Former NBA player Vlade Divac recently revealed his picks for the best European starting five of all time.
In an interview with index.hr, Divac named his ideal lineup, composed entirely of players from the former Yugoslavia.
Divac’s starting five includes Kreso Cosic at center, Nikola Jokic at power forward, Toni Kukoc at small forward, Drazen Petrovic at shooting guard, and Sasa Djordevic as the point guard.
“I’ll start from the end, the center. Let it be Kreso Cosic at center, Nikola Jokic at power forward, Toni Kukoc at small forward, Drazen Petrovic at shooting guard, and Sasa Djordevic at point guard,” Divac stated.
Divac expressed how difficult it was to narrow down the list, given the wealth of talent Europe has produced over the years.
“Wow, that was tough. I’ve named these five, but I have so many other fantastic players in mind. I could easily form three teams, but let’s go with this lineup,” he explained.
When asked why he favored players from Yugoslavia, Divac admitted that apart from Arvydas Sabonis, he didn’t see anyone else fitting in.
“Yes, apart from Sabonis, I don’t see who else could fit in,” he said.
Despite the suggestion that Tony Parker could replace Sasa Djordevic at point guard, Divac dismissed the idea.
“No way,” Divac responded firmly, emphasizing his loyalty to Djordevic.
The inclusion of Jokic, a current NBA star and three-time MVP, reflects Divac’s high regard for his contributions to the game.
Meanwhile, Cosic, a legend of European basketball, earns the center spot for his influential role in the sport’s development in the region.
Kukoc, known for his success in both Europe and the NBA, is Divac’s choice at small forward, highlighting his all-around game.
Petrovic, widely regarded as one of the greatest European guards, takes the shooting guard position in this all-time lineup.
Djordevic, who played a pivotal role for Yugoslavia in international competitions, is Divac’s choice to run the point.
Divac expressed regret for not including Dino Radja but said his emotional connection to Cosic played a role in his final decision.
“Sorry, Dino, but I’m emotionally tied to Kreso,” Divac said.
