BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac will not play for Serbia-Montenegro at the Athens Olympics, saying he is no longer the best big man on his country's national team.

The 36-year-old Divac told B-92 radio on Monday he has ``given enough'' to the national team and it's time to leave.

More than a dozen players from Serbia-Montenegro play in the NBA, including Kings star Peja Stojakovic. Serbia-Montenegro, the former Yugoslavia, is a favorite to make the Olympic final against the United States.

Divac said Detroit Pistons centers Darko Milicic and Zeljko Rebraca, and Predrag Drobnjak of the Los Angeles Clippers can help the national team more than he can at the games in August.

``The best should play for the national team, and I'm no longer its best center,'' Divac said.

Yugoslavia beat the United States in the quarterfinals of the 2002 world championships in Indianapolis and won the gold medal. The U.S. team will play Serbia-Montenegro in an Olympic warmup Aug. 6 in Belgrade.

DALLAS (AP) The owners of the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings would love to see an NBA team in one of the nation's fastest-growing cities, even if that locale also is the nation's gambling capital _ Las Vegas.

While discussing the topic of expansion, Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof said during a conference call Thursday that Las Vegas was their top choice for a 31st franchise, whenever the league is ready to expand again. A 30th team will start next season in Charlotte, N.C.

Actually, Cuban called Las Vegas ``my first bet,'' a phrase that cuts to the reason why such a booming area lacks a team in any of the four major pro sports.

Because gambling is legal in the city _ including at a hotel owned by the Maloof family _ the NBA and other leagues have preferred to literally distance themselves.

The league's board of governors last discussed Las Vegas' viability in 1999. Commissioner David Stern said sports books would have to stop taking wagers on pro basketball if the NBA put a franchise there.

Las Vegas came up Thursday in response to a question about whether Baltimore could be the NBA's next market.

``Baltimore possibly, but my first bet would be Las Vegas,'' Cuban said.

``I would second that,'' Maloof said.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank, who took part in the call, later said the league has no expansion plans, noting that even the addition of Charlotte came about because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the departure of the Hornets.

Asked about Stern's stance on Las Vegas, Frank said: ``If we determine down the road to expand, he'll take anything into consideration.''

Another expansion option the owners discussed was taking the league overseas. Maloof said he thinks it would work _ eventually.

``I think it's a ways away,'' he said. ``Not within five years, maybe 10 years. But I think it can become a reality.''

Cuban called Europe ``a potential marketplace,'' but stressed that the NBA must first maximize its U.S. base.

``I wouldn't be a big proponent until our ratings are rivaling the NFL. I think our product is that good that it can,'' he said.

NEW YORK (AP) Two-time defending champion Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings will head a field of six in the 3-point-shooting contest during the NBA All-Star weekend.

A victory will enable Stojakovic to join Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win three years in a row.

Brent Barry and Rashard Lewis of Seattle, Chauncey Billups of Detroit, Voshon Lenard of Denver and Cuttino Mobley of Houston will try to stop Stojakovic in the competition Feb. 14 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The contest is part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night program that will include the rising stars slam dunk, skills challenge and shooting stars competitions. The All-Star game is Feb. 15.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Even Chris Webber can see it from his seat behind the bench: The Sacramento Kings are Peja Stojakovic's team now, and they don't seem to miss Webber in the slightest.

And it isn't just Stojakovic's scoring spree that has triggered this change in the Kings, who have the NBA's best record without their best player.

Stojakovic's teammates and coaches see new maturity and confidence in the league's second-leading scorer, who's enjoying his best pro season under the unprecedented pressure of Webber's slow recovery from offseason knee surgery.

``Peja is doing it all,'' Webber said, standing in the shadows near the Kings' locker room at Arco Arena. ``We haven't missed a beat. He's playing better than he ever has.''

A few months ago, Webber was worried about the Kings' chemistry after adding Brad Miller to their experienced core. Teamwork has been the Kings' greatest asset during their renaissance, and the addition could have been problematic.

Instead, the Kings are thriving. Stojakovic and Mike Bibby are handling more of the scoring load for the NBA's highest-scoring team. Miller fills nearly every other role once occupied by Webber, their leader in points, rebounds and assists last season.

So what will Webber do with himself when he returns, possibly later this month?

``I just hope I can fit in,'' he said. ``We've got a good vibe going here. We're winning a lot of games and playing real cohesively as a team. You don't want to mess that up, so hopefully we can find a role for everybody.''

Not many teams have the luxury of a $127 million role player, and not many could thrive after losing a five-time All-Star. But the Kings have assembled a roster that has been incredibly consistent through injuries, slumps and the extra attention caused by their flamboyant style and consistent success.

A year ago, Webber repeatedly stated his intention to have the ball in his hands at the end of any important game. This season, the Kings clearly want the ball with Stojakovic _ even if he doesn't take the big shot.

``Peja is growing into that role,'' coach Rick Adelman said. ``It's great to see him mature, but we have a great environment for that. These guys have such a strong team concept that almost anybody can take that big shot. I love to see Peja being this assertive, though.

``We knew Chris was going to be out for a while, but I didn't think we needed to change the way we do things. Brad has taken on a lot of the things Chris does for us, and Peja has taken on other things.''

Adelman never made any demands on Stojakovic when it became clear Webber would miss at least half of the regular season. Stojakovic embraced his new role easily, simply looking for a few extra shots in every game.

``Everybody has to step up and help, and I just try to be more aggressive,'' Stojakovic said. ``In some games last year, I didn't try to get my shot as much. Now, I always try to step up and help with passing and scoring. It's no big deal.''

Maybe not to Stojakovic, but his teammates are impressed with his subtle improvements.

Stojakovic is one of the NBA's best at creating space for his own jump shot, and he's been even better this season. He rarely needs even an extra step on his defender: With a pump-fake and a jab step, the 6-foot-10 forward can create enough inches of space to launch his jumpers.

``I didn't play against Larry Bird in his prime, but you'd probably have to compare him to that,'' said Doug Christie, Stojakovic's teammate for four years. ``He's the best shooter I've ever seen. When he shoots, sometimes I just catch myself watching.''

The extra defensive attention on Stojakovic has allowed Miller and Bibby to improve as well.

After frequently deferring to his teammates during his first two seasons with the Kings, Bibby has become Sacramento's second-leading scorer with more than 17 points per game. His outside shot, once considered his weakness, has been much more accurate, and he's making better than 85 percent of his free throws.

Miller has embraced the Kings' team concept with amazing speed. He averages double figures in points and rebounds while improving on the physical presence of Scot Pollard, traded to Indiana in the deal for Miller.

``Everybody knew he was good, but I don't think anybody knew he was this good,'' said guard Bobby Jackson, who's enjoying another strong season as the Kings' sixth man.

Everything is clicking for the Kings. They're averaging more than 27 assists per game with their usual superb ball movement, and their assist-to-turnover ratio is one of the highest in recent league history.

Are the Kings better off without Webber?

When he returns, Webber will take minutes away from Miller and Vlade Divac, and Stojakovic and Bibby probably will surrender a few shots per game.

Webber has resumed working out with the team, though he doesn't scrimmage. The Kings refuse to put a timetable on his return, but many expect he'll be back before the All-Star break.

And though his return could change Sacramento's chemistry, the Kings have shown it's a durable equation.

``Chris is a great player,'' Stojakovic said. ``You can't have too many great players.''

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Even Chris Webber can see it from his seat behind the bench: The Sacramento Kings are Peja Stojakovic's team now, and they don't seem to miss Webber in the slightest.

And it isn't just Stojakovic's scoring spree that has triggered this change in the Kings, who have the NBA's best record without their best player.

Stojakovic's teammates and coaches see new maturity and confidence in the league's second-leading scorer, who's enjoying his best pro season under the unprecedented pressure of Webber's slow recovery from offseason knee surgery.

``Peja is doing it all,'' Webber said, standing in the shadows near the Kings' locker room at Arco Arena. ``We haven't missed a beat. He's playing better than he ever has.''

A few months ago, Webber was worried about the Kings' chemistry after adding Brad Miller to their experienced core. Teamwork has been the Kings' greatest asset during their renaissance, and the addition could have been problematic.

Instead, the Kings are thriving. Stojakovic and Mike Bibby are handling more of the scoring load for the NBA's highest-scoring team. Miller fills nearly every other role once occupied by Webber, their leader in points, rebounds and assists last season.

So what will Webber do with himself when he returns, possibly later this month?

``I just hope I can fit in,'' he said. ``We've got a good vibe going here. We're winning a lot of games and playing real cohesively as a team. You don't want to mess that up, so hopefully we can find a role for everybody.''

Not many teams have the luxury of a $127 million role player, and not many could thrive after losing a five-time All-Star. But the Kings have assembled a roster that has been incredibly consistent through injuries, slumps and the extra attention caused by their flamboyant style and consistent success.

A year ago, Webber repeatedly stated his intention to have the ball in his hands at the end of any important game. This season, the Kings clearly want the ball with Stojakovic _ even if he doesn't take the big shot.

``Peja is growing into that role,'' coach Rick Adelman said. ``It's great to see him mature, but we have a great environment for that. These guys have such a strong team concept that almost anybody can take that big shot. I love to see Peja being this assertive, though.

``We knew Chris was going to be out for a while, but I didn't think we needed to change the way we do things. Brad has taken on a lot of the things Chris does for us, and Peja has taken on other things.''

Adelman never made any demands on Stojakovic when it became clear Webber would miss at least half of the regular season. Stojakovic embraced his new role easily, simply looking for a few extra shots in every game.

``Everybody has to step up and help, and I just try to be more aggressive,'' Stojakovic said. ``In some games last year, I didn't try to get my shot as much. Now, I always try to step up and help with passing and scoring. It's no big deal.''

Maybe not to Stojakovic, but his teammates are impressed with his subtle improvements.

Stojakovic is one of the NBA's best at creating space for his own jump shot, and he's been even better this season. He rarely needs even an extra step on his defender: With a pump-fake and a jab step, the 6-foot-10 forward can create enough inches of space to launch his jumpers.

``I didn't play against Larry Bird in his prime, but you'd probably have to compare him to that,'' said Doug Christie, Stojakovic's teammate for four years. ``He's the best shooter I've ever seen. When he shoots, sometimes I just catch myself watching.''

The extra defensive attention on Stojakovic has allowed Miller and Bibby to improve as well.

After frequently deferring to his teammates during his first two seasons with the Kings, Bibby has become Sacramento's second-leading scorer with more than 17 points per game. His outside shot, once considered his weakness, has been much more accurate, and he's making better than 85 percent of his free throws.

Miller has embraced the Kings' team concept with amazing speed. He averages double figures in points and rebounds while improving on the physical presence of Scot Pollard, traded to Indiana in the deal for Miller.

``Everybody knew he was good, but I don't think anybody knew he was this good,'' said guard Bobby Jackson, who's enjoying another strong season as the Kings' sixth man.

Everything is clicking for the Kings. They're averaging more than 27 assists per game with their usual superb ball movement, and their assist-to-turnover ratio is one of the highest in recent league history.

Are the Kings better off without Webber?

When he returns, Webber will take minutes away from Miller and Vlade Divac, and Stojakovic and Bibby probably will surrender a few shots per game.

Webber has resumed working out with the team, though he doesn't scrimmage. The Kings refuse to put a timetable on his return, but many expect he'll be back before the All-Star break.

And though his return could change Sacramento's chemistry, the Kings have shown it's a durable equation.

``Chris is a great player,'' Stojakovic said. ``You can't have too many great players.''

Could the Sacramento Kings be on the way to Sin City?

Apparently, Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune has insiders that say the NBA has Las Vegas lined up as a site for Michael Jordan to move a NBA franchise to.

However, with Jordan quiet and talk of Vegas trying to lure the Montreal Expos baseball team to the area, Smith speculates that the Maloofs might consider moving the Kings there if they can't get a new arena in Sacramento.