Lakers #12. Before Dwight, there was Vlade.

From the @Lakers Instagram

DH12 will remain DH12 because the Lakers never bothered to retire the jersey of Vlade Divac.

Vlade was the precursor of all things hip now. The Beard. The Euro Style. The Euro Step. The Euro Flop. On some nights, Vlade even played like he was the result of some sinister experiment combining the DNA of Magic and Kareem:

The commentary on this one is incredible...

Divac blocks Dominique Wilkins. Wait for it...



Hollywood welcomes Vlade...



To know more about Vlade Divac, watch the epic and controversial Lakers-Kings series from 2002 (by this time, Vlade was already playing for the Kings) and the superb ESPN 30 for 30 film "Once Brothers."


Vlade was always fun to watch. He always played with a certain joy. Yet he'll be best remembered for the trade that brought in Kobe. In 1996, Vlade was traded to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to 17-year old rookie Kobe Bryant. The bottom line, in the context of Lakers history: no Vlade, no Kobe. MH