Marty Mac's World: Divac's suspicions continue

Ex-NBA referee Tim Donaghy's claims Tuesday that something shady occurred in Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals between the Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers was not news to Vlade Divac.

Divac, who played two stints with the Lakers and now is a European scout for them, was the Kings' starting center in 2002 when Sacramento lost that controversial Game 6 in Los Angeles.

Divac said by phone Wednesday from Madrid, Spain, he still hopes Donaghy's accusations are untrue.

"I knew something was wrong then, and I still know something was wrong," said Divac, who fouled out of Game 6, as did fellow Kings center Scot Pollard.

"My first reaction to hearing this is that I hope it's not true. There was definitely something going on, but in my imagination, I never could have taken it so far to think that the league was behind it."

Divac was Real Madrid's general manager in the Euroleague a year ago, but he left that post to work with Humanitarian Organization Divac, which provides assistance and housing for refugees worldwide.

"Once I decided to help the refugees, I realized that helping them was going to require more time," Divac said. "And I want to do as much as I can."

Divac said Wednesday the group placed 10 Serbian families – some of whom have been in refugee camps for 15 years – in rebuilt homes.

Divac's sense of humor is legendary. However, he floated one half-serious thought about that infamous game.

"We should play Game 6 again and raise money for the refugees," Divac said. "We could put a lot of families in homes."

One can visit www.Divac.com for more information.

Keep conspiracy thoughts quiet

Over the years, several Kings from the 2001-02 season have voiced off-the-record thoughts about how they believed they'd been had in Game 6. Some said as much as soon as the game ended.

However, if you have current ties to the NBA, you likely don't want your name linked to such comments.

That's why one player on that squad said: "What? I've been telling you that ever since it happened. That game was called with one thing in mind – the Lakers winning. But I can't say that publicly. …

"But they got us, didn't they?" said the player, who wouldn't go on the record for fear of repercussions from the NBA. "Just like I told you they did when it happened."

He seems to have flipped on flop

Divac's picture and technique should be in the NBA rulebook next to the definition of flopping, but he's all for the league's proposal to fine floppers.

"These kids that watched me do it have taken it way too far," he said, and you could almost see him grinning over the phone line. "It's ridiculous."

Then he turned serious, or semi-serious.

"I did that because of (Shaquille O'Neal)," Divac said of the center, now with Phoenix. "Is he still playing?

"No, that was the only way to make sure refs call fouls. I had to do that or they would have let him do what he wanted to do."

Welch makes his points

High-scoring Julian Welch, who graduated from Franklin High School last week, has no basketball scholarship.

So call it a graduation present to himself Sunday when he scored 27 of his 29 points in the second half to lead the Sac seniors over the Bay Area seniors at Newark Memorial High School.

Asked if his flow during that second half was his best, Welch said, "I don't know. I've been hot a lot of games."

Said showcase director Phil Handy of Welch: "He turned it out. He didn't do anything different than what he'd done all year. He took over the game at both ends."

Welch said he has had recent talks with Hartford and Saint Mary's.

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