So how did Vlade Divac spend his All-Star weekend? By hanging out with former Bull/Cavalier/Raptor/Gran Canaria/Tau Ceramica big man Kornél Dávid plus a buncha players from Hungary and old Yugoslavia!
As a prelude to the Hungarian National League all-star game between locals and foreign-born players, the country’s sole NBA product was reunited with his fellow members of the 1999 Team Hungary, which still represents the country’s last Eurobasket Final 16 appearance since 1969. Of the 10 to suit up for the Hungarian team against the former Laker/Hornet/King, five are still active in professional ball.
On Divac’s side were folks from the Yugoslav nations who were/are luminaries in Hungarian basketball, including current Team Hungary/Albacomp coach Branislav Dzunic, Szolnok Olaj assistant coach Dragan Aleksic, and Káposvár assistant coach Gordan Filipovic.
With a highly diplomatic final score of 92-92, Dávid lived up to his local star billing to produce a 20-point, six-rebound effort while Divac played little and scored just one bucket. Maybe he was beat from public appearances … or maybe that Budapest night life got to him. Who needs L.A.?
As for the main festivities, BallinEurope does believe this all-star game was a mutant scoring fest among mutant scoring fests. Final score: Hungary 169, Foreigners 167; the sides scored 40 points or more in six of eight possible chances. Ádám Hanga was named MVP for his 29-point, 15-assist showing; the gaudiest line – perhaps in any all-star weekend on the planet in 2011 – was turned in by former University of Oklahoma Sooner Tony Crocker at 29 points and 21 assists.
Crocker warmed up for the game by winning this year’s dunk contest. A brief video of the Hungary-Yugoslavia match may be seen here (scroll down the page a bit). But, hey, here are some cheerleaders from the show.
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