Vlade Divac discusses and defends Kobe Bryant's legacy

[ASFN Admin]

In 1996, in order to clear salary cap space and nab Shaquille O'Neal in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers traded Vlade Divac, who was then their starting center, to the Charlotte Hornets for the draft rights to Kobe Bryant. Bryant had just been taken with the No. 13 pick in the draft out of Lower Merion High School in the Philadelphia area, and no one knew just how transcendent a player he would become.

Divac was initially reluctant to go to Charlotte, but he eventually relented. During an appearance on Byron Scott's "Fast Break" podcast, he briefly talked about Bryant's legacy and even said he's glad he was sent to Charlotte for the Hall of Famer (h/t Lakers Nation).

“Greatness,” Divac responded when asked to describe Bryant in one word during his appearance on Byron Scott’s Fast Break. “What he did with his work ethic, with his talent, with his passion. Ready to sacrifice for the goal that he set for his life, it was amazing. I’m glad that I had the opportunity to play at least one year, my last year. And I’m glad that Jerry [West] traded me for him.”

During his 20 seasons, all of which were spent with the Lakers, Bryant won five NBA championships, made 18 All-Star teams and 12 All-Defensive teams and he scored more career points than any other guard in league history. Yet various people continue to attack his resume and legacy, whether it is because of personal dislike or for other reasons.

Divac said he has no idea why people would try to diminish Bryant's accomplishments.

“I’m not in the social media that much so I didn’t see that,” Divac said. “I’m shocked that somebody would do that. Why? I have no idea. Usually what you cannot reach, you trash.

“... It would anger me,” Divac continued. “I didn’t see that, that’s why I’m not [angry] but that’s ridiculous. If you see where he came from, what he achieved, what he went through. He’s my top-3 ever.”

Bryant, of course, died along with his daughter Gianna and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. But his legacy lives on, and he continues to be an inspiration for today's players, not just in the NBA but in other sports as well.

That swap that exchanged Divac for Bryant back in the summer of 1996 could very well be the most lopsided trade in basketball history. While Divac was a good player throughout his 16 seasons in the league, Bryant helped resurrect Lakers mystique after a prolonged drought following Magic Johnson's first retirement in 1991.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Vlade Divac discusses and defends Kobe Bryant's legacy

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