Former NBA player Vernon Maxwell recently compared the late Drazen Petrovic to Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic, calling both players “killers” on the court.
During an appearance on Club 520 Podcast, Maxwell expressed his deep respect for Petrovic’s competitive spirit and drew parallels between the Croatian legend and Doncic, noting their similar approach to the game.
Maxwell recounted his experiences guarding Petrovic, highlighting the challenge he posed every time they faced off.
“Oh boy, Petrovic. That motherf*cker was something else, man. God bless you,” Maxwell said, emphasizing Petrovic’s relentless nature. He recalled telling his coach, Rudy Tomjanovich, to treat Petrovic with the same level of caution as Michael Jordan, insisting that he be the one to guard Petrovic whenever he entered the game.
The conversation shifted to comparisons between Petrovic and Doncic, a player known for his scoring prowess and ability to take over games.
When asked about the comparison, Maxwell agreed without hesitation. “I agree, Luka is a killer too,” he said.
Petrovic, who tragically passed away in 1993, was known for his fierce competitiveness and scoring ability, much like Doncic today. Petrovic made a significant impact during his time in the NBA, particularly with the New Jersey Nets, where he averaged over 20 points per game in his final two seasons.
His influence extended beyond his numbers, as he was one of the first European players to truly succeed in the NBA, paving the way for future international stars.
Doncic, who hails from Slovenia, has taken the league by storm since being drafted by the Mavericks in 2018. This past season, he averaged 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s premier players. Doncic’s ability to control the game with his scoring, passing, and basketball IQ has drawn comparisons to some of the greatest players in history, including Petrovic.
