http://www.pe.com/sports/lakers/stories/PE_Sports_Local_nba_spl_22.a138f.html Lakers' prized rookie plays with a flair NBA SUMMER PRO LEAGUE 12:23 AM PDT on Thursday, July 22, 2004 By MATT HURST / The Press-Enterprise LONG BEACH - These days it seems as if everyone is trying to get a piece of Lakers rookie Sasha Vujacic. From the two large scratch marks on his right shoulder following Tuesday's Summer Pro League victory against the Memphis Grizzlies to the fans who flock to him seeking autographs after a game, the Lakers' first-round draft pick is a hot commodity. His game on the court is worth the attention. Vujacic, from Slovenia, is just 20 years old. But, after playing the past four seasons for Italy's Snaidero Udine, he doesn't play like someone who is just out of his teens. He is a wiry 6-foot-7 point guard who sees and runs the floor well. Unlike stereotypical European products, Vujacic can play defense. "I think he has a good flair for the game. Obviously he has to get a little stronger, get a little bit more experience and be able to deal with the defensive pressure that the guards put on him," said Lakers scout Brian Shaw, who is a coach for the summer league team. "But that's pretty typical for rookies at the point guard position." Vujacic, the 27th pick in this year's NBA draft, signed a three-year, $2.5 million contract with the Lakers Tuesday. He has turned into a crowd favorite, but it could be because he is one of the few recognizable players on the Lakers' summer team. Or it could be because he can mix flashy plays with fundamentals. Like when he was running a fast break and whipped a pass to a cutting Marcus Douthit for a dunk. Or when he flipped a behind-the-back pass to Nate Johnson, who canned a three-pointer. Bill Bertka, who is coaching the summer league team, listed the things he liked most about Vujacic: "His ability to get the ball to his teammates, his enthusiasm for the game (and that) he's an intelligent player." Vujacic speaks English fairly well and says he has adjusted well to American life, though he misses his authentic Italian food. "To be here in the States, you must eat hamburgers," he said. He says he misses Italy and will return there for two months before training camp begins, even though he is originally from Slovenia. "I am a little bit in love with Italy," said Vujacic. "I would not say (it's my) hometown, but I feel like I'm from Italy because everything happened there, especially basketball." With Gary Payton the only true veteran guard on the Lakers' roster, Vujacic might see some playing time this season. Bertka said Vujacic still has some things to learn, but that his shooting has been better than anticipated and that makes him "a good candidate" for Rudy Tomjanovich's style of coaching. Reach Matt Hurst at [email protected]. --

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