Divac to have back surgery

KA_2

KA_2

Bench
#31
#31
Vlade will be traded or be bought out and then retire, you can bank on it. This is career ending type of surgery. Vlade wouldn't care if he was traded, he can simply retire from the NBA and he wouldn't play for the Hornets. This is exactly what the Lakers organization did with Rick Fox last summer; told him to delay his retirement until they traded his contract to Boston. He did so without any fuss and that was that. This happens quite a lot in the NBA, and no disrespect is meant towards the player being traded. I'm sad to see Vlade go out like this, but most likely this surgery will end his career. The Lakers don't want him back after all of this, and Vlade's well aware that he doesn't have much (or anything) left now.

As far as Rudy is concerned, he indeed needs to be fired and it has nothing to do with Kobe. The guy is still stuck in the 90's and is still entranced by four-down ball with 3-point shooting galore. He did it with Hakeem for good reason, but when he did it with Francis, and now Kobe, you know he just has no idea how to run a good set offense. Heck, his defensive preparation looks shoddy as well. I was high on the guy because I thought he'd come back refreshed and I thought he had a sense for how the rules have changed with zone and the "new" hand checking rules, but apparently he has learned nothing since 1993. I mean my god, could he misuse Odom more than he has? Just sad.
 
HndsmCelt

HndsmCelt

Hall of Famer
#32
#32
Rudy T.... playing career destroyed by Laker Kermit Washington
Coaching career destroyed by Laker Kobe Bryant
LA has not been good to Rudy.
 
Gargamel

Gargamel

Starter
#33
#33
HndsmCelt said:
Rudy T.... playing career destroyed by Laker Kermit Washington
Coaching career destroyed by Laker Kobe Bryant
LA has not been good to Rudy.
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Washington's playing career was destroyed, not Rudy's.
 
jacobdrj

jacobdrj

Bench
#34
#34
Well, Rudy, from what I understand, was never the same, and quit a couple unproductive seasons later. Yeah, Kermit was totally destroyed. I don't know either of them (both are before my time) so I have no opinion on it. I suppose it was the first Todd Bertuzzi situation?
 
quick dog

quick dog

Starter
#35
#35
Kermit Washington exhibited poorer judgement on that night than Ron Artest showed in Little Fallujah. KingsFans political considerations prevent further discussion of that incident.
 
Kingsgurl

Kingsgurl

Starter
#36
#36
Vlade wouldn't care if he was traded, he can simply retire from the NBA and he wouldn't play for the Hornets.
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Really? So, you've spoken with him about the situation? He'd be A-OK with being dumped like last weeks trash? Since he can simply retire, wouldn't it be far more respectful to let him retire a laker, like he signed on to do?
 
ILV

ILV

Bench
#37
#37
Here's an update:

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/divac_surgery_050107.html

EL SEGUNDO, Jan. 7, 2005 -- Los Angeles Lakers center Vlade Divac underwent successful lumbar disc microsurgery today to repair a herniated disc in his back, it was announced today.


The surgery, which took slightly more than an hour, was performed by Dr. William Dillin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Group at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, CA. Divac is expected to be out approximately 12 weeks.

Divac originally suffered the injury during an off-season workout prior to training camp, and was on the injured list from November 2 to November 23. In eight games this season, the 7-1 center has averaged 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 4.6 minutes. Divac reinjured his back approximately three weeks ago and was subsequently placed on the injured list again on December 22. Divac, who was signed as a free agent by the Lakers on July 20, is a 15-year NBA veteran who began his career with the Lakers when Los Angeles selected him in the first round (26th overall) of the 1989 NBA Draft. A starter in 81 contests last season with the Sacramento Kings, Divac averaged 9.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 28.6 minutes.
 
