VLADE DIVAC

Playing basketball taught me the value of determination and teamwork.

I believe that love gives you the freedom and power to share your best self and to inspire others.

Am I perfect? Not at all. I'm just like everybody else.

My generation started in big tournaments. '88 Olympics, we got silver. '89 European Championship, we got gold. 1990 World Cup in Argentina, we got gold. '91 European Championship, we got gold, and then there was a civil war, and for three years, we didn't play.

Kobe made an impact on basketball in a big way. He came in the League when he was 17 years old, but he was working on his game every day... The way he played, people all around the world loved the passion that he put in for basketball.

Being a role model was part of my life and I could either ignore it or take responsibility. I chose to take it.

Well, I tried to play defense. But when they did call a foul on Shaq, I tried to make sure they called a foul.

I played basketball because I loved the game. I played because I was making a lot of friends around the world... It's fun.

I don't enjoy playing against Shaq.

Kobe's legacy is definitely one of the best players to play this game ever.

I had to earn the respect from everybody, from referees to opponents, but my teammates, they saw some European guy coming here and I had to prove myself. Luckily, I proved myself, but with big help from the entire Lakers organization.

Basketball is like life and life is like basketball. It's just a game. So lets play the best we can while we are still here with love, compassion, selflessness fairplay and supporting each other to be bigger and better human beings.

I started playing in school. Lots of kids in Yugoslavia play basketball.

I play for peace and love.

It's always a good feeling when you can help instead of just receiving help.

Since the age of 12, I was on my own. Everything I do, I get my parents' support.

I can't be against my people.

As in life, to be the best in basketball you can't put any limits on your existence.

I just think positive and positive things usually happen.

I always enjoy playing against great players. You can learn from the best.

Thank God there was no yellow card in basketball because I would get a red card every game.

When I came to New York for the draft in '89, they told me I should be like 10 and 15, and it didn't happen. So I was very disappointed, like, nobody wants me.

I have to give a lot of credit to David Stern to open up the league, but also in my case, Jerry West and Dr. Buss that had the vision of international guys making it to the NBA.

It's good for basketball to grow.

People always said you shouldn't get in politics and talk about politics. But I believe the politics are all around us.