Slava Medvedenko

Stanislav "Slava" Medvedenko (Ukrainian: Станіслав "Слава" Медведенко, born April 4, 1979) is a Ukrainian former professional basketball player, who last played with the Atlanta Hawks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association. His position was power forward. He was born in Karapyshi, Kiev Oblast, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR

NBA Career

Medvedenko, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000, is known for his shoot-first mentality. His shooting technique and skill have never been in doubt, but his work ethic and defense were far behind his offensive skills in his early career (much to the ire of sports commentators, especially Stephen A. Smith).

The 2003–04 season was his breakout year, as Karl Malone injured his knee and Medvedenko started the majority of games. As such, his scoring and rebounding averages doubled and he was no longer seen as a liability in the fans' eyes. Unfortunately, an injury kept him out of the 2004 pre-season and he dropped down the depth chart, unable to find his way back into the lineup under Rudy Tomjanovich. With Phil Jackson's return to the Lakers, there was hope that Medvedenko would play a greater role due to his experience with the triangle offense. However, due to a herniated disc in his lower back that required surgery, he missed almost the entire 2006 season. He was waived at the beginning of March 2006, to clear roster space to enable the Lakers to sign guard Jim Jackson.