Coming off an injury prone season with the Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic still has to live up to the immense hopes from Mavs fans. The 27-year-old point guard recorded his best statistical numbers last season on every end. Whether it be defense, offense, or playmaking, he excelled in every department. However, despite putting up such numbers, he could’ve done better! How? If he had focused more on avoiding health and injury woes. That’s why the league, as well as the NBA team, have advised him to take a full rest while enjoying the offseason. And the league is leaving no stone unturned to savior their star from lacking in any department.

Apparently, Luka Doncic is expected to attend a memorial game for the late Croatian shooting guard Drazen Petrovic. Unfortunately, the late ex-NBA guard could not continue his stint with the league for long. In the Summer of 1993, while driving to Zagreb, he lost his life in a traffic accident. Therefore, Doncic will be there to attend the event on September 5. However, despite being a point guard himself, the Mavs star will not get to play in honor of the Croatian star.

As per Grant Afseth of the Dallas Hoops Journal, the event will feature an LED court during the game. However, it does not fall in line with the NBA standards. As per the rule, NBA arena backboards must contain four strips of red LED lights, synchronized with the game clock, outlining the inside of the four sides of the backboard to indicate the expiration of time and one strip of an amber LED light to indicate the expiration of the shot clock.

The used court must not be up to the parameter. That’s why Luka Doncic, along with fellow European and Croatian talents, won’t be able to actually play on the court. Although the physical presence of the Mavs icon in the stands is probable.

Nevertheless, did you know about the late NBA star that Luka Doncic is going to honor? Let us get right to that part!

Drazen Petrovic: Late ex-NBA potential who’s legacy game Luka Doncic is going to attend

Born in Croatia, Yugoslavia, Drazen Petrovic first showcased his basketball prowess with Cibona and Real Madrid. After exploring through European leagues in Yugoslav and then Real Madrid, he moved to Portland Trail Blazers in 1989. However, he had already earned multiple international accolades before joining the NBA as he was 2x Olympic silver medalist and 2x FIBA EuroBasket Gold winner. In addition to that, he also won two consecutive EuroLeague championships.

Seeking a bigger stage to showcase his potential, Petrovic joined the NBA. Through the 4 seasons that he played, he averaged 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Putting up a score of 50.6% field goal shooting and 43.7% beyond-the-arc shooting, Petrovic would’ve been a legend if he lived more. Even Luka Doncic could not stop himself from acknowledging the late legend. “Drazen Petrovic was amazing, “ Doncic confessed to Mavs Moneyball.

Recalling Petrovic’s memories, Luka Doncic added, “He was a spectacular player. Everyone who knows him says that he was a very good person. I would take almost everything from his game. Especially his three-point shooting. He couldn’t miss. I would take it, for me (laughs).” No argument about that! Even Stephen Curry’s 3p% average is 42.6%. What do you all think? Was Petrovic better than Curry? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger