http://mtsmondo.com/sport/vesti/story.php?vest=39803
This is an interview from Serbian site but I am here to translate
Stojakovic:"Chemistry from the Kings can't be repeated!"
monday 11th December 2006.
One of the best European players ever in NBA,3 times all star,2 times 3 point shootout champion and 4th overal shooter from the free throw line in NBA history,who also has gold medals with Serbian NT from Turkey and Indianapolis doesn't give interviews so often,especially not to Serbian sites.However,Mondo found Peja in his hotel room in Seatle where his team New Orleans was playing against Seatle.
After he spent 8 years in Sacramento and one half season in Indiana jersey he became free agent.He was expected to resign with Pacers but he signed surprisingly good contract worth 65 million $ with "small" New Orleans.
I must say that I am satisfied with this summer in my carrer.Contract is important in every sport but it's not the most important thing!It's very important with who are you gonna play and who is gonna be your coach.I thought New Orleans were good organisation,young and talented roster with Paul as a leader.On the other hand there was Byron Scot,coach who proved himself.And I have to say that I think I made right desicion,everything is great so far,except injury of course.
However,Peja started this season "slowly".His statistics from Kings fell down before he mannaged to score 42 points-carrer high against Bobcats in November.He was also clutch in few games before injury.After that game vs. Bobcats he got injured with back spasms again so now he travels with the team,but he is resting.
I feel better,but it's hard to say when will I return on the court.I won't rush into anything cuz' this kind of injury is pretty complicated.Like I said,it's good now,but I don't want to take any risks.
New Orleans won against LA even though Peja wasn't playing.
Guys had good game even though beside me West and B-Jax are injured too.We are going into the right direction.
We asked him about his team ambitions.They have score 9-9 which is enough (just) for 9th position on the West.
Season is very long over here.On the other hand western conference is crazy,much stronger than eastern and you can't say whether you're going to make Playoffs or not by your recent score.I think we can make it(playoffs) if we stay out of injuries.Our schedule is good.I think we have 22 away games of first 30,so if we stay on 50% after that series of games we will have easier job after All-star.I believe we can mannage to reach Playoffs.
He couldn't help Indiana in playoffs because of injury last year.As for the trade from Sacramento,he is still positive.
I think of that as a part of NBA life.It's weird cuz' you get bonded to some team,city,fans and then BOOM-you're traded.When you feel 100% secure they trade you...haha...Players don't have any control of that.But you have to be ready for it.Kings needed change,but honestly I needed change too.Everything worked well.
Kings had that magic generation of Vlade,Peja,C-Webb,Bibby,Hedo...that was the team that played the most beautiful basketball in the world.They had that chemistry on and off the court and that's why they got so many fans from all over the world.Mainly in Serbia where lot of people were spending their nights watching Kings on TV.Are you still in touch with your ex team mates?
Of course we are still friends and we're in touch.I hear a lot from Vlade,then Doug who is retired now,with Webber who is in Philly,Mike and Brad who are only left in Sacramento from that team...What we had in Sacramento on and off the court...it's very hard to understand.I think it happens once during life time.We had our chance,but unfortunately we didn't mannage to become a champions and it was about time to make changes.
Is he going to take the lead of new formed Serbian National team in Spain next year when European championship is scheduled?Is there any chance that we are going to see Peja alongside with Milicic and Krstic?
I don't think about national team yet.I always want to cooperate,but right now I am focused on my team and my injury.
Of course there is a chance of playing for Serbia next year.When the time comes I'll speak with coach Sakota and give him my answer.You know very well what happened before,we'll see if there is going to be some people's ego again or we are going to focus on some important things.
There is also a short part of interview which is about Peja's former club Red Star,but I didn't translate that.
This is an interview from Serbian site but I am here to translate
Stojakovic:"Chemistry from the Kings can't be repeated!"
monday 11th December 2006.
One of the best European players ever in NBA,3 times all star,2 times 3 point shootout champion and 4th overal shooter from the free throw line in NBA history,who also has gold medals with Serbian NT from Turkey and Indianapolis doesn't give interviews so often,especially not to Serbian sites.However,Mondo found Peja in his hotel room in Seatle where his team New Orleans was playing against Seatle.
After he spent 8 years in Sacramento and one half season in Indiana jersey he became free agent.He was expected to resign with Pacers but he signed surprisingly good contract worth 65 million $ with "small" New Orleans.
I must say that I am satisfied with this summer in my carrer.Contract is important in every sport but it's not the most important thing!It's very important with who are you gonna play and who is gonna be your coach.I thought New Orleans were good organisation,young and talented roster with Paul as a leader.On the other hand there was Byron Scot,coach who proved himself.And I have to say that I think I made right desicion,everything is great so far,except injury of course.
However,Peja started this season "slowly".His statistics from Kings fell down before he mannaged to score 42 points-carrer high against Bobcats in November.He was also clutch in few games before injury.After that game vs. Bobcats he got injured with back spasms again so now he travels with the team,but he is resting.
I feel better,but it's hard to say when will I return on the court.I won't rush into anything cuz' this kind of injury is pretty complicated.Like I said,it's good now,but I don't want to take any risks.
New Orleans won against LA even though Peja wasn't playing.
Guys had good game even though beside me West and B-Jax are injured too.We are going into the right direction.
We asked him about his team ambitions.They have score 9-9 which is enough (just) for 9th position on the West.
Season is very long over here.On the other hand western conference is crazy,much stronger than eastern and you can't say whether you're going to make Playoffs or not by your recent score.I think we can make it(playoffs) if we stay out of injuries.Our schedule is good.I think we have 22 away games of first 30,so if we stay on 50% after that series of games we will have easier job after All-star.I believe we can mannage to reach Playoffs.
He couldn't help Indiana in playoffs because of injury last year.As for the trade from Sacramento,he is still positive.
I think of that as a part of NBA life.It's weird cuz' you get bonded to some team,city,fans and then BOOM-you're traded.When you feel 100% secure they trade you...haha...Players don't have any control of that.But you have to be ready for it.Kings needed change,but honestly I needed change too.Everything worked well.
Kings had that magic generation of Vlade,Peja,C-Webb,Bibby,Hedo...that was the team that played the most beautiful basketball in the world.They had that chemistry on and off the court and that's why they got so many fans from all over the world.Mainly in Serbia where lot of people were spending their nights watching Kings on TV.Are you still in touch with your ex team mates?
Of course we are still friends and we're in touch.I hear a lot from Vlade,then Doug who is retired now,with Webber who is in Philly,Mike and Brad who are only left in Sacramento from that team...What we had in Sacramento on and off the court...it's very hard to understand.I think it happens once during life time.We had our chance,but unfortunately we didn't mannage to become a champions and it was about time to make changes.
Is he going to take the lead of new formed Serbian National team in Spain next year when European championship is scheduled?Is there any chance that we are going to see Peja alongside with Milicic and Krstic?
I don't think about national team yet.I always want to cooperate,but right now I am focused on my team and my injury.
Of course there is a chance of playing for Serbia next year.When the time comes I'll speak with coach Sakota and give him my answer.You know very well what happened before,we'll see if there is going to be some people's ego again or we are going to focus on some important things.
There is also a short part of interview which is about Peja's former club Red Star,but I didn't translate that.
