Let Us Reminisce: Vlade Divac
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> LA Lakers Lounge Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
yinoma2001
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 19 Jun 2010
Posts: 119487

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:29 am    Post subject: Let Us Reminisce: Vlade Divac

1989-1996 (plus 15 games in 2004-05).

Lakers average: 12.5ppg/8.7rpg/2.6apg/1.6bpg/1.2apg.

I really loved Vlade with Magic and then as part of the LakeShow crew with guys like Nick Van Exel.

Obviously was traded as part of the Kobe deal, but I think people forget about how nice Vlade was as a Laker, and that he had nearly 7 seasons in a Lakers uniform.

What are your memories of Vlade?
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
yinoma2001
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 19 Jun 2010
Posts: 119487

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 7:30 am    Post subject:

I think Vlade being a member of the Sacto Kings made people forget about his longer stint as a Laker. I feel Vlade doesn't get the love he deserves.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
GOODRICH25
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 17 Jun 2017
Posts: 3366

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 8:19 am    Post subject:

I remember him more for his int. career, but in the NBA mostly as a SacKing and that brief stint with us in 2005, so not much positive (from a Lakers fan perspective). His timing was off, joined a dynasty on its last legs snd spent the rest of his Laker career on a non contender, otherwise there could be a case made for #12 to be retired.
_________________
48 49 50 52 53 54 72 80 82
85 87 88 00 01 02 09 10 20

17 99 19 22 44 13 25 Mic.
52 33 32 42 34 8 24 16 23 3
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
AshesToAshes
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 20 Jun 2009
Posts: 4837

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:05 am    Post subject:

I was too busy figuring out who and then being excited for Kobe.

Didn't last too long as the Shaq announcement was a dancing moment IIRC.

I actually gave in that day and borrowed his rap CD from my buddy that was a huge shaq fan. lol

Think about Vlade less than Eddie Jones or even Caron Butler later on. Plus, screw the Queens.
_________________
KOBE!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
yinoma2001
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 19 Jun 2010
Posts: 119487

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 9:34 am    Post subject:

GOODRICH25 wrote:
I remember him more for his int. career, but in the NBA mostly as a SacKing and that brief stint with us in 2005, so not much positive (from a Lakers fan perspective). His timing was off, joined a dynasty on its last legs snd spent the rest of his Laker career on a non contender, otherwise there could be a case made for #12 to be retired.


The 1990s were my teenage years and I really loved Magic/Vlade and then that Lakeshow crew with Vlade and NVE/Jones and company. Vlade did make the HOF and had 7 seasons with the Lakers, but doubt they retire his jersey.

Would have been great if he could have joined the Magic team a few years earlier.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
ViolaMB
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 16 Mar 2009
Posts: 3334

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:02 pm    Post subject:

if anyone hasn't already watched the ESPN 30 for 30 'Once brothers' should really do so. i saw it 3 times already and it's fantastic. it's about his basketball youth in Yugoslavia, the serbia-croatia war, drazen petrovic, and then going to LA where Magic helped him a lot at the start...
_________________
ANOTHER WIN IN LA! BOSTON SUCKS!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
oasisdude77
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 2733

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:24 pm    Post subject:

Vlade was my favorite Laker during that time period. I loved how goofy he was and Chick always seemed to rib him all the time.

I’ll never forget how mad I was that Jerry West had the audacity to trade our starting center (remember this a few weeks before Shaq signed) for some 17 year old high school kid (I was only 14 and couldn’t see the bigger picture). Obviously I got over it really quick

But Vlade was definitely a great Laker, imo.

But that whole ‘Lake Show’ era was so much fun. Vlade, Elden Campbell, Ced Ceballos, Nick the quick, Eddie Jones, Anthony Peeler.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
kwase
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Posts: 3069

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:28 pm    Post subject:

2 things stand out to me when it comes to Vlade. His rookie year and we're playing the Blazers in the Conference Finals. Magic hits him with a sweet pass right under the basket, and instead of dunking it he decides to lay it in softly and misses. Magic had the look of death on his face and yells at him "Dunk that MF'er"!!!! LMAO!

The second was when we traded him to clear cap space for Shaq and he was so distraught he threatened retirement. I thought the guy was suicidal after that. But hey, he loved the Lakers so I'll always have a soft spot for him.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
non-player zealot
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Posts: 21365

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 12:58 pm    Post subject:

kwase wrote:
2 things stand out to me when it comes to Vlade. His rookie year and we're playing the Blazers in the Conference Finals. Magic hits him with a sweet pass right under the basket, and instead of dunking it he decides to lay it in softly and misses. Magic had the look of death on his face and yells at him "Dunk that MF'er"!!!! LMAO!

