Drazen Petrovic marked the period of my generation's youth as a man whose persistence and hard work raised him to eternity. His accomplishments are the results of his character, personality and greatness - not only as a basketball player, but as a human being as well. This Internet project is one big Thank you Drazen for all that his life has thought us, what has given us, and what probably will give to the generations ahead.

I had privileged knowing Drazen and as everybody else I know, I was impressed by his way of understanding the game of basketball and the life around it.

We all do remember Drazen in our own way and my memories of him are from Cibona and New Jersey. In Cibona he brought joy to me and at New Jersey he made me proud to be Croatian since we both were in the United States at that time.

It was just a struggle for the country at war and Drazen stud tall, above everyone...every basket he made it's like he was saying This one for my people...and this one... and this one...

I'll never forget the game preview between Chicago and New Jersey Nets on CBS, a friend of mine Mladen and I were watching it in Pittsburgh. It said Jordan vs. Petrovic. Nets had Coleman and Anderson, but CBS knew who was the Nets' leader. Jordan was the defensive player of the year and Drazen scored 27 points while Jordan guarded him. We were so proud..it's hard to express our excitement at this time, but it clearly tells you how we and everybody else felt about him.

You didn't have to be Croatian to love Drazen. Come to think of it, everyone loved him. I guess I could go on and write forever about those day in America but I'll just end it here. Thank you Drazen.

Thank you Drazen for those years...thanks and God bless you...

Author

Credits:
1. Neven Betricevic - author of story about Drazen from the magazine "Kosarka"
2. Magazine "Kosarka" - pictures
3. Video tape - "Drazen Petrovic - basketball Mozart" - video and audio recordings, pictures.