by Paul Coro - Apr. 12, 2012 07:20 PM
The Republic | azcentral.com
HOUSTON - When the Suns visited Goran Dragic this season in early February, their former point guard had settled nicely into the role of backup point guard in Houston and recaptured his form of two years ago.
"It's the Year of the Dragon, you know," Dragic said then, referring to the Chinese calendar and his Phoenix-originated nickname.
Even he had no idea how true that would be. When Kyle Lowry went out because of a bacterial infection five weeks ago, it appeared Houston might drop out of the playoff race. Dragic kept the Rockets in it -- and his former team out of it.
The Suns traded Dragic and a first-round draft pick last year for Aaron Brooks.Dragic has averaged 18.2 points, 8.7 assists and 1.9 steals as a starter while shooting 50.4 percent (41.8 percent on 3-pointers). Houston is 11-7 with Dragic starting, including last week's victories over the Lakers and Bulls that earned him NBA Player of the Week honors alongside LeBron James.
It prompted Portland coach Kaleb Canales to liken Dragic's game to that of Manu Ginobili, a comparison that then-Suns General Manager Steve Kerr made privately when he acquired a San Antonio second-round pick to draft Dragic in 2008.
"It's different when you're playing 35 minutes," Dragic said Thursday after preparing to face the Suns here tonight. "You're not rushing your shots. You explore your options. You try to make plays for your teammates. Then take your shots when you're open. It's much easier.
"The best part is we are winning. Last year in Phoenix, a lot of guys changed. I didn't find a chemistry with those guys. Then I stepped on the broken glass (at his home), and I was out for a month. I wasn't playing so well. Now I'm a new guy. On the court I'm feeling like a leader and I'm calling the plays."
Dragic has averaged 37 minutes as a starter and acknowledged feeling the grind during a loss Wednesday night, when he played the entire second half against Utah. He also is experiencing another new phenomenon -- "annoying" career speculation. Dragic will be an unrestricted free agent, and his play has earned the interest of several teams, including Phoenix. He is more non-committal about wanting to return now, although he has spent time with ex-Suns teammates on each trip.
"I loved playing with Goran," Phoenix's Channing Frye said. "He's a great player, an extreme competitor and an even better person. I'm happy he's doing well. He's young and only going to get better."
The Suns' need for Dragic is murky, too. Will Steve Nash return? Sebastian Telfair has a partial guarantee for next season. What will they do with Brooks? Could Dragic play off guard alongside Nash? And does Dragic now want his own show to run?
"I was dreaming about that moment to run a team and be the leader on the court," Dragic said. "I feel great here. The Houston organization gave me a lot of chances. The coaching staff and Kevin McHale believe in me. I owe these guys."
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