Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, two of the players most responsible for transforming the Kings into one of the NBA's most entertaining and successful franchises of the late 1990s and early part of this decade, will have their jerseys retired later this season.
Webber's ceremony is Feb. 6, either at halftime or after the Utah Jazz game. Divac's ceremony is March 31, a date he requested so friend and former teammate Peja Stojakovic can attend while in town with the New Orleans Hornets. "We have a great deal of respect for Vlade and Chris," Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said Wednesday. "We really appreciate their efforts and what they did for our franchise nationally and internationally."
It has been five years since a King's jersey was retired. Mitch Richmond, who donned No. 2, became the first Sacramento-era player so honored and the seventh in franchise history. The Kings also retired No. 6 in a tribute to fans as the sixth man.
"That's what you aspire to as a player, to have your number retired someday," said Maloof, adding that plans for the ceremonies had been in the works since the summer.
Webber's best years were his seven seasons with the Kings as he earned four All-Star nods and led the franchise into the NBA's upper echelon.
Maloof said he has fond memories of both players, pinpointing his favorite recollection of Webber.
"The memory I have is when we put the billboard up that said Joe (Maloof) would mow his lawn if he stayed (after becoming a free agent in 2001)," Gavin said.
Webber, an explosive, versatile power forward, suffered a career-threatening knee injury in the 2003 Western Conference semifinals. He was not the same after microfracture surgery.
The Kings dealt Webber to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005. After subsequent stints with the Detroit Pistons and Golden State Warriors, Webber retired in March at age 35.
He played in 831 games during his 15-year career, averaging 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Webber could not be reached. Divac, contacted on his cell phone in Belgrade, Serbia, said he was humbled to hear his number would be retired.
"I am just so glad to feel the appreciation of the Kings and the community," Divac said. "When I look back on my career, playing in Sacramento, that was my brightest moment. Sometimes I think about the first practice I had there. Now we're talking about jersey retirement. Amazing."
Divac, a center, was the cornerstone of a resurgent franchise and the centerpiece of some of the best-passing teams the NBA has seen in decades. The 7-foot-1 Serbian ended his 16-year career in 2005 at age 37. He averaged 11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists in eight seasons with the Lakers, two with Charlotte and six with the Kings.
Divac now works as an adviser to Serbia's deputy prime minister and as founder of Humanitarian Organization Divac (HOD), a charitable group working with Serbian refugees.
"He was like the mayor of Sacramento," Gavin Maloof said. "If someone didn't like Vlade, there was something wrong with that person. Everyone loved Vlade."
Kings' NEXT GAME FRIDAY AT HOUSTON Time: 5:30 p.m. TV: CSN.
FOREVER Kings The Kings will unveil a ticket package to honor the event called Forever Kings, a four-game pack that includes jersey retirements for Vlade Divac and Chris Webber and two premier games. Prices for the four-pack start at $102 and includes a commemorative T-shirt. * Utah, Feb. 6: Webber jersey retirement. * Cleveland, March 13: LeBron James' only visit. * New Orleans, March 31: Divac jersey retirement. * L.A. Lakers, April 7: Their last visit.
OTHER RETIRED Kings JERSEYS Nate Archibald (No. 1), Mitch Richmond (No. 2), Sixth Man (No. 6), Bobby Davies (No. 11), Maurice Stokes (No. 12), Oscar Robertson (No. 14), Jack Twyman (No. 27) and Sam Lacey (No. 44).
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521. To get breaking news alerts and game scores sent to your phone, text Kings to 72737.
