Dražen Petrović: Reggie Miller called this European Basketball Legend “THE BEST SHOOTER EVER” | FPP

From the age of 15, Dražen Petrović was a professional basketball player in Europe, and by the time he was 18, he was one of the best players on the continent. He dominated throughout his teens and early 20s to firmly place his name in greatest European basketball player of all time conversation by the age of 25. He was a hero in Yugoslavia and in Spain, and he along with future NBA players like Vlade Divac, Toni Kukoc and Dino Radja made up a dominant Yugoslavian National team, until the Yugoslav wars drove them apart. But in 1990, Petrovic decided he needed a new challenge and would join the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA who had drafted him in 1986. But Portland was a well established team with Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter in the backcourt, as Petrovic spent much more time on the bench than he did on the floor. Even though the Blazers made the 1990 NBA Finals, Petrovic wasn’t a huge part of the rotation and had an even smaller role in 1991. But a mid season trade that sent him to the New Jersey Nets changed his whole career. He finally got a chance to be a starter and would join forces with other young stars like Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson and the team was on the rise in the early 90s with Petrovic emerging as one of the league’s top scorers. Additionally, he was the best player on the Croatian National team who put together the best performance vs. the 1992 US Dream Team at the summer Olympics. But in the Prime of his career at 28 years old, Petrovic was killed in a car accident in Germany, ending his NBA career before it really started. In North America, Petrovic is most remembered for his brief time with the Nets and what they could have been, but too often is his legendary European career discounted, and you can’t tell the full story of Petrovic’s greatness without including this portion.
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[@philmoe5392]

Clicked on this right away. Anybody that grew up in the 80’s like me knows he was a beast and had so much potential to be an all time great. Rest Peacefully 🕊️

[@Chuck_EL]

The Mount Rushmore of the OG Foreign players Alongside Hakeem, Sabonis and Bol

[@harveymcelroy9332]

Petro was goon

[@Digital_Dude2000]

I was talking to a middle-aged Croatian guy at the bar a while back, and I remember him saying his favourite athlete was Drazen Petrović because and I quote… “He played with heart, and balls!”

[@ziginaigra]

guy in bar didnt lie:)

[@CSLucasEpic]

Petro was the only guy I have ever seen that would actively provoke Michael Jordan and would actively seek him out during games be it on offense or defense. He did not fear him, he welcomed the challenge. That is the sort of mentality Petro had during his career.

[@MislavIvkovic-sx8vd]

We will newer have a player like him in Croatia he was like Modric in football

[@richardyoon4209]

Good for him. Unfortunately Drazen never beat Jordan when he was a NJ Net. Probably best not to poke the bear

[@leekato2722]

​@@richardyoon4209because the Bulls were better. Drazen dropped 42 on MJ their last time out.

[@chazzx1018]

​@@richardyoon4209bulls were one of the greatest franchises in that era. Nobody beat them. Jordan had a bad record against the Celtics before Pippen, but great games. Winning is a team effort.

[@richardyoon4209]

@@leekato2722 Drazen never scored 42 against MJ.

[@pjny21]

What Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman would have been had they been blessed with more of Petrovic's presence is one of the biggest 'What ifs' in the NBA. He was the glue, as Willis Reed's reaction shows.

[@lucashenderson2775]

Not only did his death affect those two, Chuck Daly was affected too because he coached the 94 season after Petro died then quit the Nets. That matters because I think he was the right guy to balance out all those personalities. He came back to coaching in Orlando in 98-99, but that was it for him after that.

[@GHOST91141]

that trio would have been crazy to watch

[@johndavis9321]

Facts if they would have stayed together and matured those nets teams would have given the bulls hell

[@damienkirksey7026]

​@@johndavis9321I agree

[@SoBor911]

Nah, Petrovic was already thinking of leaving the NBA and go back to Europe to sign and play for Panathinaikos. Because he was not offered a contract extension from Nets nor was he selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star. The American snubbing on Petrovic was that bad, only to get long overdue respect after the unfortunate accident.

[@ProletarianVanguard]

Drazen Petrovic is the only player in NBA history to average 20 pts per 36-minutes, shoot 50% overall and 40% from distance for a career.

[@Pennybags37]

Him and Marciulionis are the two European players I remember from this time. Both very skilled and excellent shooters. Sad he passed away so young.

