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Undoubtedly, history is not written with assumptions, but fatally there are decisions that change its course. Since the departure of the “lord of the rings”, Zeljko Obradovic, from the bank of the “clover” in 2012 and Vassilis Spanoulis, who passed Rubicon to Olympiakos in 2010. As well as the high probability that the unfortunate Drazen Petrovic is seen green, thoughts are a river, questions are endless …
In 1993, he had the best season of his career on the other side of the Atlantic, especially in New Jersey. With 22.3 points per game, a little less than 45% in triples and all this with an average of 38 minutes of participation, Petrovic was one of the best escorts in the world.
However, unhappy with the actions of the team’s management, he decided to leave the NBA to return to Europe, which was waiting for him with open arms. His contract expired and as he had emphasized: “The Nets had a chance, but they were late. I waited seven months, now it’s too late. I tried what I had to show in the NBA». This attack marked the end of his tenure in the magical world of American basketball.
The news that “Mozart”, as his nickname was, wanted to return to Europe, attracted the attention of some suitors: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Benetton Treviso, Panathinaikos, Olympiakos and Aris were arguing over his signature.
However, the “greens” had two main advantages over their competitors. Of course, the first element was that the helm of technical leadership was assumed by Zeljko Pavlisevic, Petrovic’s coach in Cibona (first as assistant and then as first coach in 1985-1986).
The second was the presence of Stoiko Brankovic on the list of the Greek team, Drazen’s best friend on the Croatian national team.
“I do not care about money”
In Petrovic’s autobiography titled “Drazen Requiem,” which was translated by Dimitris Karydas, author Todd Super characteristically writes:
««A mutual friend told Pavlisevic shortly before the 1993 Greek championship that Petrovic was not happy with the situation in New Jersey and that if he had been released he might have been willing to listen to offers from Europe. The Croatian coach wasted no time in addressing the team’s president, Pavlos Giannakopoulos, about the possibility of acquiring Petrovic. {…]Pavlos Giannakopoulos showed immediate interest.
So he decided to meet Stojan Brankovic to discuss the Petrovich issue. “What do you think of Drazen?” Asked the team president. The Croatian center quickly realized that Giannakopoulos was not asking him how good the player Petrovic was. Instead, he considered the chances of winning the 1993-1994 season. The President was aware of the close relationship between Brankovic and Petrovic and knew that they could have discussed Drazen’s future in one of his famous midnight phone calls. “Do you want to stay in the NBA or go back to Europe, stoic?” He continued. “I want to be the first to know. I am not interested in money. I will offer you more than anyone.”
Giannakopoulos made preliminary contact with his agent, Warren LeGkarie, whom he informed about his keen interest in Petrovic. Panathinaikos had the opportunity to offer him a great contract that, contrary to what was in force in the NBA, would be tax free, a very tempting prospect. The initial offer was approximately $ 2,200,000 a year for two to three years, and at the time it was a great prospect. ”
“Panathinaikos with me will be a different team”
However, Panathinaikos’ keen desire for Petrovic was also expressed by Pavlisevic at a private meeting with him in Zagreb. The glamorous ace seemed to be aware of the movements of the “greens”, but refused to compromise.
“I will come if the offer is very good“He replied to Pavlisevic.‘ ‘“It just came to our attention then“” They all argued that Panathinaikos had high hopes of reaching an agreement with him.
On the fourth day of the 1993 European Championship qualifying rounds in Wroclaw, Poland, Petrovic gave an interview to journalist Vassilis Skountis, who worked for the newspaper “TA NEA” and spoke openly about this scenario. It should be noted that the interview was published two days before the loss of the basketball player and was also included in the legendary magazine “Triponto”.
««Skoutis asked Petrovic about a comment by Pavlos Giannakopoulos that Panathinaikos was very close to signing it. “I never said to sign,” Drazen replied. “But the president of Panathinaikos, Mr. Giannakopoulos, correctly said what he said. We are really very close. I want a third European Champions Cup more than anything else. I won two with Cibona, in 1985 and 1986, and now I am looking forward to returning to Europe and winning more titles. {…]I promise that Panathinaikos with me will be a different team “». But fate had other plans.
The saved contract
The confession of Mozart’s childhood friend Neven Spahia on the index.hr website also caused horror. in 2016: “Now that his son (Dimitris Giannakopoulos) is the owner, he still maintains the contract that was prepared for Drazen.“He had pointed out.
The mother’s revelation.
Of particular interest is the testimony of her mother, Biserka Petrovic, in an interview with Contra. He claimed that his brother Alexander had found a list of teams that he wanted to play for Drazen. Panathinaikos was at the top.
The fatal accident took place near Igolstad on June 7, 1993. Excessive speed and slippery road due to rain were the main causes. The driver and later girlfriend of “Mozart”, Clara Salantzi, a basketball player, escaped with some abrasions. On the other hand, Turkish Hilal Entebal, a basketball player who was in the back seat, remained in a coma for the next eight weeks in the intensive care unit with serious head injuries. She woke up, but her life would never be the same again. He had lost his memory.
As a co-pilot on a Volkswagen Golf, Petrovich fell asleep tired. The car collided with a truck. His death? Instant It turned out he wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
The gold watch in his left hand stopped working when the asphalt was stained with blood. The small index showed five and the big twenty. The asphalt that Moloch had just brought him to his side. Since then, “Mozart” has been composing on the paradise floor, scoring with his favorite shots in the sky basket.
Edited by: Panagiotis Ioannou