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V

vj9999

Starter
#39
#39
Vlade had an inerview on b92 site few days ago. Here is the part that is relative to the Kings:

"When I look back on my career with the Kings, I can only say it was successful. We took a team that was doing badly ad at the bottom of the league and turned it around to one of the best in the league. Few years we were even fighting for the championship title, but that the part of the sport:winning and losing, good luck and bad luck. One time we were unlucky, second time we didn't have enough quality to climb over that step (and I am thinking of the last season there) and I realised that my cycle in Sacramento was over ad it would be the bes for me to find a new lace and ty and play another year or two on some other team. I keep coming back to the last season, which I would love to forget and this injury lthat keeps bothering me in in some way threathening to end my career. Return to L was interesting. It was my homecoming, regardless that I played in Charlotte and Sacramento for many years, I spent the most time (played most seasons) in LA. It is natural that my return to LA was the easiest - so that's what happened. There were alot of people here that I knew from before, except of course for the team which has changed significantly. New coach is here as well and it will take some time for everything to start "clicking" together. "

http://www.b92.net/sport/dnevnici.php?nav_id=159187&dd=03&mm=01&yyyy=2005
 
Padrino

Padrino

All-Star
#41
#41
KingKong said:
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.
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i like this idea. i dont know how effective he would be as a coach, but some position within our organization would be worth considering.....lets face it, vlade divac started his career with LA, and he may very well end it there, but he belongs here in sacramento.
 
KA_2

KA_2

Bench
#42
#42
Kingsgurl said:
Really? So, you've spoken with him about the situation? He'd be A-OK with being dumped like last weeks trash? Since he can simply retire, wouldn't it be far more respectful to let him retire a laker, like he signed on to do?
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Not really. Vlade signed on to play. He hasn't, and it's solely his own fault. He hasn't done his job, the least he can do is help the Lakers acquire a player (any player) to get out from under his contract. I'm not sure what "retiring a Laker" would accomplish for Vlade, unless you know for a fact that Vlade has a deep desire to make it known he retired a Laker. Quite honestly, I see no reason why he would give a crap, he'll still be able to live and retire in LA, run his restaurant, etc. whether or not he is traded.

He knows he should retire at this point, and if he doesn't know he's in extreme denial.
 
Kingsgurl

Kingsgurl

Starter
#43
#43
He stated after the signing that he wished to retire a Laker, return to the Franchise that gave him his beginning. Perhaps it is only fitting they trade him yet again. Apparently the loyatly runs only one direction;)
 
Gargamel

Gargamel

Starter
#44
#44
Kingsgurl said:
Apparently the loyatly runs only one direction;)
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Hopefully. We need another big to take his place...or a decent PG. But like I said...Mitch is probably banking on him being healthy for that stretch drive. Good old Mitch...
 
quick dog

quick dog

Starter
#45
#45
Show me the money!. Was that from Jerry MacGuire? End of the professional sports story.

He made be retired, but Vlade Divac is still a great man.
 
J

JP_Lakerfan

Prospect
#46
#46
Kingsgurl said:
He stated after the signing that he wished to retire a Laker, return to the Franchise that gave him his beginning. Perhaps it is only fitting they trade him yet again. Apparently the loyatly runs only one direction;)
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Please, the Lakers signing of Vlade was about him playing basketball, not bringing him "home" to retire a Laker. If it helps the team to trade his ending contract, that's what they will and should do, period. I'm sure Vlade would be professional enough to understand. It doesn't mean he has to suit up for another team or move. He can stay right here in LA and help the team that signed him for millions of dollars to play basketball, which he may not be able to do now. That would be loyalty.
 
VF21

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#47
#47
KA_2 said:
Not really. Vlade signed on to play. He hasn't, and it's solely his own fault. He hasn't done his job, the least he can do is help the Lakers acquire a player (any player) to get out from under his contract.
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What?!?!?!?!? SOLELY his own fault? Interesting take.

He was injured while performing duties related to his contract with the Lakers. It's not like he went out riding a motorcycle and broke his hand or something...

Why should he go out of his way to "help the Lakers"? They certainly aren't going out of their way to show him any respect. It's a two-way street, IMHO.
 
J

JP_Lakerfan

Prospect
#54
#54
VF21 said:
What?!?!?!?!? SOLELY his own fault? Interesting take.

He was injured while performing duties related to his contract with the Lakers. It's not like he went out riding a motorcycle and broke his hand or something...

Why should he go out of his way to "help the Lakers"? They certainly aren't going out of their way to show him any respect. It's a two-way street, IMHO.
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Of course it's not his fault he is injured, but IMO, going along with a trade which would help the team who is going to pay you at least 7 million on a contract would be showing loyalty to them. That might be his only value to the team now, outside of any lockerroom influence he might have that anyway. Rick Fox did so, and he contributed far more to the Lakers in recent championships than Vlade.
 
