Photo Of The Day: Because Drazen Petrovic Was Gangsta

Every day, SBNation.com will celebrate a random photo series from the past or present, making your morning a little more colorful.

If you missed ESPN’s Once Brothers Tuesday night, here’s a public service announcement: The film re-airs at 8 p.m. tonight (on ESPN2), and you should watch it. If nothing else, for Vlade Divac narrating, and to relive the uniforms.

And because... Drazen Petrovic. He was taken from the world just as everyone began to understand his genius, and it’s a tragedy that still makes us wonder, “What could he have done?” Of course, the tragedy is also part of the mystique.

If Once Brothers had just been a series of testimonials on the rise and untimely demise of Drazen Petrovic, it probably would have been appointment television, anyway. But that’s just one piece of what makes Once Brothers compelling. There’s also the story of Vlade Divac, one of Drazen’s closest friends, who became estranged from Petrovic and his Serbian teammates when a civil war broke out back home.

The two men never got a chance to mend their relationship before Petrovic was killed in a car crash in 1993. So, if you think his death haunts NBA fans... Imagine being Vlade.

And that’s your documentary. Vlade Divac, Kenny Anderson, Magic Johnson, Toni Kukoc and more--all reminiscing about the good days, and bravely revisiting the bad. It’s powerful stuff. Chills, giggles, nostalgia, and some tears. I joked that it gave me temporary menopause. That may sound ridiculous, but it really does run the gamut of emotions. Goofy and profound and ultimately, enlightening.

If you missed it, check it out tonight at 8 p.m.

(HT: Jose3030 for the video)