Finding multiple contenders at their figurative heels for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed heading into the All-Star Weekend, the Los Angeles Lakers — from its standing, to its rim, to its homecourt — weren’t short on things to protect. Committed to conquering the challenge, even if it meant surviving a rim-based battle against “The Human Highlight Film,” Vlade Divac showed that he possessed the required gusto, even as a rookie. Maximizing his contributions as the Lakers’ top bench reserve, the Serbian center hustles into a last-minute defensive rotation, extending his frame to authoritively send Dominique Wilkins’ layup attempt in the opposite direction. Divac’s hustle sequence drew the approval of both the Great Western Forum and his veteran teammates, cohesiveness that would help the Lakers usurp the Atlanta Hawks for a back-and-forth win on February 2, 1990. Ultimately securing the starting center reins for the Finals-bound Lakers a season later, the always-versatile Divac stuffed the box score as an understudy, contributing 12 points (on five-of-six shooting), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three rejections across 24 minutes. · Feb 3, 1990