Divac says no to Olympics

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac will not play for Serbia-Montenegro at the Athens Olympics, saying he is no longer the best big man on his country's national team.

The 36-year-old Divac told B-92 radio on Monday he has ``given enough'' to the national team and it's time to leave.

More than a dozen players from Serbia-Montenegro play in the NBA, including Kings star Peja Stojakovic. Serbia-Montenegro, the former Yugoslavia, is a favorite to make the Olympic final against the United States.

Divac said Detroit Pistons centers Darko Milicic and Zeljko Rebraca, and Predrag Drobnjak of the Los Angeles Clippers can help the national team more than he can at the games in August.

``The best should play for the national team, and I'm no longer its best center,'' Divac said.

Yugoslavia beat the United States in the quarterfinals of the 2002 world championships in Indianapolis and won the gold medal. The U.S. team will play Serbia-Montenegro in an Olympic warmup Aug. 6 in Belgrade.

Via Associated Press

Sacramento Kings

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Mavs, Kings owners endorse NBA team in Las Vegas

DALLAS (AP) The owners of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings would love to see an NBA team in one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, even if that locale also is the nation's gambling capital _ Las Vegas.

While discussing the topic of expansion, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said during a conference call Thursday that Las Vegas was their top choice for a 31st franchise, whenever the league is ready to expand again. A 30th team will start next season in Charlotte, N.C.

Actually, Cuban called Las Vegas ``my first bet,'' a phrase that cuts to the reason why such a booming area lacks a team in any of the four major pro sports.

Because gambling is legal in the city _ including at a hotel owned by the Maloof family _ the NBA and other leagues have preferred to literally distance themselves.

The league's board of governors last discussed Las Vegas' viability in 1999. Commissioner David Stern said sports books would have to stop taking wagers on pro basketball if the NBA put a franchise there.

Las Vegas came up Thursday in response to a question about whether Baltimore could be the NBA's next market.

``Baltimore possibly, but my first bet would be Las Vegas,'' Cuban said.

``I would second that,'' Maloof said.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank, who took part in the call, later said the league has no expansion plans, noting that even the addition of Charlotte came about because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the departure of the Hornets.

Asked about Stern's stance on Las Vegas, Frank said: ``If we determine down the road to expand, he'll take anything into consideration.''

Another expansion option the owners discussed was taking the league overseas. Maloof said he thinks it would work _ eventually.

``I think it's a ways away,'' he said. ``Not within five years, maybe 10 years. But I think it can become a reality.''

Cuban called Europe ``a potential marketplace,'' but stressed that the NBA must first maximize its U.S. base.

``I wouldn't be a big proponent until our ratings are rivaling the NFL. I think our product is that good that it can,'' he said.

Via Associated Press

General Basketball, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings

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Stojakovic shooting for third 3-point title

NEW YORK (AP) Two-time defending champion Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings will head a field of six in the 3-point-shooting contest during the NBA All-Star weekend.

A victory will enable Stojakovic to join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win three years in a row.

Brent Barry and Rashard Lewis of Seattle, Chauncey Billups of Detroit, Voshon Lenard of Denver and Cuttino Mobley of Houston will try to stop Stojakovic in the competition Feb. 14 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The contest is part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night program that will include the rising stars slam dunk, skills challenge and shooting stars competitions. The All-Star game is Feb. 15.

Via Associated Press

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