Vlade Divac is 38 years old, limps around with an aching back and looks like a guy who just stumbled out of bed.
But he just may be the most important figure in the Pacific Division, both for his presence in Los Angeles and his absence from Sacramento.
While the Los Angeles Lakers are much less formidable now that Shaquille O'Neal is playing in Miami, they will replace the big fella with not only the best passing center in the league, but one of the NBA's best locker-room influences.
Divac has long been a favorite of teammates for his unselfish play and friendly, good-humored nature, and both will be much needed on a Lakers team that will be searching for an identity with the departures of its superstar center and coach.
Rudy Tomjanovich is installing a new offense in L.A. that will start and end with Kobe Bryant. But Bryant's hunger for shots and points wore thin with his recent teammates, and without Shaq, this team runs the risk of turning into the pre-championship Bulls (Kobe and the Bryantaires).
Enter Vlade. His passing skills figure to keep other players involved and happy, and his sense of humor will undoubtedly loosen up an environment that has been contentious for years because of the strained Kobe/Shaq relationship. If Divac can stay healthy, he might keep the Lakers happy enough to win the division.
Meanwhile in California's capital, the spotlight has been on the apparent disharmony of a Sacramento Kings squad whose window of opportunity to win a title may have closed.
After the Kings were eliminated from the playoffs last season, Chris Webber made some less than flattering comments about the performance of Peja Stojakovic. Understandably, Stojakovic is still upset.
The Kings are a team that has thrived on sharing the ball and playing as a team, but with their two top players fighting and their unselfish former leader playing center for the Lakers, the Kings could be in some trouble. There's still plenty of talent in Sacramento, but without Divac, it might not fit together anymore.
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But he just may be the most important figure in the Pacific Division, both for his presence in Los Angeles and his absence from Sacramento.
While the Los Angeles Lakers are much less formidable now that Shaquille O'Neal is playing in Miami, they will replace the big fella with not only the best passing center in the league, but one of the NBA's best locker-room influences.
Divac has long been a favorite of teammates for his unselfish play and friendly, good-humored nature, and both will be much needed on a Lakers team that will be searching for an identity with the departures of its superstar center and coach.
Rudy Tomjanovich is installing a new offense in L.A. that will start and end with Kobe Bryant. But Bryant's hunger for shots and points wore thin with his recent teammates, and without Shaq, this team runs the risk of turning into the pre-championship Bulls (Kobe and the Bryantaires).
Enter Vlade. His passing skills figure to keep other players involved and happy, and his sense of humor will undoubtedly loosen up an environment that has been contentious for years because of the strained Kobe/Shaq relationship. If Divac can stay healthy, he might keep the Lakers happy enough to win the division.
Meanwhile in California's capital, the spotlight has been on the apparent disharmony of a Sacramento Kings squad whose window of opportunity to win a title may have closed.
After the Kings were eliminated from the playoffs last season, Chris Webber made some less than flattering comments about the performance of Peja Stojakovic. Understandably, Stojakovic is still upset.
The Kings are a team that has thrived on sharing the ball and playing as a team, but with their two top players fighting and their unselfish former leader playing center for the Lakers, the Kings could be in some trouble. There's still plenty of talent in Sacramento, but without Divac, it might not fit together anymore.
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