Originally published by LakersNation.com
It is well known that the Los Angeles Lakers traded center Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. But what is forgotten by most is that Divac would return to the Lakers for the final season of his career and thus, also had the chance to team with Bryant. And Divac had nothing but the highest praise for the Lakers legend.
“Greatness,” Divac responded when asked to describe Bryant in one word during his appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break. “What he did with his work ethic, with his talent, with his passion. Ready to sacrifice for the goal that he set for his life, it was amazing. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to play at least one year, my last year. And I’m glad that Jerry [West] traded me for him.”
Divac has played with some of the greatest and most talented players in NBA history, so to see what Bryant was able to do, and that famed work ethic up close and personal, was a blessing. And that also is why Divac was legitimately surprised to hear that many people online now are seemingly trying to diminish what he accomplished in his legendary career.
“I’m not in the social media that much so I didn’t see that,” Divac said. “I’m shocked that somebody would do that. Why? I have no idea. Usually what you cannot reach, you trash.”
That last line by Divac is one that should be remembered by everyone, and not just in this situation. For Divac, it simply does not make sense that anyone would try to discredit Bryant in any way.
“It would anger me,” Divac continued. “I didn’t see that, that’s why I’m not [angry] but that’s ridiculous. If you see where he came from, what he achieved, what he went through. He’s my top-3 ever.”
Divac played with and against some of the greatest players ever including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon just to name a few, so he has seen basketball at the highest level. And he insists that what Bryant did was simply unbelievable.
“B. Scott, you coached him,” Divac noted. “I didn’t play with too many guys that, what you see in the game is what you see in practice. The same intensity, same level. The only thing that, I talked to him a few times about it, and that’s why Magic also, why he wasn’t a good coach.
“The knowledge, the everything, and same thing with Kobe. He was expecting from his teammates to be on the same level and he was going very hard on them. But what you see in the game is what Kobe did in practice. 99% of the players are opposite. You’re cruising, you’re doing stuff, but Kobe [shakes head] it was unbelievable.”
The ones who never question the greatness of Bryant tend to be those who really saw everything he did not just on the court, but behind the scenes as well. And Divac is like many others in not understanding those who try not to put Bryant amongst the greats of the greats.
Austin Reaves hopes to continue playing with LeBron James
The current Lakers have some major decisions to make regarding their roster this offseason with the futures of Austin Reaves and LeBron James unclear. But Reaves made it known that he hopes to continue playing with James, whom he has been teammates with for his entire career.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
It is well known that the Los Angeles Lakers traded center Vlade Divac to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. But what is forgotten by most is that Divac would return to the Lakers for the final season of his career and thus, also had the chance to team with Bryant. And Divac had nothing but the highest praise for the Lakers legend.
“Greatness,” Divac responded when asked to describe Bryant in one word during his appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break. “What he did with his work ethic, with his talent, with his passion. Ready to sacrifice for the goal that he set for his life, it was amazing. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to play at least one year, my last year. And I’m glad that Jerry [West] traded me for him.”
Divac has played with some of the greatest and most talented players in NBA history, so to see what Bryant was able to do, and that famed work ethic up close and personal, was a blessing. And that also is why Divac was legitimately surprised to hear that many people online now are seemingly trying to diminish what he accomplished in his legendary career.
“I’m not in the social media that much so I didn’t see that,” Divac said. “I’m shocked that somebody would do that. Why? I have no idea. Usually what you cannot reach, you trash.”
That last line by Divac is one that should be remembered by everyone, and not just in this situation. For Divac, it simply does not make sense that anyone would try to discredit Bryant in any way.
“It would anger me,” Divac continued. “I didn’t see that, that’s why I’m not [angry] but that’s ridiculous. If you see where he came from, what he achieved, what he went through. He’s my top-3 ever.”
Divac played with and against some of the greatest players ever including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan and Hakeem Olajuwon just to name a few, so he has seen basketball at the highest level. And he insists that what Bryant did was simply unbelievable.
“B. Scott, you coached him,” Divac noted. “I didn’t play with too many guys that, what you see in the game is what you see in practice. The same intensity, same level. The only thing that, I talked to him a few times about it, and that’s why Magic also, why he wasn’t a good coach.
“The knowledge, the everything, and same thing with Kobe. He was expecting from his teammates to be on the same level and he was going very hard on them. But what you see in the game is what Kobe did in practice. 99% of the players are opposite. You’re cruising, you’re doing stuff, but Kobe [shakes head] it was unbelievable.”
The ones who never question the greatness of Bryant tend to be those who really saw everything he did not just on the court, but behind the scenes as well. And Divac is like many others in not understanding those who try not to put Bryant amongst the greats of the greats.
Austin Reaves hopes to continue playing with LeBron James
The current Lakers have some major decisions to make regarding their roster this offseason with the futures of Austin Reaves and LeBron James unclear. But Reaves made it known that he hopes to continue playing with James, whom he has been teammates with for his entire career.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
