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Troubling times

Parents put Divac at ease during Kosovo conflict

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Posted: Thursday March 25, 1999 03:42 PM

Vlade Divac took his frustrations out on the Knicks. Otto Greule Jr./Allsport

SACRAMENTO (Ticker) -- Sacramento's Vlade Divac had his mind on the bombing of his native country, but didn't play like it Wednesday night.

Divac, a Serbian born in the former Yugoslavia, played under duress due to the events in Kosovo. But Divac had a stellar performance with 18 points, seven rebounds and a season-high 10 assists in a 92-91 victory over the New York Knicks. He sparked Sacramento's fourth-quarter rally with seven points.

The Kings snapped their season-high four-game losing streak in the game, but more importantly, Divac heard from his father beforehand. Divac, whose family lives near Kosovo, was shaken by his inability to contact his mother and father before finally contacting them.

NBA Players born in the Balkans Country Player NBA Team Croatia Croatia Croatia Serbia Slovenia Yugoslavia Toni Kukoc Stojko Vrankovic Mate Skelin Vlade Divac Marko Milic Predrag Stojakovic Chicago Bulls Los Angeles Clippers Indiana Pacers Sacramento Kings Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings

After the victory, Divac said: "The game helped me really get past the terrible things that were happening at home. I really got no sleep (last night), so I just prayed. But I did get to talk to my father (just) before the game, so that made things easier."

 

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