[@Riles3152]

Petro was so fun to watch. You can tell that he was a man that loved the game and loved competing. Even back in the early 90's, the league was beginning to embrace 3-point shooting a lot more than the 80's, and Drazen certainly incorporated that into his game, but his shooting/scoring ability was well rounded. No doubt he would have COOKED in today's game. Such a tragedy him dying before 30, just like a fellow prime, all-star caliber 2-guard, that played in the same conference, who passed away just a month later, in Reggie Lewis.

[@SoBor911]

1993 was such a sad year for the Basketball world.

[@blasterskv1]

Petro was THE basketball.

[@AfricanH3ro]

I'm just going to outlandishly assume had Petrovic and Sabonis joined the league sooner they'd be the Luka and Jokic of their time and we'd have seen the current international boom happen a decade earlier.

[@Byronic19134]

You’re not wrong. Not only that, both of those guys had a swagger to their game, they knew they were that good and were gonna make sure you knew it too. That’s the type of mentality you need if you’re coming from anywhere outside America.

[@acornsucks2111]

sounds about right.

[@Mr.Memphis10]

Drazen Petrovic was a str8 up beast! Rest In Paradise Petrovic 🕊️🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@konkluzio]

he was a real GOAT, making the path for european players. i saw him as a kid, Drazen was amazing! God bless Him!

[@Sweat404]

This might be the most important video you have uploaded.

[@damienkirksey7026]

Exactly

[@mikeonthemccomedy2465]

YOU ARE ON POINT WITH THIS ONE!! HE TOURCHED EVERY TWO GAURD IN THE LEAGUE FOR THREE YEARS STRAIGHT! WHEN HIS WAS IN NJ! I'M FROM NEW JERSEY AND HE GAVE US PRIDE DURING A TIME WE WERE LOOKED AT AS DOOR MATS! RIP PETRO!!!

[@Davivd2]

RIP. Gone but not forgotten.

[@AMart870]

Drazen Petrovic used to give Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller BUCKETS, I'm a 80s Baby and I saw it!

[@RoyPage1970]

So did Bernard King what's your point

[@chazzx1018]

​@@RoyPage1970another net great

[@high-defRJ]

My GOAT. My favorite player as a kid in New Jersey, and fell in love with his picture perfect shooting stroke. I love Steph Curry, but the Drazen was the Steph Curry of 90s. The game was different, he didn't shoot in volumes like Steph, but he made his shots so effortlessly and seemed to splash his shots all the time just like Steph does, maybe a bit more efficiently. Gone too soon, there would be several what-if's to his careers like how many All Star appearances, how many career 3s, championships, but it looked like he was carving out a HOF worthy career in NBA too, along with his legendary status in Euros in the 80s. Probably also in the convo with MJ, Kobe, and Larry as those who just wanted to beat the hell out of the opponents.

[@nozoto]

Drazen was a BEAST. He feared nobody! While many ballers held their head low as they faced the hoop mafioso MJ, Drazen still did his utmost in attempt to surpass him! If he was in the league today, I am certain he'd collect MVP distinctions, at the very least

[@Dantana773]

PETRO was a very competitive player he backed down from nobody a very efficient scorer RIP Gone to Soon. ( He never backed down from MJ)

[@CSLucasEpic]

If I remember correctly, Petro actively provoked MJ into confronting him every time he played against the Bulls.

[@Teddy42O]

The throwback Nets uniforms are 🔥🔥

[@ProletarianVanguard]

He had the best fg% and 3pt% while was there as a Shooting Guard that's F crazy considering how many great SG was in the game that is crazy

[@UploadingOCD]

‏‪7:03‬‏ this is a game vs Hapoel Tel Aviv where he scored 59 points. Love your videos, subscribed.

[@MistaP13]

Portland could’ve had Sabonis, Petrovic and Drextler in the 80’s if they would’ve came when drafted. 😳 That could’ve been real interesting!

[@abrahamwiebe]

Yes!! I had totally forgot they had drafted both of them, I think mainly because we tend to just remember Drazen in NJ. They seem to have been on the leading edge of getting euro talent back then

[@damienkirksey7026]

I agree

[@SoBor911]

Not possible, it's very well documented how Adelman favored heavily Drexler, Porter or even Ainge or Danny Young over Petrovic.

