qwerty Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 BELGRADE (NBA) - Vlade Divac, one of most popular Serbo-Montenegrin basketball players of all time, has announced his retirement from the game. The LA Lakers centre had been expected to delay his decision until September 30 but has now admitted defeat in his quest to recover from a back injury. Divac had make public his intention 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 have been 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," he admitted. "At the moment I don't feel pain, but after four of 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. He added: "I had talks with the club management but the final decision was left to me. "I've had a wish for years to finish my career in Partizan, but my current health leaves almost no chance for me to play in Partizan or for the Lakers. http://web.fiba.com/pages/en/news/latest_n...&r_cat=8&page=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I'm gonna miss that flop. I tell ya, I used to dislike the guy but I grew to like him. Best of luck at what you do next Vlade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerhead johnson Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan1 Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Man, I have like 50 things signed by this guy. Such a great guy and a great Serbian. If you guys only knew half of what he does back home.... This is a great guy and he will be missed. It is very unfortunate that he ended his career in such an injury plagued note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I agree with the rest of you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I still remember him getting in Paxson's face in the 91 finals and you could read Pax's lips, calling him a "pussy". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 One of the all time best passing centers in the league. Good player and he'll be missed. Sucks his back his pretty much done. Of course I'm sure Charlotte wishes they never heard the name Vlade Divac (since they traded Kobe for him). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I still remember those old Jordan videos in 90-91, and when they showed the Lakers highlights they had Magic Johnson running down the lane and Vlade Divac doing his thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 Vlade and his pathetic flopping won't be missed by me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanOfCorn Posted July 15, 2005 Share Posted July 15, 2005 I hope he and Toni Kukoc can mend their broken fences now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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