The second was when we traded him to clear cap space for Shaq and he was so distraught he threatened retirement. I thought the guy was suicidal after that. But hey, he loved the Lakers so I'll always have a soft spot for him.


Driving layup in Gm3 vs CHI, tho we lost, was a good Vlade moment. Went over to Magic like a child looking for a parent's approval, Magic hugged him. By 96, I think LA, fans and media alike, were tired of playing the encouragement game with him. He needed someone in his face constantly to make him play hard and aggressively. Gasol was like that, too, but Pau had a higher ceiling than Vlade, imo. Vlad did dumb, unaware, cavalier sh every other night. It was grating at times. EG, I'm gonna say 96 at ORL (iirc), a Magic player missed a shot at the end of the quarter and Vlad gets the board and casually walks out of bounds before the buzzer sounded. ORL got the ball back and Dennis Scott hit a 3 at the actual buzzer. Stuff like that. Mostly small, but annoying in aggregate. I went to a game at the Sports Arena in 93/4 where we blew a 17 pt lead and the end was Vlade shooting two treys and missing. They truly flubbed whatever Randy P drew up, if anything. Randy P was close to the end then.

Nother Vlade moment was in Gm2 at SA in 95 where I think we coulda won the game if Vlad hit 2 FTs and he bricked both of course. He supposedly cried in the locker room because he would've known 0-2 was Refrigerator against the Spurs.
_________________
GOAT MAGIC REEL
SEDALE TRIBUTE
EDDIE DONX!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
jonnybravo
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 30619

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 1:17 pm    Post subject:

People forget that the year we upset Seattle, he was a 16/10/4 centerwith 2 blocks a game. After he missed those clutch free throws against the Spurs, it seemed to me like he was never quite the same. He shot 77% from the line in 94-95 and shot about 10% worse on average for the reset of his career.

He was really, REALLY good.

I remember him blocking Kobe on a break. That was Frobe version 1.0 too.



Kobe even mentioned later (laughingly) that he was determined to pay Vlade back for that.
_________________
KOBE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Cutheon
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 10 Jul 2009
Posts: 12111
Location: Bay Area

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 3:06 pm    Post subject:

jonnybravo wrote:
People forget that the year we upset Seattle, he was a 16/10/4 centerwith 2 blocks a game. After he missed those clutch free throws against the Spurs, it seemed to me like he was never quite the same. He shot 77% from the line in 94-95 and shot about 10% worse on average for the reset of his career.

He was really, REALLY good.

I remember him blocking Kobe on a break. That was Frobe version 1.0 too.



Kobe even mentioned later (laughingly) that he was determined to pay Vlade back for that.


Boy did he
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LakerLanny
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Oct 2001
Posts: 47565

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:13 pm    Post subject:

Despite his relentless flopping as a Sacramento Queen, I have nothing but love for Vlade.
_________________
Love, Laker Lanny
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
gristmill
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 07 Mar 2012
Posts: 151

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:16 pm    Post subject:

non-player zealot wrote:
kwase wrote:
2 things stand out to me when it comes to Vlade. His rookie year and we're playing the Blazers in the Conference Finals. Magic hits him with a sweet pass right under the basket, and instead of dunking it he decides to lay it in softly and misses. Magic had the look of death on his face and yells at him "Dunk that MF'er"!!!! LMAO!

The second was when we traded him to clear cap space for Shaq and he was so distraught he threatened retirement. I thought the guy was suicidal after that. But hey, he loved the Lakers so I'll always have a soft spot for him.


Driving layup in Gm3 vs CHI, tho we lost, was a good Vlade moment. Went over to Magic like a child looking for a parent's approval, Magic hugged him. By 96, I think LA, fans and media alike, were tired of playing the encouragement game with him. He needed someone in his face constantly to make him play hard and aggressively. Gasol was like that, too, but Pau had a higher ceiling than Vlade, imo. Vlad did dumb, unaware, cavalier sh every other night. It was grating at times. EG, I'm gonna say 96 at ORL (iirc), a Magic player missed a shot at the end of the quarter and Vlad gets the board and casually walks out of bounds before the buzzer sounded. ORL got the ball back and Dennis Scott hit a 3 at the actual buzzer. Stuff like that. Mostly small, but annoying in aggregate. I went to a game at the Sports Arena in 93/4 where we blew a 17 pt lead and the end was Vlade shooting two treys and missing. They truly flubbed whatever Randy P drew up, if anything. Randy P was close to the end then.

Nother Vlade moment was in Gm2 at SA in 95 where I think we coulda won the game if Vlad hit 2 FTs and he bricked both of course. He supposedly cried in the locker room because he would've known 0-2 was Refrigerator against the Spurs.