[@abrahamwiebe]

Maybe I am biased, but mid 80s to mid 90s was the best time to watch any of the major sports. NBA, NFL at least. I guess MLB might not be right there, but man, what a great era to grow up in

[@ziginaigra]

i will add few sports here too...rally,football(real one)boxing,k1( kickboxing)😛

[@sir_evergreen]

One of my favorites Drazen Petrovic

[@konasavage]

What a technically perfect shooting form.

[@russelturner5771]

Drazen was the truth.

[@mams1701]

Jeeze man- you KEEP doing the best videos on players only real fans remember! Bravo! Any chance of Willis Reed, Chris Morris or Thurl Bailey? Thanks a million!! 😆

[@twright420]

He was a pure shooter. I remember having his upper decker card and I loved his game.

[@dieselsour]

"Just kick it to me for 3 DC!" 😂 RIP 🙏🏾

[@mathiasmaire9168]

Been a sub for a while now, but it's the 1st time I comment... the quality of your content is just amazing!! I sometimes disagree with your selection of players, some are definitely not forgotten in my opinion, but each time the video is just too interesting for me to miss a single minute... and this one is probably my favorite, I may be biased because I'm European but still, Drazen was the man! Keep up the good work, greetings from France!

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

Appreciate the support!

[@benyoung9040]

Let’s go I recommened this

[@bryantbuijk9733]

I love these. I think doing one on ahmad rashad would be pretty cool. I know hes not a player but he was there with 90s bball.

[@ForgottenPlayerProfiles]

I'm definitely getting to him eventually, but it'll be for football. He had a really underrated NFL career

[@Meat69808]

Loved watching this guy play.

[@thetruthstand]

I really believe Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman would have been better together if petrovic had not died. I've always believed petrovic was the real leader of that team.

[@SoBor911]

Nah, Petrovic was already thinking of leaving the NBA and go back to Europe to sign and play for Panathinaikos. Because he was not offered a contract extension from Nets nor was he selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star. The American snubbing on Petrovic was that bad, only to get long overdue respect after the unfortunate accident.

[@kincamell2]

Gratitude That Nets team was stellar.

[@TheLonely77]

Great video. You forggot to mentioned that Petro torn his knee few games after Anderson's injury. He return for the playoff's despite doctor's advice not to.

[@nbanoventera1755]

A powerful shooter from any distance, not just 3 points, it would undoubtedly be easy for him to play in today's NBA.

[@timhall5382]

Thanks man, great video........... AGAIN!

[@timhall5382]

Probably shouldn't press my luck but how about a Byron Scott video sometime down the line?

[@PrinceZakariyya]

Rip draz

[@bashiriasad789]

Excellent Spotlight. Šarūnas Marčiulionis

[@DRV404]

Yessss! This one was needed! Someone who would've accomplished a lot and become an all-time great!

[@TommyMartini657_jciridje]

In 4y stretch he led all SG in FG% and 3pts%. Damn what a true basketball legend

[@dsp_91]

RIP Draz ❤

[@danijelhrup9715]

If you don't understand why he had a bad game, just listen what his New Jersey teammate said: He was great in the game, than there was a phone call for him, when he returned he was pale and angry ( He got the news, what is going on in his country ), few people knows - that he was on a hunger strike in New York cuz of a politics towards his country Croatia, embargo on weapons on his country Croatia, his people and many friends didn't have weapons to defended themselfs and they were dying... Croatia loves him to this day, he is and will be one of the greatest Croatian, cuz while he needed to take care of his NBA career, he cared and doing more for his country and many people wouldn't do that, but he was unique person and Croatian people will always remember our Captain

[@Choopre1995]

Thanks so much for this.

[@TommyMartini657_jciridje]

The Prodigy SG tough as hell

[@roki977]

my whole familly watched Cibona, everybody from 5 to 95 years old in those years. Cibona, Jugoplastika aka pop 84 when those teams where rulling Euroleauge. Many great players grow from these teams.

[@allainangcao28]

Petro had that mentality. When you purposely trash talk and provoke MJ, just because you want the smoke. You are just different. 😂

[@usmankenchi908]

Brian Grant

[@CliffPierson777]

Great work as always! I looked at how you described those '91 tie-dye Nets and realized your probably going to eventually do Blaylock, Theus and Morris one day.

