Dalipagic, Hero by Chance. Farewell to Mister 70 Points

Farewell to Dalipagic, one of the greatest players of Yugoslavia, capable of winning thegold at the Moscow Games in 1980 and give 70 points to the Virtus Bologna, with the shirt of of Reyer Venezia.

Drazen Dalipagic, known as Praja, was 73 years old and had been ill for some time. But he remained and remains a legend for those who love basketball. There are a thousand and more stories that tie him to Italy, to the NBA and even to Dino Meneghin, with whom there was a sort of bet on who would retire later. A deadly shooter, Praja, who was born in Mostar on November 27, 1951. He started with handball, then played stopper in Velez and he carried the nickname Praja with him precisely because he is the (soccer) player he looks up to. Yes, because one of the greatest basketball players of all time, took a basketball in his hand when he was already 19 years old. In Italy, for this reason, they wouldn't have taken him into consideration. He trained - 600 shots a day, alone, after finishing work with his teammates - and became a deadly shooter.

In Belgrade, where he starts, almost by chance, a season, he averages 49,2 points. What is the peculiarity? That we are talking about the early Eighties: the three-point shot, at least in Europe, does not exist.

On January 25 (bitter irony of fate, the same day of his passing) 1987 he scored 70 points in the Virtus Bologna. At the Arsenal, as at the Azteca in Mexico City, there is a plaque that commemorates the feat. Sandro Gamba, coach of Virtus, desperately alternates four scorers on him: 40 points at halftime, 70 at the end with 18/23 two-pointers, 5/9 three-pointers and 19/19 free throws.

A phenomenon with a big moustache and slumped shoulders. Dressed in civilian clothes, like another basketball legend, Kresimir Cosic, he looks like the 'mezzemaniche' next door. With a ball in his hands he is an artist, an absolute genius. Moreover, loved by his rivals, because Praja is a phenomenon, but he never lets it be seen.

In 1977 he is one step away from the Boston Celtics. Red Auerbach is thinking about the coup, but he, Praja, who has recently become the father of Davorin, does not feel like leaving. He goes to Venice, comes close to winning the Korac Cup. He has fun, even if, deep down, his idiosyncrasy towards vaporetti remains. A year at Real Madrid, after Partizan and then the Italian experiences with of Reyer Venezia, Udine and Verona. Hello Giant.