National Basketball Association

Suns double down on Dragic brothers

Published Oct. 1, 2014 8:11 p.m. ET

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PHOENIX -- They're on opposite ends of the Suns' food chain but will be living under the same roof.

Well, at least until the younger one finds his own place.

It shouldn't take Zoran Dragic long to locate suitable accommodations.

But carving out some space in Phoenix's crowded backcourt may take a while.

"I know I'm starting from zero," Zoran, the newly minted Sun and little brother of Phoenix star Goran Dragic said when asked about playing-time expectations. "I'll practice hard and see where we go."

Despite assumptions to the contrary, Zoran and the Suns didn't buy out the final season of his contract with Unicaja Malaga of the Spanish League simply to make Goran happy.

Goran certainly is thrilled to have his brother on the same team, but "The Dragon" always seems happy. OK, so he wasn't exactly giddy after most games two seasons ago, but coming off a career year, outplaying his contract and zooming toward his bank-account-building, opt-out clause, it's difficult imagining Goran looking elsewhere for future employment.

And if you're assuming things are going smoothly within this family dynamic, please note that Goran, 28, spent part of media day referencing his brother's penchant for "dirty" play in one-on-one situations and suggesting a nickname.

The best "The Dragon" could come up with was "Zorro." He even waved his index finger through the U.S. Airways Center air, connecting one diagonal slash with two horizontal lines.

Zoran, who's been "Zoki" to Goran's "Gogi" back home, was not impressed.

"Let's hope there's another nickname for me," he said.

So the relationship is not without its disagreements.

Anyway, for those skeptical as to why Zoran was hired, here's some testimony from general manager Ryan McDonough:

"I've been watching him play for a long time . . . going back to the U18 Championships in Madrid," McDonough said of the 25-year-old, 6-foot-5 lefty guard. "I think it really started last year when Coach (Jeff) Hornacek and I traveled to Slovenia for the European Championships.

"Jeff and I were there to see Goran primarily, but over the course of the five games we watched Slovenia play, Zoran really caught our eye."

Considered the more defense-oriented of the Dragic brothers, Zoran averaged 10 points per game for Malaga last season. But his ascension to NBA commodity -- reports had at least four other teams interested in bringing him over this season -- occurred while teaming with Goran at the FIBA World Cup tournament in Spain.

The aggressive defense, improved perimeter marksmanship and continuation of the delightfully-reckless (just like his brother) lane attacks signaled his readiness for professional basketball's greatest stage.

"He's similar to P.J. Tucker in many ways," McDonough said. "When the ball's on the floor, he's coming out with it. He's a winning basketball player and does stuff that helps you win games."

While acknowledging what's required to earn NBA minutes, the younger Dragic looked and sounded confident in his ability to make this transition.

"I think I am ready, because that was my dream," Zoran said. "I was playing pro for 10 years in Europe, and I played with so many players that played in NBA.

"I know I am ready."

Big brother agrees.

"I know he can help us a lot," Goran said. "Like Ryan said, he's like a little P.J. Tucker. I know he's going to give us 100 percent every day, and I'm excited about him being by my side."

Goran will have considerable assistance from those other Suns riding shotgun. But with so many hungry, talented perimeter players on the roster, duplicating last season's numbers -- 20.3 points and 5.9 assists per game, 50.5-percent shooting -- could be tricky.

But when pressed for his perspective on seasonal objectives, The Dragon remains a team-first guy.

"We just have to try and elevate our game," he said.

When finally compelled to speak in individual terms, Goran retreats to his happy place.

"It doesn't matter who it is . . . if I see an open gap, I'm going to attack," he said. "I'm not afraid of big guys."

No, but after media days, we all know he may be inclined to flinch when forced to square off against baby brother.

Follow Randy Hill on Twitter

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