[@marioaustin9312]

I hope sabonis is next

[@lashgoshotwheels1127]

Thank you 🙂

[@dereksupernaut]

shot 44%3s for career, made 3rd Team All-Pro in loaded '93 season... not sure what Portland was doing as they were great at acquiring talent (drafted Sabonis too), but perhaps not at evaluating their own talent--they gave away Petrovic and played Duckworth over Cliff Robinson losing to athletic Bulls team in '92 Finals... fax!!!

[@miguelalegria3614]

Drazen and Sarunas, absolute monsters. It always comically puzzled me that Drazen had such a sweet touch and was such a great player, yet he picked up the dribble like someone who has no idea what he's doing with a basketball in his hands lol Never the most elegant player, but certainly one of the most effective ones, absolutely stunning the way he got hot and lit up everyone.

[@GHOST91141]

I remember a game against Houston Drazen had like 44 points he was on fire

[@MariaGiacalone-i8r]

Best european basketball player Ever, with Arvydas Sabonis, better than Doncic better than jokic. No doubt about it, he dominated for many years, he scored 30, 40, 50, every game.I remember one european cup final between italian team, Caserta, with Oscar Smidth, another legendary player and Real Madrid, with Drazen..After 1 OT, Real Madrid won the cup with a huge Oscar performance, 47 points..Drazen put 62, with 20/30 fg, 8/13 from3p.

[@StrangeAquaticCow]

You NEED to to do a video on Vlade

[@Mannyboi-hj2gs]

Man I'm sorry he passed I wanted portland to trade for him

[@brucecooperjr]

He played for Portland before the Nets

[@notoriousLSGshow]

Absolutely love these vids on nba players i grew up watching - very much appreciated! On Petro - ughhhh never let a woman drive when your able to , they are awful drivers , he had so much to give the world & shame on coach A for not using him , that port team could of stayed stacked and eventually won a chip imo

[@Dejan_23Unlimited]

People now days will never, ever understand greatness that Petro posses *Mozzart. Visiting his grave 30. Years after he died, was something that was on my bucket list and I did it this year. RIP true Legend...

[@Classicbasketballdvds]

I think if he didn't get killed in that tragedy, the Nets woulda been a contender in the east. That trio of Drazen, DC & Kenny Anderson was dope

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

European or American. This series shows if you can be a 3 level scorer, be a low turnover, high efficiency scorer, with a positive attitude, and at minimum an average defender. You will be a highly valued player in the league athleticism is really just a cherry on top but not a requirement.

[@danijelhrup9715]

He was going to play for Rudy in Huston

[@filipmatic3351]

We l never forget GOAT of basketball!

[@kareemchandler4007]

Where in the hell did you get this footage johnny!

[@ryansack5198]

There's a video of Drazen vs Nikos Galis (IMO the best guard to never play in the NBA) and it's awesome footage. NBA fans should all know Galis & Oscar Schmidt

[@petrakamilica5141]

In todays NBA he would be the best international player and the best NBA player overall

[@oluhamilton2121]

In face of YOURS! Very Larry Bird-ish, the man had NO FEAR.

[@vdLeo-je6os]

Petrović was an aggressive, attacking player who was used to creating his shot and shots for his teammates. Adelmam was irrelevant to European basketball and Drazen and had no respect for the Mozart of Basketball. Perhaps your best video. Thank you.

[@justineebourgeois3420]

Drazen > James Harden

[@FekalistaGrzybowory-lz8lh]

Who is James Harden

[@damienkirksey7026]

It's not even close

[@damienkirksey7026]

He's the best European player ever

[@richardyoon4209]

Dirk was better and Luka Doncic is better

[@damienkirksey7026]

@@richardyoon4209 He gave Qlajuwan the business at that time

[@richardyoon4209]

@@damienkirksey7026 And zero All Star game appearances

[@damienkirksey7026]

@@richardyoon4209 Be quiet!! He was in his prime when he passed away

[@richardyoon4209]

@@damienkirksey7026 He was 29 and people over inflate Petro because he died tragically at an early age.

[@hubertsumlin9697]

I thought the ONCE WERE BROTHERS 30 for 30 film on Drazen and Divac & that generation of Yugoslavian players was one of the best in the series. Very interesting and poignant. Seek it out if you missed it.

