Vlade retires...or maybe not

VF21 said:
Poof dust at a distance becomes unstable. I might accidentally poof all of Arco, and that probably wouldn't be good...

;)
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Then they would HAVE to build a new arena....
 
VF21 said:
I wish Vlade well in whatever he chooses to do. I hope he'll maintain some kind of contact with Sacramento and all the people who have come to love him over the years.

For some reason, actually seeing this in print really puts the nail in the coffin - at least for me - for the end of the era that brought us so much excitement and happiness.

Thanks, Vlade!
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I agree entirely, VF.

I first heard of Vlade's retirement from a small snippet at the bottom of ESPN.com's front page. I suppose that in the grande scheme of things, this isn't really big news - everyone knew Vlade was more or less finished, his best days over, and his retirement was only a matter of when.

But you hit the nail on the head. Reading this article had an effect on me - the effect of a door slamming shut signifying the end of a splended era of my life as a Kings fan. This doesn't mean I will no longer be a fan, or even that I will be any less of a fan post-Vlade. It just means that I will be a different fan, perhaps at times a slightly more melancholy fan. Vlade represented a lot to me. For one, he represented the Kings utterly unexpected resurgence out of the doldrums into the national spotlight and with it, the blossoming of my pride as a Kings fan. Because lets face it, before Vlade, there really wasn't much pride to be taken in the Kings. Sure we loved them - they were our home team - but only AFTER Vlade's arrival could we truly begin a game knowing that win or lose, the Kings were going to be worth watching.

The beginning of the end of this era came with Vlade's departure from the Kings to the Lakers, but somehow, as long as he was still in the league, it was as though his spirit was still with us. It's silly, I know, but this feeling simply didn't hit me until today, upon his retirement. My sentiments right now faintly resemble those I might have in the wake of a death and in a way I know that's silly, but in another way I feel justified. The 1999-2004 Kings have died and I will miss them. I can only hope that their sucessor brings me as much pride and joy in years to come!

Good luck Vlade, and may you continue to be a role model and an inspiration even in retirement!

QF
 
QueensFan said:
I agree entirely, VF.

I first heard of Vlade's retirement from a small snippet at the bottom of ESPN.com's front page. I suppose that in the grande scheme of things, this isn't really big news - everyone knew Vlade was more or less finished, his best days over, and his retirement was only a matter of when.

But you hit the nail on the head. Reading this article had an effect on me - the effect of a door slamming shut signifying the end of a splended era of my life as a Kings fan. This doesn't mean I will no longer be a fan, or even that I will be any less of a fan post-Vlade. It just means that I will be a different fan, perhaps at times a slightly more melancholy fan. Vlade represented a lot to me. For one, he represented the Kings utterly unexpected resurgence out of the doldrums into the national spotlight and with it, the blossoming of my pride as a Kings fan. Because lets face it, before Vlade, there really wasn't much pride to be taken in the Kings. Sure we loved them - they were our home team - but only AFTER Vlade's arrival could we truly begin a game knowing that win or lose, the Kings were going to be worth watching.

The beginning of the end of this era came with Vlade's departure from the Kings to the Lakers, but somehow, as long as he was still in the league, it was as though his spirit was still with us. It's silly, I know, but this feeling simply didn't hit me until today, upon his retirement. My sentiments right now faintly resemble those I might have in the wake of a death and in a way I know that's silly, but in another way I feel justified. The 1999-2004 Kings have died and I will miss them. I can only hope that their sucessor brings me as much pride and joy in years to come!

Good luck Vlade, and may you continue to be a role model and an inspiration even in retirement!

QF
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Very well stated, QF. (Nice to see you post, BTW...)

143.gif
 
Vlade: smart player, fabulous passer, wonderful teammate and a great human being. And there at the beginning of the best years (so far) in the history of the Sacramento Kings. Thank you for wanting to come to the Kings. What exhilaration we shared with you. A time to cherish.

Thank you Vlade for everything you did for the Kings, for the fans, for the Sacramento community. Please know that you have a forever home in the hearts of Kings fans. Enjoy your retirement, enjoy your family and friends and enjoy the love and respect of too many people to count. You've earned it many times over.
 
I will miss you Vlade. He had a great career as a player, mentor, friend and father to all players on the Kings team. I hope you have a great life after basketball.


Here VF21 just for you :)

320522_52a.jpg
 
Vlade represented what was good about the Kings. He will be missed by many. I hate to admit it, but I actually watched a few Laker games just in case Vlade played. I am not a sappy crier by nature, but Vlade has elicted that desire from me on at least 2 occasiona. One was when he left the Kings, the other was today. He was not only a great player, but a good man. I enjoyed watching him on the court but admired him for his work off the court. Thanks for the memories Vlade and good luck!
 
ill miss him a lot...
he sort of reminded me of the nice giant in Roald Dahl's The BFG whenever i saw him on tv...
i don't know why though...
 
look at that muscle definition...

the Kings should be petitioned to retire #21, and when Webb retires, #4 right next to it.
 
Good luck Vlade with everything that lies ahead of you. Thank you for all the wonderful memories you left us with. The best big man passer in NBA history. I will truly miss you! King for life! #21
 
i think last year was his last favor to the kings, he messed up the lakers plans by sitting out all season and averaging more or less one point per game. But thats the way i take it. Vlade was the man and everybody in the arena or even in sacramento can say that there was just something about vlade, when he made a play, there was just something that made you cheer moreso than for other players. I think was the fact that a man his age could do those moves and still dunk. WE WILL ALL MISS THE VLADISIAC, but i know for sure that he will still stay involved with sacramento because he considers this his home. So yeah, thanks for all the fun vlade.
 
