game. Porter said the biggest adjustment will come when Dragic faces some of the top point guards in the Western Conference.
“I think just the athleticism and the level of talent he’s going to see night in and night out – that’s going to be different, especially at that position, especially in the West,” Porter said. “I don’t think he’s (been) in situations where he’s faced a Chris Paul one night, then (Deron) Williams the next night, Baron Davis the next night. From that standpoint, it’s going to be a learning curve for him.”
Dragic said he planned to leave for Slovenia after practice to take care of visa issues but would return within a few days.
“I’m really happy that I’m now part of this family,” Dragic said. “I know that this is my first year. I must work hard to improve my game and listen to the coach, and everything’s going to come.”
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