http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/11985179p-12859834c.html
Joe D's Countdown
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 9, 2005
Catching up with some old Kings from last season, for old time's sake, with mixed results.
1. Vlade Divac. His former teammates would crack that there were periodic signs of Divac activity in the weight room during his six seasons in Sacramento - say, to push aside a barbell on his way through the place. But Divac was durable, missing just six games in his final five seasons with the Kings. Now, he aches all the time. Divac, back with the Lakers, managed to get into just eight games this season before a disc problem led him to surgery last week. He could return in time for the playoffs or be done completely. "More than anything, you just hope Vlade will be OK years from now, that he can walk and play with his kids," Kings forward Peja Stojakovic said.
2. Gerald Wallace. He tantalized with his ability and his dunks and infuriated with his turnovers and forced shots during his three Kings seasons. With expansion Charlotte, Wallace has found a home, even if he's still saddled by some old bad habits. Yes, he had 21 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in a rout of Minnesota last week. But he turns the ball over on nearly 19 percent of the possessions in which he handles the ball, the most of any double-figure scorer in the league and the most for any perimeter player.
3. Rodney Buford and Jabari Smith. Reunited in New Jersey, they have reached career highs in scoring for the Nets. Buford, who has had six starts this season, scored 22 points against Cleveland in December. Smith, who has played in just 10 games, had 19 against Milwaukee last week. They're still good enough to make teams, but not necessarily good enough to stick for long.
Joe D's Countdown
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, January 9, 2005
Catching up with some old Kings from last season, for old time's sake, with mixed results.
1. Vlade Divac. His former teammates would crack that there were periodic signs of Divac activity in the weight room during his six seasons in Sacramento - say, to push aside a barbell on his way through the place. But Divac was durable, missing just six games in his final five seasons with the Kings. Now, he aches all the time. Divac, back with the Lakers, managed to get into just eight games this season before a disc problem led him to surgery last week. He could return in time for the playoffs or be done completely. "More than anything, you just hope Vlade will be OK years from now, that he can walk and play with his kids," Kings forward Peja Stojakovic said.
2. Gerald Wallace. He tantalized with his ability and his dunks and infuriated with his turnovers and forced shots during his three Kings seasons. With expansion Charlotte, Wallace has found a home, even if he's still saddled by some old bad habits. Yes, he had 21 points, 12 rebounds and five steals in a rout of Minnesota last week. But he turns the ball over on nearly 19 percent of the possessions in which he handles the ball, the most of any double-figure scorer in the league and the most for any perimeter player.
3. Rodney Buford and Jabari Smith. Reunited in New Jersey, they have reached career highs in scoring for the Nets. Buford, who has had six starts this season, scored 22 points against Cleveland in December. Smith, who has played in just 10 games, had 19 against Milwaukee last week. They're still good enough to make teams, but not necessarily good enough to stick for long.
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