10. Vlade Divac
In today’s game, teams usually have three or four foreign born players on their roster. Divac however, was the one of the first foreign born players to play in the NBA, and to make an impact. The Lakers selected Divac out of Serbia in the 1989 draft, as Divac was the only international player selected in the first round.
Divac produced immediately (video above), averaging 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his rookie season, earning him a spot on the NBA All Rookie First-Team. Divac was key piece to the 1990 team that went to the Finals, averaging 13.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Divac was a tremendous defender, at fourth all-time in blocks in Lakers history.
Divac’s last three seasons with the Lakers were the best of his career. He averaged 14.3 points and 10 rebounds over the course of those seasons. Let’s not forget that Divac was dealt for Kobe Bryant on draft night in 1996.
Divac was one of the best players on the early 2000 Kings teams that gave the Lakers all they could handle year in and year out in the playoffs.
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