"Luka is a big-city player... I told Dražen: Friend, I don't have part-time friends! That's where we parted ways"
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Back in 2018, when Vlade Divac held the general manager position for the Sacramento Kings, the franchise's fate was practically in his hands.
Having the second overall pick in the NBA Draft is a rare opportunity, one that can completely reshape a team's destiny, especially when a generational talent like Luka Dončić is available. Yet, to the surprise of many, Vlade opted for Marvin Bagley, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Eight years later, Divac has finally shed light on that pivotal decision.
Beyond the infamous draft pick, Divac also touched upon various other topics of public interest.
"I only found peace after speaking with Dražen's mother"
The former Lakers center also spoke about some of the most painful moments of his career, recalling his relationship with Dražen Petrović. The 1990s were a tumultuous period in the Balkans, and not everyone interpreted the events in the same way.
It was incredibly difficult for all of us who grew up in Yugoslavia. You grow up in one country, and then politicians make terrible decisions. Turmoil erupts, civil war, people start killing each other. And suddenly, everyone has to choose a side. I remember, we were playing in Portland, and I expected Dražen Petrović, as always, to pick me up for lunch. He didn't show. I waited for him at shooting practice; everyone was on the court except him. I went to the locker room and asked him, "Dražen, what's going on?" He told me, "You see the problems back home, let's wait and see what happens, and we'll talk when things calm down." I told him, "Friend, I don't have part-time friends." That's where we parted ways. Unfortunately, the tragedy happened a few years later, and we never spoke again. I only found peace when I later spoke with his mother and his brother, Aco. - Vlade Divac
"Today, I'd trade myself for Kobe again!"
During the conversation, Divac's famous trade for Kobe Bryant also came up. The NBA was buzzing about it, reactions were varied, and Vlade emphasizes that, with hindsight, he completely understands the Lakers' move, and also that he adored life in Los Angeles:
- When my agent told me I'd been traded, I felt like someone had hit me in the back of the head with a baseball bat. I couldn't move; I was devastated. I loved LA, I loved the Lakers; they were like family to me. But over time, you realize... Today, I'd trade myself for Kobe again. I'd trade the entire team for Kobe. He was incredible – as a player, as a character, and as a friend. What happened to him is awful.
He also spoke about his matchups against Shaquille O'Neal:
- Shaq was so dominant, both physically and skillfully. Against him, I always looked for ways to make his job harder because he could score whenever he wanted. I tried to tire him out by making him run, and then I 'invented' flopping. I picked that up from European footballers. He would drive at me, and I would fall. At first, the referees didn't call it, but then the crowd started putting pressure on them, and they began blowing the whistle. I told myself, "This is going to work!" I only did it against Shaq.
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