Divac: Kobe is 'by far the best talent that I ever, ever played with'

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made quite the impression on Vlade Divac during their one season together.

The two were teammates for Divac's final season. And while the Lakers went a disappointing 34-48 after coming off a run of four title appearances in five seasons, Bryant did enough to earn high praise from Divac - two players who will forever be linked to one another. 

Divac was asked if he and Bryant ever talked about the infamous 1996 trade they were both part of. Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 13 overall pick, only to be turned around and dealt to the Lakers. Divac told Sam Amick of USA Today:

Maybe very briefly. My last year in the NBA, he was my teammate (in 2004-05). Or I would say, I was his teammate. It was fun. You know when you start something, and you make a big circle and you come to the end. It was a lovely story that I finished my career with Kobe, with somebody who I was traded for. I have a lot of respect for the guy. I think he's definitely, by far, the best talent that I ever, ever played with. (It's) obviously very close with Magic (Johnson) and Chris Webber, Glen Rice and Peja Stojakovic - it's unbelievable experience for me to have a teammate like that next to me.

It's a trade the Hornets surely came to regret and one that helped the Lakers continue tacking on titles. Bryant, the Lakers' all-time leader in points, has helped the organization win five championships, including a string of three in a row from 2000-2002.