Even Vlade Divac thinks flopping has gotten out of hand

Sam Amick | USA TODAY Sports

SACRAMENTO — In the decade since Vlade Divac was part of an NBA franchise, much has changed about the league that he has always loved.

The two organizations with which he had so much success — the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings — have taken the kinds of nosedives that once seemed unthinkable. Back-to-the-basket big men like him have seen their place in the hoops world marginalized as a result of an evolving game. And last but certainly not least, the art of flopping that he perfected and almost single-handedly brought into the sport is now considered a basketball crime.

Talk about a not-so-warm welcome back party.

In truth, though, the always-affable and wildly-popular Divac is ecstatic to be back in the NBA. After spending so many of his post-playing days doing humanitarian work in his home country and serving as president of the Serbian Olympic Committee, Divac recently accepted a position as vice president of basketball and franchise operations for the Kings.

In a recent interview with USA TODAY Sports, the 47-year-old discussed everything from today's NBA, his new role in Sacramento, his opinion that Kobe Bryant as the best player he ever teamed up with and — of course — his one-of-a-kind view on the flopping front.

Q: So Vlade, we haven't seen you for years. But between humanitarian work and the Olympic Committee role, I've heard plenty about what has been keeping you busy. Before we talk hoops, tell me about this past decade when it comes to accomplishments that mean the most to you.

A: Well, you mentioned it. The humanitarian work when I went back home. During the '90s, there was obviously a civil war (in former Yugoslavia), and when I came back there were a lot of refugees. So my foundation helped like 2,500 people find a home and rebuild the life, so that was something that I am so proud of. Obviously with the sport, when I moved back to Europe I was in Madrid working with Real Madrid (basketball) for a year. Then I became the president of the Serbian Olympic Committee, and it was a great role because, you know, sport generally gave me a lot of things in my life so it was like one way of giving sport back, create environment and funds for Serbian athletes who participate in Olympic games. That was something also that made me proud.

Q: What's the back story with this new role you have in Sacramento? How long have you been talking to second-year Kings owner Vivek Ranadive about it, and where's your head at there?

A: Well I met Mr. Vivek first time some time last year, when I came to Sacramento after they found way to keep the franchise in Sacramento (when it appeared a group in Seattle would buy and relocate the team), and I was so happy. (He was) telling people overseas that usually in the States, it's all business, right? But this was probably one single story where love and emotions won over the business, you know? And I think people in Sacramento really deserve to have the team, because they love basketball.

Obviously I was invited to be part of the NBA China game, where Kings and Nets had a couple games, and the more chance to talk with Vivek about his philosophy and vision. I really kind of enjoyed his company and talk about possibilities and what we can do in Sacramento. And then he started talking about maybe bringing me back, and my plans obviously were focused on my family

We (Divac and his family) started moving — my oldest son already moved to L.A. to study, the other one (is) in New York to study. And then I have a daughter finishing high school, and my wife and me, we talked about moving back with them when my daughter finished high school. And obviously New York (at All-Star weekend), again I saw Vivek and we talked about it, and I accepted the job because I think it's a great opportunity.

Q: One of your roles with this new job is going to be international scouting, but things have changed since those days when you came over and the Kings were finding players like Peja Stojakovic in Europe. How do you see that aspect of this job?

A: The philosophy of the coaches back in Europe, they keep things close. They don't let people — especially scouts — be at the practices or things like that. But I think for us, it's a great opportunity because the doors for me are pretty much open, so I can get more details. I think that's the biggest plus.

Q: I have to imagine you've had other opportunities to get back into the league. Have you passed up jobs like this in the past?

A: Well yeah, I still keep very close relationship with the old guys that I had some time (with) during my long-time NBA career. I have friends all over the place. One of them — and he's probably an icon now in the NBA, somebody who had vision a long time ago, somebody who actually is probably the reason why I came to the NBA in the first place — that's (San Antonio Spurs coach) Gregg Popovich. (He) was one of the first, let's say, NBA people, to start exploring in the late '80s outside the NBA. He was the reason why we all came in '89, that first wave of European guys, which I had a lot of respect for the coach. I had an opportunity to talk to him the other day, he was very happy that I came back to NBA. I asked for some advice from his people.

