AP [imgl]http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20051018/thumb.ksd10210182048.divac_retires_ksd102.jpg[/imgl] EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Vlade Divac ended his 16-year NBA playing career Tuesday, easing into a new job with the Los Angeles Lakers as a liaison and scout in Europe. The Lakers bought out Divac's contract for $2 million. The 37-year-old center had back surgery in January, and played in 15 games last season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds. ``I didn't have fun anymore with the injury I had,'' he said. ``If I didn't have fun, I wouldn't play my best.'' The Lakers could have picked up a one-year, $5.4 million option on the 7-foot-1, 260-pounder or put him on waivers. Divac said he had seriously considered playing this season, ``but I couldn't find the ride that would take me there.'' He had career averages of 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15 previous seasons -- seven with the Lakers, two with Charlotte and six with Sacramento. ``I'm happy today,'' said Divac, who sat next to his wife, Ana. ``When I look back, it was a wonderful career. It was a great ride for me.'' Source
This season, everyone is chipping in by helping the Lakers. It's like a reunion now. It's really good to see past greats still contributing and trying to make our team a sucess.