Apparently, Vlade may not be retiring. The article that initially claimed he was retiring was said to be "incorrect".

"* The Lakers said a report out of Serbia that center Vlade Divac was retiring is incorrect. Although he is battling back problems, Divac has made no final decision about his future and would be walking away from millions of dollars if he retired now.

Divac is due $2 million if the Lakers choose to buy out the final year of his contract, which they have until Sept. 30 to do. Divac could be brought back for another season at $5.4 million or he could be bought out and then re-signed to the veteran's minimum."

I only posted a portion of the article...the rest was about the Lakers summer league team.
 
What? A Serbian report turns out to be premature, and possibly incorrect?

Hmmmmm...

How strange.

;)

I should have caught that. I guess because it was about Vlade, I didn't pay as much attention.

Vlade Divac is a class act. If he was going to announce his retirement, he'd do it in the LA press first.

Well, whatever Vlade decides to do, I wish him nothing but the best and I'm still hoping to see his number hanging in the rafters at Arco once he has officially retired.
 
"What? A Serbian report turns out to be premature, and possibly incorrect?"

I think they took his not playing for them in the future as retiring from the NBA too. At least that's how it seemed to me.
 
Vlade pass on $2mm guaranteed? Retiring now would be flushing that money down the toilet. And those kind of Laker dollars could buy him at least 15 million smokes.
 
That kind of upsets me that he didn't want to retire in Sacramento.

Look what the LA LAKER fans were saying about him when he was in Sac! And even though he plays for LA now (being a hated team) we still show the guy love here in Sacramento.
 
It can't be easy for Vlade...

After all, it was the Lakers organization that brought him toi the NBA in the first place. He has a deep friendship with Magic, so he (Vlade) is in a difficult spot. He went back to the team where it all started - I can understand that.

He has said repeatedly that he will always remember Sacramento as the place that loved him, where he played the best ball of his career, etc. That's enough for me.

Yes, I would have loved to see him retire as a King, but it won't affect my memories of all the good times either way. And I'll still campaign for his number to be retired once he's actually quit playing.
 
I found this article (eerily similar to the previous one posted) on AOL sports news, who I do trust when getting sports news. Either way I say, GOOD LUCK to dear Vlade and, for me at least, he will always be a King and will be remembered with very fond memories. :)

Divac Announces Retirement After 16-Year NBA Career
Veteran Center Cites Nagging Back Problems as Primary Reason for Leaving Game



BELGRADE (July 14) - One of the most versatile centers in the NBA, Vlade Divac announced his retirement Thursday.

Divac, who averaged 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists during an NBA career that spanned 16 years, had been expected to delay his decision until Sept. 30 but hasn't been able to shake a back injury.

One of most popular Serbo-Montenegro basketball players of all time, the 7-footer planned to finish his career back in his homeland with Partizan Belgrade, the club he left to join the Lakers in 1989. But any hopes of an emotional return now appear to be dashed.

The 37-year-old, who signed a extended contract with the Lakers last summer, underwent back surgery six months ago and played only 15 games last season, averaging just 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds.

"My back is causing me a lot of problems," Divac said. "At the moment I don't feel pain, but after four or five days of playing I feel it a lot. There is just a 50-50 chance for me to be fully recovered for the new season. As I don't want to become a disabled player, I think this is a right time for me to stop playing basketball."

Divac made his debut for the Yugoslavia national team in 1986 and won two gold medals at the World Championships in 1990 and 2002.



07-15-05 00:17 ET

Copyright 2005 SportsTicker. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20050715001809990024
 
Em - The problem is that article is saying Vlade announced his retirement Thursday. On Friday, he stated it was not true...

Although you found the article on AOL, it appears to be the same one that originally surfaced on fibaeurope and other spots.
 
It really sucks to see his career end. But, it's been a great one. I think my favourite memory of his as a King is when he made that three-point shot in the 2003-2004 season. Peja just jumped on him. :)
 
Okay, here's the deal. The report was NOT correct. Here's a later article:

"Lakers center Vlade Divac said late Thursday night that an Internet report about his imminent retirement was inaccurate. Divac, speaking by phone, said he will wait to hear from Lakers management about what the team plans to do with him for next season before he makes a decision to return for a 17th season. He said his health would also play a role in his decision." Press-Enterprise

"First, I have to wait to see if the Lakers want me," Divac said. "If they don't want me back, then I have to think about my future, about retiring. But I make no decision right now. I have been working out and my back is OK sometimes. My back has to be healthy. There is no rush. We'll see. But I would love to play again and play for (Lakers coach) Phil Jackson if all things can be worked out."
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If that was an incorrect report still amazes me just how far it went. NBA.com, Aol -- pretty much just generally accepted. I wonder if he said he would, then saw/heard it reported and suddenly couldn't bring himself to go through it?
 
It makes no sense for him to retire... you don't get your bucks if you retire, do you?

The thing is ALL those other sites based their reports on the fibaeurope article. My suspicion is that Vlade may have hinted at something, and - as usual - whomever he was talking to let the cat out of the bag way too early. But I still have to wonder why he would walk away from all that $$$$.
 
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