[@radoslawp589]

Rik Smits, Jalen Rose, Tim Hardaway please.

[@DamianGshow]

I didn't know about Clara, I thought he drove.....a chance meeting, a rendezvous.... what could have been had he took that connecting flight instead

[@dereksupernaut]

Kenny Anderson, Drazen Petrovic, and Derrick Coleman could have made a title run in '94... fax!!!

[@damienkirksey7026]

I agree

[@fabiopozzi5175]

Whitout injury of course

[@SoBor911]

Nah, Petrovic was already thinking of leaving the NBA and go back to Europe to sign and play for Panathinaikos. Because he was not offered a contract extension from Nets nor was he selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star. The American snubbing on Petrovic was that bad, only to get long overdue respect after the unfortunate accident.

[@fabiopozzi5175]

New York, or Houston

[@7kikinho7]

During 1991-1995. serbians bombard his beautiful hometown Šibenik at the Adriatic coast. During the Divac NBA career, 1989- 2004. he was celebrating shots with hand high and 3 fingers which was the sign of serbian paramilitary forces that attacked Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo in the blodiest wars in Europe soil since WW2. That wasn't mentioned in the documentary Once brothers which doesn't say that Serbians were the aggressors. That was the Homland war.

[@zoeledwards6617]

I read on wiki that Szalantzy who drove the car would go back to modeling and basketball like it never happened. Does she feel any sadness or guilt for doing this?

[@toptopovaxiv]

I acknowledge your work and my hats off to you and your channel. But Drazen is way off from forgotten player drawer. He is no doubt one of all time greats. Easily top 20-30 players of all time, no matter how you group it. Ask all european basketball superstars who is their idol and he will be in 99% answers...

[@cmn225]

he's forgotten in America

[@Dejan_23Unlimited]

14:20 And they also brought guard *that no one knew, than and after, but still had more playing time - Young No, Adelman was not a racisssst.

[@poindextertunes]

if steve nash didn’t like to pass so fkn much he could’ve scored like this

[@jpmnky]

Didn’t Reggie Miller say Drazen was his favorite player because he could talk smack in four languages?

[@ziginaigra]

biggest what if in my book(with sabonis)

[@richardyoon4209]

Len Bias

[@TheMick126]

Do saunas marcilionius

[@Brand-ju4jm]

his death seems like it was planned because he was about to overtake the chosen one to be the best player in the league

[@tudorm6838]

They didn't know how to use him when he arrived in the NBA. It does not fit into the standard. According to the same logic, they would keep Luka and Nicola on the bench.

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

replay a game due to irregularities? sounds like a fix wasnt fixed properly, what a sham...i remember him giving it to jordan....RIP

[@RoyPage1970]

I remember this dude he was a good player but I don't think he ever got out of the first round of the playoffs

[@richardyoon4209]

With Portland, he did but not with the Nets when he was a starter

[@GQguy24]

18:36 it was actually Toni Kukoc who “led” Croatia to the silver medal at that Olympics…..but that’s ok.

[@ProletarianVanguard]

I seen who led against dream team. It wasn't Kukoc

[@eksit101]

But you could also say same for Divac. Actually if I remember correctly, came into the league 1-2 years before Drazen. Got Lakers Kobe? I remember the blazers teams, and nets, he really wasn't all that.

[@delprieststokes3498]

The original Luka

[@damienkirksey7026]

It's the other way around

[@jpang5477]

R.I.P PETRO you were a beast

[@ricardolopez1228]

BEST SHOOTER EVER!!!!!

[@RoyPage1970]

Bernard King was a better shooter than this dude I swear that dude had the quickest release I've ever seen in my life

[@jaybrown7811]

Do Reggie Miller

[@cmn225]

the channel's called FORGOTTEN Player Profiles

[@melvinhouston6359]

I remember the Nets broadcasts Drazen for three!!! It was money 🏀

[@terrenceliburd8655]

He wasn't a better shooter than Ray Allen, Dale Ellis Glenn Rice, Or Big Dogg Glenn Robinson. Rip but people need to tell the truth (ie Reggie)

[@ProletarianVanguard]

guy shoot over 50%fg over 44%3pts clip over 20pts he was just getting started the F you talking about

[@ProletarianVanguard]

Reggie knows better than you cause he played the guy and Drazen give him 38p