Vlade’s Time to Shine

I wasn’t here during the ‘Golden Years’ of the Sacramento Kings. I didn’t witness the infamous Kings vs. Lakers series but the legend has endured. On March 31, yet another chapter was written when Vlade Divac’s #21 jersey was raised to the ARCO Arena rafters.

There is no debate — Vlade was a special basketball player. A center with unreal passing skill and court awareness, a more than efficient ability to score and mastery of the flop. But above those talents, Vlade will always be remembered as the ultimate teammate. Read more

In a Legend’s Footsteps

We came into ARCO Arena against the Suns on Sunday against my Twitter competitor @THE_REAL_SHAQ. I think NBA.com mentioned it was a Twitter competition between @jtthekid and @THE_REAL_SHAQ. I don’t have as many tweeps as him because I’m not a legend like he is but hopefully I can come in second in tweeps in the NBA or lead all rookies. That’d be a good accomplishment.

Read more

Vlade Divac Jersey Retirement Quotes

Former Sacramento Kings Center Vlade Divac

“First of all, this is all for you guys. I am so excited to be here today. Thank you to the Maloof family and the Kings organization. Maybe you have heard a lot of times and I will repeat myself again, this is my best six years I spent in Sacramento. It is the best of my career. It is a big honor to have my name and number up in the rafters with all those legends, including Chris Webber, a good friend of mine and teammate for those six years. I am so happy to be here and I will take the time at half-time to thank our fans and everyone who supported us. We had a lot of fun and a lot of good memories.”

Are you emotionally ready for tonight:
“I hope so. It’s starting to hit me. I was so busy the last couple of days and didn’t really have time to think what this means for me, my teammates, all the coaches we had here and my family is happy to be here with you guys.”

The experience as a whole:
“It is interesting going around the city and to hear people still talk about our group of guys and had a lot of fun. It is wonderful. You love something you left behind you that people still remember. I had the opportunity to go to the Kings practice facility and I saw a couple young guys that are going in a good direction. They need support and a little time and I am sure the Kings will be back again with the success they had here in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.”

On any disappointments:
“I played only six years here. It would be nice if I played more here. Everyone talked about how good a team we had and did not win the championship. Chris (Webber) and I were talking during his ceremony, and we all feel the same. We played as champions and I have no disappointments at all. We just had fun playing the game we loved.”

On how he found out his jersey was going to be retired:
“Geoff Petrie called me. Back then it was emotional and I was excited. It is something that shows the positive and will look even better when I look back on my career. I never dreamed, even as a kid, that my jersey was going to be up there.”

On what they do for retiring players in Serbia:
“No, they do other stuff. Well, we usually we play a farewell game. I did something different. I brought all my friends around Europe and the United States. We had a concert, we had dinner and had a wonderful ride through my hometown and I actually donated all my gear, medals and everything I won throughout my career to the museum of my hometown. Try to show kids from a small town that it really does not matter where you are born. Even if you are from a small city, you can achieve what I achieved.”
If he saw Alonzo Morning’s retirement ceremony last night:
“No, I was so busy. But people told me it was very emotional. Hopefully I can be stronger and hold up. But I cannot promise you.”

On his favorite moment:
“It would be, surprisingly, where we lost game 4. That moment in the locker room, I would relive again. We showed so much belief in each other. Everyone did not believe we could come back and win. And we came back and won game 5. It shows we were so close and a championship team.”

On being recognized and having his jersey retired:
“It is an honor for all my teammates and all my coaches. It shows that we did a great job of playing basketball and had commitment to the Kings organization and the city of Sacramento. I travel around the world a lot. People still talk about our team and the way we played. And it wasn’t just Sacramento; we were an international team which is even better.”

On being recognized for something more than just basketball:
“Well, people recognize something you try to do and, even more, send a message to other athletes and to kids that we are blessed to have a job that we love and enjoy. Playing sports. At the same time we have to give back to our communities and be role models.”

What’s next for Vlade:
“Oh, well, John Wetzel has a great life. I should just go follow him.”

On hearing people talk about him around the city:
“When people talk about me and Sacramento, it’s not all about me. It’s all about my teammates and my coaches, people that were around me. We were so close and that is why we had so much success and people recognize that.”

Bowling with Vlade

The night before he is recognized by the Kings for his contribution to the franchise and the city at his jersey retirement ceremony at ARCO Arena, former Kings center Vlade Divac was amongst former teammates, friends and Kings fans at Strikes Family Entertainment Center in Rocklin for Charitabowl, which benefitted Humanitarian Organization Divac.

Watch — Vlade Divac’s Charitabowl – featuring interviews with Kings guards Kevin Martin and Bobby Jackson and former Kings players Scot Pollard, Peja Stojakovic and the last player to ever don #21 for the Kings, Vlade Divac.

Coachie Remembers Vlade

After the team wrapped up practice on Monday, Kings Development Coach Pete Carril reflected on the impact Vlade Divac had on the Kings and the NBA. He also discussed how Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson can learn from Divac and Chris Webber and how the young duo compares to the former formidable Kings front line.

Watch — Coachie Remembers Vlade.

One More 4 C-Webb

Kings.com caught up with some of Chris Webber’s most loyal supporters and best friends as the Sacramento Kings retired his #4 jersey at ARCO Arena on Friday. Read more

Kayte’s Caption, January 13, 2009

Congratulations to Herman in Fair Oaks! Today’s winning caption is:
“Is it frosted hedo… Or feathered?”

Here’s how to submit your caption suggestions:

1. Leave a comment.

2. Text ‘Kayte’ to 69866

Share Your Memories of #4 and #21

The Sacramento Kings announced the team will be retiring Chris Webber (#4) and Vlade Divac’s (#21) jersey numbers on February 6 and March 31, 2009, respectively. Now it’s time for Kings fans to share their fondest memories of two of Sacramento’s finest players.

This is your opportunity to pay tribute to two players who helped make Kings basketball popular worldwide, boost ARCO Arena into the conversation of greatest home court advantages in the nation and made Sacramento a mainstay in the NBA Playoffs.

All you have to do is submit your memory in the comments section below!

Chris Webber and Vlade Divac Forever Kings Ticket Package
Webber and Divac Press Release