KA_2

KA_2

Bench
#55
#55
Kingsgurl said:
He stated after the signing that he wished to retire a Laker, return to the Franchise that gave him his beginning. Perhaps it is only fitting they trade him yet again. Apparently the loyatly runs only one direction;)
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That was months ago when Vlade wasn't injured. A lot has changed since then. As far as I can tell, all he wants to do is retire in LA because of the city itself and because his restaurant (and family?) are in LA. We'll see what happens soon enough.

VF21 said:
What?!?!?!?!? SOLELY his own fault? Interesting take.

He was injured while performing duties related to his contract with the Lakers. It's not like he went out riding a motorcycle and broke his hand or something...
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Smoking cigarettes and not working out in the offseason is solely Vlade's fault. SOLELY his fault. Getting injured was very predictable at his conditioning and age. I didn't expect him to be out the whole year, but that is what has happened.

Why should he go out of his way to "help the Lakers"? They certainly aren't going out of their way to show him any respect. It's a two-way street, IMHO.
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Uh, what? In what way are the Lakers not going out of their way to show him respect? Examples?

And it's really not complicated; all Jerry Buss has to do is let him know that they want to buy out his contract and trade him to a team for cap relief and a player. He'll retire after that and go on with his life and continue to have a good relationship with the Lakers organization like every other player. It happens with a lot of players and most recently it happened with Rick Fox.
 
VF21

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#56
#56
Have a good relationship with the Lakers organization like EVERY OTHER PLAYER?

Oh, that is so rich. Excuse me. I have a phone call to Miami to make.

...

BTW, Vlade and Ana own two restaurants in Sacramento - Tunel21 and L'Image. Just to set the record straight.
 
KA_2

KA_2

Bench
#57
#57
VF21 said:
Have a good relationship with the Lakers organization like EVERY OTHER PLAYER?

Oh, that is so rich. Excuse me. I have a phone call to Miami to make.
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That's about the whole list. It goes 1) Shaquille O'Neal, 2) Boston Celtics, 3) ?????

...

BTW, Vlade and Ana own two restaurants in Sacramento - Tunel21 and L'Image. Just to set the record straight.
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I hear that Tunel21 place is pretty nice. Gotta eat there soon. Maybe I'll see Vlade and let him know of my trade demands for his contract. ;)
 
Gargamel

Gargamel

Starter
#58
#58
VF21 said:
Have a good relationship with the Lakers organization like EVERY OTHER PLAYER?
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Would you consider Payton and Shaq victims of the Lakers org noting how poorly they engendered a good relationship from their side? Lesser players could've been rightfully canned for any number of things that the Lakers org let slide from Shaq and Gary.
 
albeitrue

albeitrue

Bench
#59
#59
The reality is Vlade should have remained a King. :)

Kings fans want to see Vlade treated with respect in La La Land, this is dilusional thinking, at best. This is a business, VLADE'S own words upon departure. Kings fans would love to have Vlade back. Lakers' fans want to see him dumped, it's all very sad...

I think Lakers took a chance signing Vlade, KNOWING FULL WELL that Vlade did not take care of his body, because there was no one else out there at the time, end of story. They did not "bring him home", they made a business decision. Had they made the trade that brought Mihm sooner, there may not even be a discussion about Vlade being on Lakers.

Now Vlade is injured trade bait and King's fans are fighting with Lakers fans about how to treat this all-of-a-sudden delicate situation. To Lakers, there is no situation -- only remedies. It would be the same if King's were in this situation (player with a one year contract who likely won't be playing AT ALL anymore).
 
Gargamel

Gargamel

Starter
#60
#60
albeitrue said:
Now Vlade is injured trade bait and King's fans are fighting with Lakers fans about how to treat this all-of-a-sudden delicate situation. To Lakers, there is no situation -- only remedies. It would be the same if King's were in this situation (player with a one year contract who likely won't be playing AT ALL anymore).
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Thumbs up. It's unfortunate that Vlade's career was finished by an injury, but (more unfortunately) he's now a player who suddenly has trade value. Not parlaying Vlade into something positive is a mistake on Kupchak's part. Mitch has few enough commodities as it is to let an expiring K go to waste.
 
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