Lakers owe a lot to former centers. No, not Wilt, Kareem and Shaq

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The Times chronicled the history of Lakers’ centers this morning, but was a bit off target. Missing were the two most important centers in team history. Sure Wilt, Kareem and Shaq won titles, but for deep-lasting impact on the franchise none could match Elmore Smith and Vlade Divac.

Smith was at the center of things during a time when the Lakers were more Slow-time than Showtime. He did set the the NBA record by blocking 17 shots in a game against Portland (this was 1973 and there was a good chance most of the Trail Blazers shots would have missed anyway). Smith, though, put as many balls in the seats shooting as he did blocking (he shot above 50% only three times in his 10-year career).

Divac, meanwhile was a landmark Euro import, who was suppose to extend Showtime into the 1990s. Instead, Lakers fans had to settle for ‘80s highlights on their VCRs (kids, that was what ‘DVDs’ were called back then). Vlade eventually became most famous for flopping and being the playoff punch line for Shaquille O’Neal.

So what, pray tell, was their major contribution to the Lakers?

Smith was among the four players sent to the Milwaukee Bucks for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975. Divac was shipper to Carolina in 1996 for some Italian kid, Kobe-something.

And where are they today?

Divac has altruistic pursuits with the Serbian government.

Smith makes barbecue sauce ... gourmet barbecue sauce ...

-- Chris Foster