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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/11571510p-12469506c.html
Now Adelman says Divac's tactics are illegal
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, November 26, 2004
On second thought, Kings coach Rick Adelman agrees with Shaquille O'Neal's assessment of Vlade Divac's tactics.
"He definitely flops," Adelman said of Divac, whom the Kings will see as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Staples Center. "He moves on picks. He does a lot of stuff that's illegal."
That "stuff" is perceived differently when you're playing against Divac instead of with him, as many of the Kings did for the past six seasons. They haven't seen each other in awhile, since Divac didn't make the trip when the teams met in Fresno during the preseason.
Although the Kings are expecting a few pranks and probes from Divac, who just played his first game of the season Tuesday night after recovering from a herniated disc in his back, they aren't overlooking the game's importance.
Sacramento (7-4) has won six straight games, including the last five at home.
With three of the next four on the road - the Kings host Minnesota on Sunday night - continued success would help the team re-establish its status as one of the league's finest.
"This is a big game for us before we go on the road,' Adelman said, anticipating next week's back-to-back set in Memphis and New Orleans.
Small forward Peja Stojakovic was linked to Divac at the hip during their six seasons with the Kings and didn't want to see the 7-foot-1 center return to the Lakers, who drafted him in 1989. Stojakovic said he wasn't contemplating the matchup against his mentor.
"I think I thought about it so much during the summer," Stojakovic said. "We've gotten so close to the game now. It's kind of weird. I'm just glad he's feeling much better. But everything is kind of mixed up. Vlade is down there. They've got a whole lot of new guys and a new coaching staff. It's like another Lakers team.
"I think they are running a couple of our plays with Vlade up at the elbow, where they use him as a passer. Of course, Vlade is going to help them with our scouting report. And he is in the right place for the flopping. All the drama and stuff that goes on in L.A.?"
Drama? Did someone mention drama? Did someone say Kobe Bryant?
O'Neal is gone to Miami, with Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and the injured Brian Grant in his former town. Former coach Phil Jackson is building a home in Montana, selling his book and presumably choosing his next cushy coaching spot. Bryant is averaging a team-leading 28.1 points and 42.4 minutes per game and sending disclaimers regarding any part he might have played in the aforementioned departures.
Bryant is shooting 40 percent, leading the NBA in free throws and the team in assists (5.8). The ball is in hands often, and he warrants enough attention to help Butler (48.6 percent), Odom (49.6) and center Chris Mihm (56) get easier shots.
So keeping Bryant under control will be a major Kings goal. But ignoring Divac's ways will also be paramount to a victory.
"I think the pregame is going to be something because Vlade is a silly guy," Kings guard Bobby Jackson said. "But I think he's still going to be silly during the game, and you just can't let him get to you. I think him playing against us means he's going to be trying to get us to laugh. But really he wants to win, and we can't caught up in that friendship-type stuff. During the game, we've got to go hard. After the game, we're all friends."
Said Kings forward Chris Webber: "It's going to be a battle not to laugh and joke because all the stuff he does, he did for us. So he knows us, and we know him."
Now Adelman says Divac's tactics are illegal
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, November 26, 2004
On second thought, Kings coach Rick Adelman agrees with Shaquille O'Neal's assessment of Vlade Divac's tactics.
"He definitely flops," Adelman said of Divac, whom the Kings will see as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Staples Center. "He moves on picks. He does a lot of stuff that's illegal."
That "stuff" is perceived differently when you're playing against Divac instead of with him, as many of the Kings did for the past six seasons. They haven't seen each other in awhile, since Divac didn't make the trip when the teams met in Fresno during the preseason.
Although the Kings are expecting a few pranks and probes from Divac, who just played his first game of the season Tuesday night after recovering from a herniated disc in his back, they aren't overlooking the game's importance.
Sacramento (7-4) has won six straight games, including the last five at home.
With three of the next four on the road - the Kings host Minnesota on Sunday night - continued success would help the team re-establish its status as one of the league's finest.
"This is a big game for us before we go on the road,' Adelman said, anticipating next week's back-to-back set in Memphis and New Orleans.
Small forward Peja Stojakovic was linked to Divac at the hip during their six seasons with the Kings and didn't want to see the 7-foot-1 center return to the Lakers, who drafted him in 1989. Stojakovic said he wasn't contemplating the matchup against his mentor.
"I think I thought about it so much during the summer," Stojakovic said. "We've gotten so close to the game now. It's kind of weird. I'm just glad he's feeling much better. But everything is kind of mixed up. Vlade is down there. They've got a whole lot of new guys and a new coaching staff. It's like another Lakers team.
"I think they are running a couple of our plays with Vlade up at the elbow, where they use him as a passer. Of course, Vlade is going to help them with our scouting report. And he is in the right place for the flopping. All the drama and stuff that goes on in L.A.?"
Drama? Did someone mention drama? Did someone say Kobe Bryant?
O'Neal is gone to Miami, with Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and the injured Brian Grant in his former town. Former coach Phil Jackson is building a home in Montana, selling his book and presumably choosing his next cushy coaching spot. Bryant is averaging a team-leading 28.1 points and 42.4 minutes per game and sending disclaimers regarding any part he might have played in the aforementioned departures.
Bryant is shooting 40 percent, leading the NBA in free throws and the team in assists (5.8). The ball is in hands often, and he warrants enough attention to help Butler (48.6 percent), Odom (49.6) and center Chris Mihm (56) get easier shots.
So keeping Bryant under control will be a major Kings goal. But ignoring Divac's ways will also be paramount to a victory.
"I think the pregame is going to be something because Vlade is a silly guy," Kings guard Bobby Jackson said. "But I think he's still going to be silly during the game, and you just can't let him get to you. I think him playing against us means he's going to be trying to get us to laugh. But really he wants to win, and we can't caught up in that friendship-type stuff. During the game, we've got to go hard. After the game, we're all friends."
Said Kings forward Chris Webber: "It's going to be a battle not to laugh and joke because all the stuff he does, he did for us. So he knows us, and we know him."