Obviously the Lakers organization is helpful. You know, I was thinking about making this move the last year or so, so I was talking to (Lakers general manager) Mitch (Kupchak) and everybody there just to get a feeling of how things work, obviously the experience I had with the Lakers. When I finished my career, I worked in front office as a scout for a year and then moved to Real Madrid, also in front office. So I'm not somebody that doesn't have experience in that (role), but this is a whole new picture.

Q: There aren't as many quality big men in the league today as there were when you played. Why do you think that is?

A: Well, the league is changing every year. It changed when I came. It changed before me. First of all, we have to be thankful for all those guys in the '60s and '70s. They made this league one of the best sports leagues in the world. It's good for basketball to grow. You have now more physical, more guys that — you know, guys who can play point guard, two-guard, small forward, even center in some points. Basically, anybody can play any position.

I think the big guys, we lost that back-to-the-basket player. But it starts all from fundamentals, from early age when you really practice on those kinds of things. How to play when you have a back to the basket. (The Memphis Grizzlies') Marc Gasol is, for me, who I really enjoy watching. He makes everybody better on the floor. And (Kings center) DeMarcus (Cousins) this year is kind of playing the same way. He's playing his game, but he's trying to make everybody else better on the floor. That's something I learned from Magic (Johnson), and later on helped me when I played with Sacramento. I have a lot of respect for those guys where it's not about me, it's about the team.

Q: So Vlade, I have to admit: Every time I get an e-mail from the NBA saying that somebody has been fined for flopping, I think of you. It comes with a video attachment, where we can see the crime in progress, and it has become this culture where it's clearly not as acceptable as it was when you were perfecting the art.

A: (Laughs) Well, that should be my job. They should hire me to judge — is it flop or not, right?

Q: Are you volunteering?

A: Yeah, I can do that. If the NBA wants me to be somebody who can say, "It is flop or not?" I'll do that for free. For fun.

Q: But then nobody would get fined. Who are you kidding, Vlade?

A: Well you know what, obviously my flopping came because of Shaq (O'Neal). There's no secret about it. That's the only way I could try to draw attention to referees what's going on (when his Kings played the Lakers). But after me, I think guys tried to overdo it. It takes fun from the game, so I'm glad they changed the rules. I support it.

Q: There's a guy nowadays who gets some grief for being very good at making the most of the rules, and that's James Harden. He's getting to the line at an incredible rate and has become so good at drawing the foul — doing whatever he can to help his team win. How do you see a guy like that?

A: Well you know, my point is that you have the rules, and you just try to explore. Like you said, you do the best you can to try to help your team to win … He doesn't do anything against the rules, so if that takes the fun of the game (away), they should change the rules. It's like flopping. In my case, it was Shaq, a big man. I felt like he could score anytime he wants. He uses his body, is so powerful, and sometimes goes through you but the referee doesn't call it, so you try to draw attention. Same thing here, he tries to use his body and draw the fouls, and if that takes fun of the game, you find a way to stop it. Right now, it's totally legit.

Q: Another time when you tend to pop into my consciousness is whenever I deal with Kobe Bryant. I sat down with him recently to talk about his new documentary, and it made me wonder: have you guys ever talked about that infamous trade in '96. (Divac was traded from the Lakers to the Charlotte Hornets in the deal that gave the Lakers Bryant's rights and set the stage for his storied career in Los Angeles.)

A: Maybe very briefly. My last year in the NBA, he was my teammate (in 2004-05). Or I would say, I was his teammate. It was fun. You know when you start something, and you make a big circle and you come to the end. It was a lovely story that I finished my career with Kobe, with somebody who I was traded for. I have a lot of respect for the guy. I think he's definitely, by far, the best talent that I ever, ever played with. (It's) obviously very close with Magic (Johnson) and Chris Webber, Glen Rice and Peja Stojakovic — it's unbelievable experience for me to have a teammate like that next to me.