Mark and Pau Gasol, Albert and Bernard King, Horace and Harvey Grant, Jim and John Paxson, Dominique and Gerald Wilkins, Jeff and Marquis Teague, Chuck and Wesley Person, Rodney and Scooter McCray–all the way back to Dick and Al McGuire and George and Ed Mikan–the list of brothers who have played in the NBA is surprisingly long. (Longer than the above, too.) Now after Zoran Dragic’s strong performance for Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup it looks like he’ll soon join his brother Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns) in the NBA. They will become the first rhyming brothers to practice hoops in the world’s top basketball showcase.
The 25-year-old Zoran played for the Rockets’ summer league team in 2012, but failed to hang on into the regular season. It may be that Zoran’s stock has risen primarily due to the league’s already considerable (and rising) love for his brother Goran, as much as for his own performance. In 2014, having a banner year for the Suns, Goran Dragic was named to the All-NBA Third Team and won the NBA Most Improved Player award. Goran Dragic is one of the most efficient, dangerous offensive players in the NBA. Multiple teams–including the Heat, Mavs and Spurs–are said to be interested in signing brother Zoran Dragic after this summer’s FIBA performance. But General Managers around the league are really hoping Zoran really rhymes with Goran.
