ducks
10-15-2004, 01:55 PM
Camp Stories: Pacific
by Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
October 12, 2004
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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).
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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.
KERR'S THREE POINTS
1. Mike Montgomery left the comforts of the Stanford campus and moved across the bay to Oakland, where he'll try to resurrect the Golden State Warriors.
Normally, the NBA is a league that follows trends, but the recent lack of success for college coaches joining the pro ranks didn't deter new general manager Chris Mullin from hiring Montgomery.
He worked wonders at Stanford, turning the Cardinal into a perennial top-10 team. But he might have an even more difficult job with the Warriors, who haven't made the playoffs since 1994. Adonal Foyle and Dale Davis will both replace Erick Dampier in the middle, and they'll anchor what Montgomery hopes will be a better defense. Still, there doesn't appear to be enough talent on this squad to make a real playoff run.
2. Shaun Livingston is the rookie to watch in the Pacific. It's tough enough going from high school straight to the NBA, and tougher still to do so at point guard. But to do both and play for the Los Angeles Clippers?
As Sharon Stone once said about dating Dwight Yoakam, "I'd rather eat a dirt sandwich." This young kid needs plenty of time to learn about the league and develop as a player, so he'd better hope Donald Sterling keeps Mike Dunleavy around to help him make the adjustment.
3. Amare Stoudemire will be a key in the Phoenix Suns' rebuilding attempts. The Suns signed Steve Nash to provide leadership and play point guard, and he'll have plenty of talent around him. But for this team to surprise people and capture a winnable division, Stoudemire has to continue to develop his game. His athleticism is freakish and awe-inspiring, but now he's in his third year in the league and must begin to defend and round out his game.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.
by Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports
October 12, 2004
Headshot
Logo
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).
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
KERR'S THREE POINTS
1. Mike Montgomery left the comforts of the Stanford campus and moved across the bay to Oakland, where he'll try to resurrect the Golden State Warriors.
Normally, the NBA is a league that follows trends, but the recent lack of success for college coaches joining the pro ranks didn't deter new general manager Chris Mullin from hiring Montgomery.
He worked wonders at Stanford, turning the Cardinal into a perennial top-10 team. But he might have an even more difficult job with the Warriors, who haven't made the playoffs since 1994. Adonal Foyle and Dale Davis will both replace Erick Dampier in the middle, and they'll anchor what Montgomery hopes will be a better defense. Still, there doesn't appear to be enough talent on this squad to make a real playoff run.
2. Shaun Livingston is the rookie to watch in the Pacific. It's tough enough going from high school straight to the NBA, and tougher still to do so at point guard. But to do both and play for the Los Angeles Clippers?
As Sharon Stone once said about dating Dwight Yoakam, "I'd rather eat a dirt sandwich." This young kid needs plenty of time to learn about the league and develop as a player, so he'd better hope Donald Sterling keeps Mike Dunleavy around to help him make the adjustment.
3. Amare Stoudemire will be a key in the Phoenix Suns' rebuilding attempts. The Suns signed Steve Nash to provide leadership and play point guard, and he'll have plenty of talent around him. But for this team to surprise people and capture a winnable division, Stoudemire has to continue to develop his game. His athleticism is freakish and awe-inspiring, but now he's in his third year in the league and must begin to defend and round out his game.
Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send him a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.