_________________
Proud member of the anti-tank brigade!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
oasisdude77
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 2733

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:20 pm    Post subject:

jonnybravo wrote:
People forget that the year we upset Seattle, he was a 16/10/4 centerwith 2 blocks a game. After he missed those clutch free throws against the Spurs, it seemed to me like he was never quite the same. He shot 77% from the line in 94-95 and shot about 10% worse on average for the reset of his career.

He was really, REALLY good.

I remember him blocking Kobe on a break. That was Frobe version 1.0 too.



Kobe even mentioned later (laughingly) that he was determined to pay Vlade back for that.


Oh man, those two missed free throws! All he needed was one for us to steal game 2. And that was the series we took them to 6 games with Nick hitting that running 3 pointer almost at the buzzer to force game 6. And if we won that series, we would've then played the Rockets in the WCF, who we, oddly, owned that season.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
JUST-MING
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 43950

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:42 pm    Post subject:

oasisdude77 wrote:

Oh man, those two missed free throws! All he needed was one for us to steal game 2. And that was the series we took them to 6 games with Nick hitting that running 3 pointer almost at the buzzer to force game 6. And if we won that series, we would've then played the Rockets in the WCF, who we, oddly, owned that season.


Nick hit two clutch threes in game 5.

For the tie

For the win


Last edited by JUST-MING on Wed Apr 01, 2020 5:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
activeverb
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 37470

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Let Us Reminisce: Vlade Divac

yinoma2001 wrote:
1989-1996 (plus 15 games in 2004-05).

Lakers average: 12.5ppg/8.7rpg/2.6apg/1.6bpg/1.2apg.

I really loved Vlade with Magic and then as part of the LakeShow crew with guys like Nick Van Exel.

Obviously was traded as part of the Kobe deal, but I think people forget about how nice Vlade was as a Laker, and that he had nearly 7 seasons in a Lakers uniform.

What are your memories of Vlade?


Divac was a good, all-around center who played in an era filled with great centers. He was a finesse guy who played soft. Great passer who flopped a lot.

Never close to making an All-Star team or winning any postseason awards while he was with us. At his best, he was probably the 7-10th best center in the league.

He kind of symbolized our down period between showtime and the Shaq Kobe era: good but not quite good enough, so he left you a little frustrated.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
jonnybravo
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 30619

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:55 pm    Post subject:

oasisdude77 wrote:
Vlade was my favorite Laker during that time period. I loved how goofy he was and Chick always seemed to rib him all the time.

I’ll never forget how mad I was that Jerry West had the audacity to trade our starting center (remember this a few weeks before Shaq signed) for some 17 year old high school kid (I was only 14 and couldn’t see the bigger picture). Obviously I got over it really quick

But Vlade was definitely a great Laker, imo.

But that whole ‘Lake Show’ era was so much fun. Vlade, Elden Campbell, Ced Ceballos, Nick the quick, Eddie Jones, Anthony Peeler.


That wasn't how it went down exactly. Vlade wasn't mad, he was completely distraught because of how much he loved being a Laker and the situation he was in. He was ready to quit the NBA and go back to Europe. As usual, West saved the day when he convinced Vlade that it was for the overall good of the team after which Vlade came off the ledge and the rest is history. I'll always have a soft sport for him.

I think the 91 series would have been different (not saying we would have won) if Magic had the 94-95 version of Vlade at his disposal. Vlade would have feasted.
_________________
KOBE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
JUST-MING
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 43950

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 4:58 pm    Post subject:

My favorite memory of Vlade?

The tip out to Robert Horry
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LakerLanny
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Oct 2001
Posts: 47565

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 5:04 pm    Post subject:

JUST-MING wrote:
My favorite memory of Vlade?

The tip out to Robert Horry


I was at that game in literally the top row at the Sistine Chapel of Basketball, the house that Kobe and Shaq built.

I will never forget it. Thanks for refreshing the memory.
_________________
Love, Laker Lanny
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
oasisdude77
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 02 Oct 2007
Posts: 2733

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 5:44 pm    Post subject:

jonnybravo wrote:
oasisdude77 wrote:
Vlade was my favorite Laker during that time period. I loved how goofy he was and Chick always seemed to rib him all the time.

I’ll never forget how mad I was that Jerry West had the audacity to trade our starting center (remember this a few weeks before Shaq signed) for some 17 year old high school kid (I was only 14 and couldn’t see the bigger picture). Obviously I got over it really quick

But Vlade was definitely a great Laker, imo.

But that whole ‘Lake Show’ era was so much fun. Vlade, Elden Campbell, Ced Ceballos, Nick the quick, Eddie Jones, Anthony Peeler.


