Divac to have back surgery

[Peja4threee]

Associated Press





DALLAS -- Vlade Divac needs back surgery and will be out at least 12 more weeks, another setback to the center's homecoming season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I heard today he's going to be out pretty long," Lakers coach Rudy Tomjanovich said before Wednesday night's game against the Mavericks. "It's a tough thing, but it happens. He was part of our plans but it just never materialized. We were hoping to use that passing to get some layups."

Divac went on the injured list Nov. 1 with a herniated disk in his lower back. He returned Nov. 23, but played just 37 minutes over eight games. Divac also had surgery to repair a herniated disk in November 1991, his third season in the league.

"Hopefully that'll loosen it up for him," teammate Kobe Bryant said. "He'll be fine."

Divac, who turns 37 next month, spent his first seven seasons with the Lakers and the past six with Sacramento. He signed with Los Angeles in the offseason.

Tomjanovich said not having Divac could mean more minutes for Slava Medvedenko, who hasn't played much lately.

"I think the guy deserves to start playing," Tomjanovich said.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I feel for Vlade, but this does prety much show the wisdom of not offering the old guy too much money to NOT play in Sac. Get Well Vlade! Sucks to be LA

 

[SacTownKid]

I have heard rumblings of a position on the Kings bench as a coach. Sounds good to me.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Yeah, it's a damn shame we couldn't pay him four and a half million to stay...

[/sarcasm]

 

[VF21]

And so, most likely, Vlade will retire...

 

[HndsmCelt]

And so, most likely, Vlade will retire...

Shame he could not have retired as a King... you know going out with style.

 

[Twix]

Get well soon, Vlade!!!

 

[Gargamel]

And so, most likely, Vlade will retire...

I think LA should trade him. You wouldn't mind, eh, Vlade?

 

[Bricklayer]

Clearly God has sent a rather powerful message about what happens to those who would leave the Kings to go play for basketball's version of the Evil Empire.

 

[Evenstar]

Clearly God has sent a rather powerful message about what happens to those who would leave the Kings to go play for basketball's version of the Evil Empire.

LMAO!!!

letting vlade go for tag is looking better every day. it's too bad he didn't retire a king.

 

[albeitrue]

Clearly God has sent a rather powerful message about what happens to those who would leave the Kings to go play for basketball's version of the Evil Empire.

LOL! Not to mention the message sent to Evil Empire: Shaq is literally irreplaceable.

 

[KingKong]

Another good move by Petrie for not signing Vlade. It seems that he would have broken down at some point anyway and I'm glad that our Petrie & Co were prescient enough to see that coming. I do hope that Vlade recovers soon though.

 

[KA_2]

Actually, if the Hornets decide to deal Magloire or Davis (both have asked for trades), Vlade's expiring contract plus some young talent (maybe Butler) would put the Lakers in the running for one of those two players (another contract besides Vlade/Butler would have to be added for Davis, but not Magloire). I'd prefer Magloire obviously, smaller contract that fills a more pressing need, shot blocking and rebounding.

If Vlade nets the Lakers a big like that, he'd be well worth half a season of nothing. We'll see.

 

[TheSerbianQueen]

After hearing the news I am 100% sure this is last year for him. Season has been anything but good for him and I see no reason for him to be back next year (age is obviously catching up with him)..... It is just too bad that he has to spend his last season being injured and playing... well, hardly playing any minutes.

In any case - GOOD LUCK VLADE AND HOPE YOU GET WELL SOON!

 

[Gargamel]

Actually, if the Hornets decide to deal Magloire or Davis (both have asked for trades), Vlade's expiring contract plus some young talent (maybe Butler) would put the Lakers in the running for one of those two players (another contract besides Vlade/Butler would have to be added for Davis, but not Magloire). I'd prefer Magloire obviously, smaller contract that fills a more pressing need, shot blocking and rebounding.

If Vlade nets the Lakers a big like that, he'd be well worth half a season of nothing. We'll see.

God I wish, but if I know Mitch, he's waiting for Vlade to get well by April for the "championship push".

 

[VF21]

So once again the Evil Empire will just shuttle Vlade out the door?

The guy came back to LA to end his career, not only because of the money but because of Magic Johnson and the loyalty Vlade felt to the organization that brought him to the NBA.

How typical that the first thoughts by LA fans are to trade him away.

I hope he simply retires and doesn't give LA the satisfaction of slapping him in the face TWICE in one career.

 

[Kingsgurl]

Sad, Vlade deserves better than that. Get well soon, Vlade!!! June would be nice.

 

[JP_Lakerfan]

So once again the Evil Empire will just shuttle Vlade out the door?

The guy came back to LA to end his career, not only because of the money but because of Magic Johnson and the loyalty Vlade felt to the organization that brought him to the NBA.

How typical that the first thoughts by LA fans are to trade him away.

I hope he simply retires and doesn't give LA the satisfaction of slapping him in the face TWICE in one career.

I hardly think Vlade would have left for LA if Sac gave him the same money. If they trade him, he may retire anyway. Similar to Fox. It's a business. I'm sure they would talk to him about it first, but they will put the best interest of the team ahead of sentiment.

 

[VF21]

This isn't about Sacramento not wanting to give him the money.

