DRAŽEN PETROVIĆ AND VLADE DIVAC: ONCE BROTHERS OF DIFFERENT RACE DURING THE SHINING SPORT AND DECLINING SELF-MANAGEMENT ECONOMICS

Isa Mulaj

Abstract

The primary motivation in this paper is inspired by the notion “brothers” from two perspectives: first, the official and popular motto of Yugoslavia was “brotherhood and unity”; and second, “Once Brothers” sports documentary film released on 12 October 2010 featuring the relationship between the basketball stars Dražen Petrovic and Vlade Divac. The secondary motivation derived from my research interest in the Yugoslav economic system of self-management socialism. Although the causes of Yugoslavia’s collapse are relatively well established in the mainstream theory, this paper aims at investigating another aspect which was thriving and becoming a golden age at the time when economic performance had taken an unstoppable downward turn. This paradox in the deepening of economic crisis and political tensions culminating in the civil wars, made many former Yugoslav sportsmen and most of their fans even today to hold politics responsible for their separation. Current sport generation or those who had not experienced the Yugoslav golden age of 1980s, seem to regret and rumor that, had Yugoslavia not broken apart, her national teams apart from basketball were on the way of dominating the international sport in many competitions. But did sport, basketball, by which Yugoslavia was increasing her international reputation, played any or supporting role in rising nationalism and outbreak of the civil wars? This paper will go into broader and deeper causes of a small incident between two famous “Once Brothers”, with spillover subsequent effects and consequences.

Pages: 115 - 137