Divac Says He Defends, Not Flops

King center Vlade Divac is renowned around the NBA for flopping, yet he insisted he doesn’t know the definition of the word. If it means falling theatrically on his backside after Shaquille O’Neal turns in to him to shoot a basket, Divac pleaded not guilty Thursday.

“I don’t know what is flopping,” Divac said. “I think Derek Fisher does a better job of that than I do. It’s taking a charge. It’s for the refs to decide.”

Divac, singled out in the past as one of O’Neal’s least favorite opponents because of his flopping, then nudged a reporter gently in the chest.

“See,” he said. “You flopped.”

After the laughter of other reporters had subsided, Divac continued to defend his defense.

“What am I supposed to do?” he asked. “Sorry, Shaq, but I can’t let you just come in here and dunk. I hope the refs decide what’s fair. I mean [O’Neal] is doing elbows and everything, which is not allowed.”

Divac then offered this opinion of O’Neal: “For me, he’s the best player in the game. His size is his advantage. It’s like me playing against you [a reporter of average height]. You can’t stop me.”

Divac waited for the giggling to stop before pressing on in a more serious tone.

“Every year, he is improving his game,” he said of O’Neal. “He didn’t have a turnaround jump shot or a jump hook like he has now. He has more weapons. He is a complete player right now.”

Asked how he might exploit O’Neal’s injured right big toe, Divac merely smiled.

“Give him credit,” he said. “He’s played all year long in pain. I think I’ll have to use my quickness to the basket. Hopefully, the refs will call some fouls.”

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Chris Webber had this to say about flopping: “I’m the last person to ask. As many offensive fouls as I get, I expect Shaq to get four a game. Imagine what it will be like with Shaq going against Vlade, who is 100 pounds [lighter]. Flopping is definitely a problem in the NBA. I think they should call fouls for flopping. It’s getting ridiculous when you take a step in to a guy and he falls down.”

Webber on the referees: “I hope this is a series where the refs don’t read the papers. I hope they’re sequestered, like a jury.”

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Peja Stojakovic, expected to be sidelined for at least the first two games of the series because of a sprained right ankle, worked out lightly at the Kings’ practice facility. He walked on a treadmill, rode an exercise bike and shot baskets, according to Coach Rick Adelman.

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Scot Pollard had a snappy comeback for a reporter who wondered if it was critical for the Kings to win Game 1 Saturday at Arco Arena.

“We would like to get Game 1,” he said, then paused before adding, “and we would like to get Game 2 and Game 3 and Game 4. It takes four wins to advance.”

Of the matchup between the Kings and Lakers, Pollard said, “In Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq, they have a 1-2 punch that’s probably the best in the game. But I think we have the better team.”