I don't know if you saw it but during one of the half-time games when Magic was talking, he referred to Vlade "coming home" and how glad they were he (Vlade) had made the decision to end his career with the team he had started with.

Or was Magic just talking to hear himself speak?

We're on different ends of the spectrum about this, so neither of us is likely to change our minds. But, for the record, my comment WASN'T about the Lakers organization. It was about the Laker fans in this thread whose first thought was about dumping Vlade.

 

[Gargamel]

How typical that the first thoughts by LA fans are to trade him away.

Every man must fight and die for himself! Dee streets will flow with dee blood of dee nonbelievers!

-- Beavis

I hope he simply retires and doesn't give LA the satisfaction of slapping him in the face TWICE in one career.

Twice to the same team! Hey, NO is better than Charlotte...

 

[Gargamel]

Or was Magic just talking to hear himself speak?

Ever see The Magic Hour?

We're on different ends of the spectrum about this, so neither of us is likely to change our minds. But, for the record, my comment WASN'T about the Lakers organization. It was about the Laker fans in this thread whose first thought was about dumping Vlade.

Trade!...trade!...trade!...trade!... Lol.

 

[VF21]

Oh yeah?

Well, take this:

 

[Gargamel]

Oh, yeah? Take THIS!

"You make me wanna....YA YA YA YA.....You make me wanna.....UH UH UH UH...You make me wanna....SCREEEAAUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!"

 

[6th]

Oh, yeah? Take THIS!

"You make me wanna....YA YA YA YA.....You make me wanna.....UH UH UH UH...You make me wanna....SCREEEAAUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!"

OH YEAH??? Then take this...

Or, how about this?

 

[Padrino]

this is a career-ending injury, surgery or no. its a damn shame, but i wouldnt expect to see vlade in the playoffs. back injuries are the trickiest in professional sports. they're among the worst outside of sports as well, cuz they simply do not go away. hobbled, out of condition, and out of touch with the lakers system (tho it is as simple as "give kobe the ball" ), there just wont be a place for vlade come playoff time, even if he is healthy enough to participate. i imagine he'll retire before season's end. if not, then i would expect it to happen over the summer. but hey, maybe the old man will prove me wrong.

 

[VF21]

I agree, Padrino... Vlade is not exactly a poster-child for physical conditioning anyway. He won't be killing himself to get back into shape to sit on the bench.

And BTW the quotes in that article are truly laughable...

Kobe: "Hopefully that'll loosen it up for him," teammate Kobe Bryant said. "He'll be fine."

Rudy T (apparently refering to Slava getting more time now that Vlade's not gonna be available): "I think the guy deserves to start playing," Tomjanovich said.

Ya think, Rudy? Gee, maybe you should mention it to the coach. You know, the guy who decides whether a player rides the pine or actually gets on the court?

...

...

Oh, wait. You ARE the coach, aren't you, Rudy? Or did you forget that? OR...maybe, just maybe ... you have to check with the brave little soldier first?

You know, the guy who dismisses Vlade's injury with a shrug and a "He'll be fine."

 

[Padrino]

I agree, Padrino... Vlade is not exactly a poster-child for physical conditioning anyway. He won't be killing himself to get back into shape to sit on the bench.

And BTW the quotes in that article are truly laughable...

Kobe: "Hopefully that'll loosen it up for him," teammate Kobe Bryant said. "He'll be fine."

Rudy T (apparently refering to Slava getting more time now that Vlade's not gonna be available): "I think the guy deserves to start playing," Tomjanovich said.

Ya think, Rudy? Gee, maybe you should mention it to the coach. You know, the guy who decides whether a player rides the pine or actually gets on the court?

...

...

Oh, wait. You ARE the coach, aren't you, Rudy? Or did you forget that? OR...maybe, just maybe ... you have to check with the brave little soldier first?

You know, the guy who dismisses Vlade's injury with a shrug and a "He'll be fine."

hehe....yer quite the cynic on this subject......i like it.

imo, i dont think kobe really cared either way whether or not vlade ever saw the court. im sure he would have appreciated someone who could pass the ball to him so efficiently, but he can create in plenty of other ways. as for rudy t....i wonder how long its gonna take him to get fed up with bryant. who wants to take some bets on this one? i mean, the lakers are a mere 2 games over .500. this team was considered a title contender last season. talk about a shift in the balance of powers in la la land.....

 

[VF21]

Padrino - Your signature is from "Top Gun," right?

Anyway, just thought some might be interested. At least one group of Laker fans is already clamoring for Rudy's head on a stake outside Staples Center. It is HE who will end up taking all the blame, not the almighty Kobe...

But that's just the opinion of one Kings fan.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Padrino - Your signature is from "Top Gun," right?

Anyway, just thought some might be interested. At least one group of Laker fans is already clamoring for Rudy's head on a stake outside Staples Center. It is HE who will end up being sacrificed, not the almighty Kobe...

But that's just the opinion of one Kings fan.

Yeah noticed the same thing on Laker boards... I wonder who they thing could coach Kobe? But it seems the majority are wiseing up as evidenced by Jersy sales.

 

[KingKong]

Vlade's expiring contact may get him traded from the Lakers which will pretty much suck for him considering he wanted to only retire as a King or a Laker. I hope he just retires and joins our coaching staff or becomes our resident cheerleader.