The Craziest Revenge in NBA History: Vlade Divac Pranks Teammate, Involves Famous Actress Lucy Liu, and Kobe Cries with Laughter!

Pulse Sports Team 09:53 - 02 June 2026

Vlade Divac was always known for fostering a great atmosphere in the locker room, but one former Los Angeles Lakers player had to learn the hard way not to mess with the Serbian center. If you don't respect hierarchy and club tradition early in your career, the veterans' brutal punishment arrives when you least expect it.

Appearing on his former teammate and coach Byron Scott's podcast, "Byron Scott’s Fast Break," the celebrated Serbian basketball legend meticulously recounted how he orchestrated one of the most ingenious and hilarious pranks in NBA history. The victim was then-rookie Tony Bobbitt, all because of a trivial act of defiance – his refusal to carry bags and assist the club staff.

Rookie Refuses to Comply, Faces Brutal Retribution

The story begins when the Lakers' legendary equipment manager, the famous Rudy, complained to Divac about two new recruits on the team – Sasha Vujacic and Bobbitt.

Rudy approached me and said, “Vlade, listen, you have to help me with these two; they’re not listening to anything.” Since I was the oldest, I spoke with them. Sasha started doing his part, but Tony didn't. I told him very clearly: “Tony, I’ve told you once, this is the second time. There won’t be a third. I’ll make sure you remember me for the rest of your life if you don’t do this.” He said he understood, but the next day, he still didn't do anything, Divac recalled.

Punishment was inevitable, and the perfect opportunity arose during a nationally televised game. Bobbitt, eager for his friends to see him in a close-up, asked older teammates if he could sit in the front row behind the bench. At that very moment, not far from them, was the famous Hollywood actress Lucy Liu. The young player immediately thought the celebrity actress was watching him, a detail Vlade noticed and used to devise a devilish plan.

How Divac "Became" Lucy Liu

He asked me to sit right in front because Lucy Liu was supposedly looking at him. I asked a girl who was near the bench to quickly write a message on a piece of paper: “Hi Tony, this is Lucy Liu, call me” and to leave a number. However, it was my phone number, and he, of course, didn't know that! He started leaving me voicemails, telling me romantic, love stories... Then he began bragging seriously to his teammates about being involved with Lucy Liu, the legendary center recounted with a smile.

As the deception escalated, other teammates were also in on the joke, barely suppressing their laughter for days in the locker room as they listened to Bobbitt's boasts about his imaginary Hollywood romance.

Lamar Odom approached me at one point and said: “Vlade, I can’t take it anymore, this is too funny, it’s gone too far.” Tony, convinced by his story, continued to say: “She kissed me right here!” We deliberately prolonged the agony for another week, Divac added.

Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom in Tears

Divac even enlisted club staff to create a fake "People" magazine cover with the headline "Romance in LA" featuring Tony and Lucy. The climax occurred when Divac, "impersonating" Lucy, sent Tony a message saying she was "back from filming" and sending a limousine for him.

The end of this hilarious comedy, of course, happened in the locker room. Bobbitt continued to brag in front of the entire team, and then Kobe Bryant "baited him" – challenging him to call her right there, in front of everyone. The naive rookie dialed the number, and the phone in Vlade Divac's pocket began to ring: “Tony, remember when I told you... will you remember me?”

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