That wasn't how it went down exactly. Vlade wasn't mad, he was completely distraught because of how much he loved being a Laker and the situation he was in. He was ready to quit the NBA and go back to Europe. As usual, West saved the day when he convinced Vlade that it was for the overall good of the team after which Vlade came off the ledge and the rest is history. I'll always have a soft sport for him.

I think the 91 series would have been different (not saying we would have won) if Magic had the 94-95 version of Vlade at his disposal. Vlade would have feasted.


Nah man, you misunderstood what I wrote. I was mad Mad that the Lakers were trading away my favorite player for some unknown high school kid. Again, the naivety of youth
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
All_Star_Laker
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 30 Jul 2005
Posts: 2672
Location: NYC

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 6:20 pm    Post subject:

LakerLanny wrote:
JUST-MING wrote:
My favorite memory of Vlade?

The tip out to Robert Horry


I was at that game in literally the top row at the Sistine Chapel of Basketball, the house that Kobe and Shaq built.

I will never forget it. Thanks for refreshing the memory.


I was working as a Lifeguard in high school at a community pool and listening to the game on a handheld radio in the lifeguard tower. I started yelling like a crazy person and alarmed a couple people at the gated community pool. I could have cared less.
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
jonnybravo
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 30619

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 6:51 pm    Post subject:

oasisdude77 wrote:
jonnybravo wrote:
oasisdude77 wrote:
Vlade was my favorite Laker during that time period. I loved how goofy he was and Chick always seemed to rib him all the time.

I’ll never forget how mad I was that Jerry West had the audacity to trade our starting center (remember this a few weeks before Shaq signed) for some 17 year old high school kid (I was only 14 and couldn’t see the bigger picture). Obviously I got over it really quick

But Vlade was definitely a great Laker, imo.

But that whole ‘Lake Show’ era was so much fun. Vlade, Elden Campbell, Ced Ceballos, Nick the quick, Eddie Jones, Anthony Peeler.


That wasn't how it went down exactly. Vlade wasn't mad, he was completely distraught because of how much he loved being a Laker and the situation he was in. He was ready to quit the NBA and go back to Europe. As usual, West saved the day when he convinced Vlade that it was for the overall good of the team after which Vlade came off the ledge and the rest is history. I'll always have a soft sport for him.

I think the 91 series would have been different (not saying we would have won) if Magic had the 94-95 version of Vlade at his disposal. Vlade would have feasted.


Nah man, you misunderstood what I wrote. I was mad Mad that the Lakers were trading away my favorite player for some unknown high school kid. Again, the naivety of youth


Ah gotcha. Dude, me and my buddy felt the EXACT same way. KG didn't exactly set the league on fire the season prior so we were PISSED that we gave up a legit starting C for a gangly 17 year old guard.
_________________
KOBE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
C M B
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 15 Nov 2006
Posts: 19852
Location: Prarie & Manchester, high above the western sideline

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 10:58 pm    Post subject:

never cared for him, not a fan

I'll always be pleased with his value as currency
_________________
http://chickhearn.ytmnd.com/

Sister Golden Hair wrote:
LAMAR ODOM is an anagram for ... DOOM ALARM
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Reply with quote
Steve007
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 21 Jul 2006
Posts: 13165

PostPosted: Wed Apr 01, 2020 11:41 pm    Post subject:

Vlade made up for those missed free throws seven years later (in 2002). He missed 2 very late in the game, and shortly after that Horry hit a 3 to beat the Kings and tie the series up at 2-2 (and as someone here mentioned, Vlade tipped the ball to Horry).

Speaking of missed free throws against the Spurs, even Kobe missed a couple of huge free throws in game 2 in 1999. But Kobe wasn’t going to let that stop him.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
non-player zealot
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 05 Nov 2007
Posts: 21365

PostPosted: Thu Apr 02, 2020 12:06 am    Post subject:

kwase wrote:
2 things stand out to me when it comes to Vlade. His rookie year and we're playing the Blazers in the Conference Finals. Magic hits him with a sweet pass right under the basket, and instead of dunking it he decides to lay it in softly and misses. Magic had the look of death on his face and yells at him "Dunk that MF'er"!!!! LMAO!




4th Qtr LA comeback in Gm 1 of that series, Vlade played well in this game, too. This is how we beat Porty in 2000 and Sac in 2002. Nab that 1st game while the opp is sleeping. By Game 7, that 1st game you coughed up will haunt you more than it did the day you lost it. Vlade always got under Duckworth's skin. You could tell Duck hated him. Magic's pass across court over a double team with 15 secs to go...no one in the league could make that pass then but him.


_________________
GOAT MAGIC REEL
SEDALE TRIBUTE
EDDIE DONX!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> LA Lakers Lounge All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page 1, 2, 3  Next
Page 1 of 3
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB