Image via Complex Original
Terrycloth Soft: Sasha Vujacic's Biggest Laker Fails
This week, Laker guard/whipping boy Sasha Vujacic, was traded to the Brooklyn New Yorkers New Jersey Nets in exchange for one of the NBA's most washed-up players, Joe Smith (damn, that's homie's 12th team). L.A.’s been good to Sasha—it’s brought him a couple rings, millions of dollars, and a badass fiancee in Maria Sharapova. However, it hasn’t all been glitz and glam for Vujabitch—from being screamed on and pushed around by his teammates to even being choked by opponents, dude has had his share of embarrassing moments. So, before the Slovenian scrub makes his Nets debut tonight and slips into the abyss of irrelevance in New Jersey, check out Sasha Vujacic's 10 Biggest Laker Fails...
10. Mbenga and Odom Tell Sasha to STFU
DATE: 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Whether you were a five-time NBA champ like Mamba, or a scrub averaging eight minutes a game like D.J. Mbenga—every Laker got a chance to ride on Sasha. Lamar Odom even chimed in for no apparent reason—think dude pops off like that at home? Nah, we all know Khloe holds mad weight. Literally.
9. Air Ball Swag
DATE: 12/23/2008
COMPLEX SAYS: After getting a very lucky bounce on a three-pointer, Vujacic was in the building and feeling himself (R.I.P Mac Dre). Too bad that extra bit of swag led to him air-balling a wide-open jumper moments later. "He needed the rim on that one." PAUSE.
8. Kobe Mocks Sasha's Locks
DATE: 10/21/2008
COMPLEX SAYS: Sasha's hair and wimpy headband were the subject of much attention and (deserved) ridicule during his time in L.A. So, it was no surprise when Mamba made fun of him for his bitchmade mane. Think Sasha and Maria Sharapova hit it off by sharing grooming tips?
7. Sasha Tries to Get Gully with A.I.
DATE: 11/11/2005
COMPLEX SAYS: Where can a soft Euro import build up the bravado to challenge one of the toughest to ever play in the league? The NBA, where amazing happens. Good thing Ashton Kutcher was there to break it up.
6. Sasha Elbows Goran Dragic
DATE: 5/29/2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Magic vs. Bird, Kobe vs. LeBron...Vujacic vs. Dragic? Yup. During the Western Conference Finals, the Slovenians' heated rivalry boiled over with this confrontation. Speaking on their conflict, Dragic said: "Every game, he pressures me so hard and I try to penetrate. I would say it is personal." Yeah, that sounds...personal.
5. "Give me the fucking ball!"
YEAR: 10/26/2006
COMPLEX SAYS: During a preseason game, a teenage Andrew Bynum barked at Sasha Vujacic for not passing the ball down low. Nothing like a rookie sonning a veteran.
4. Sasha Peeps Into the Cavs' Huddle
DATE: 1/26/2008
COMPLEX SAYS: We know the Zen master was the one behind this cheating tactic, but is there really any other player in the league more fit for the role than Vujabitch? We didn't think so. Love how Van Gundy basically calls for a hit on Sasha.
3. Carmelo Anthony Chokes Sasha Vujacic
YEAR: 11/30/2007
COMPLEX SAYS: Vujacic is known for his scrappy and sometimes dirty defense—such tactics led Carmelo Anthony to put his hands on the Slovenian. This wouldn't be the last time Melo would feel like choking a bitch out, word to Kat Stacks.
2. Chest Bump Fail
YEAR: 11/11/2008
COMPLEX SAYS: As much as his teammates ride him, we can't knock Vujacic for wanting to build camaraderie. But c'mon fam, how do you turn a celebration into a fail? Oh wait, we know all about the history of those.
1. Ray Allen Sons Sasha During the '08 Finals
YEAR: 6/12/2008
COMPLEX SAYS: During Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals, Jesus Shuttlesworth styled on Vujacic, giving the Celtics a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. If you thought Sasha's D was the softest part of that clip, peep him shedding tears on the bench at the 34-second mark. Yup, that's how you turn a fail into an EPIC FAIL.