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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12451945p-13308084c.html
Ailene Voisin: Trade puts focus back on Stojakovic
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, February 25, 2005
He heard the speculation and suspected something was imminent. He prepped himself for a trade. His trade.
Now that he remains a King?
Now comes the pressure.
Now comes time for the proof.
Peja Stojakovic resumes a familiar role - that of primary scorer - while confronting an entirely new reality. Circumstances have changed. Expectations have risen. With Chris Webber sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in a daring six-player swap Wednesday, the Kings again figure to become an entertaining ensemble, with heightened responsibility bestowed upon Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and, in particular, Stojakovic.
Peja has to regain his health. And his swagger. And his playful nature. He has to be the Peja of 2003-04, the enthusiastic small forward who, a year ago at this time, was the league's second-leading scorer and a legitimate MVP candidate. He was that prolific, that consistent. How soon we forget.
Utilizing his full 6-foot-10 frame, deceptive quickness, unique scoring abilities and passion for moving without the ball, he eased into the role of legitimate star, was on the cusp of joining the NBA elite.
His three-pointers kissed the nets. His backdoor cuts off passes from Miller and Vlade Divac were textbook. His energy was infectious. His joyous attitude was contagious. His rebounding and defense were more than adequate. Most importantly, the seventh-year pro was involved and engaged, eager for the ball and opportunities for the deciding shots.
Yet he changed when the Kings changed, his declining production coinciding with Webber's return last March following a 58-game absence. With Webber supplanting Divac and Miller at the high post, once again the dominant decision-maker who determined when to pass, when to shoot, whom to feature, Stojakovic was virtually ignored, his skills essentially wasted.
Compounded by injuries and the same old routine, Peja's troubles persisted for much of the current season. Webber remained the ruler, Peja the conquered, compliant to the end. No news flash there. The former teammates enjoy each other as people; they just couldn't get it together on the court.
"Peja is a player who receives the ball," one NBA head coach said recently after a game at Arco Arena, "which means he has to rely on teammates to find him. That's one reason I wasn't sold on the (Doug) Christie trade. Christie always made sure Peja received the ball where he was most effective. You can't score if teammates don't give you the ball."
But now?
No more explanations. No more excuses. No more excluding Peja, or Peja allowing himself to be excluded. He is 27, no longer the wide-eyed youngster from Serbia who idolized Webber from afar.
Considerable intrigue about these Kings remains, of course: How will Bibby react to the departure of his close friend? How will Corliss Williamson feel about returning as a reserve? What will newcomers Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner contribute?
Yet in another sense, this Kings puzzle is ridiculously simple. For the Kings to evolve into an effective collaborative effort, a team that competes aggressively in the closing weeks of the season, Bibby has to become a more assertive floor leader who utilizes his full complement of playmaking skills. Miller has to temper his outbursts and resume his role as a skillful high post center with the improving low-post game. The ball has to move. The players have to rebound and defend en masse. And now that he's still here, no longer forced to fight for his shots, no longer interested in leaving, Peja has to be Peja.
"He thinks he is having a bad year, but he's not," Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said. "I think he's got to get past that."
Contrary to the rumors, Petrie said he had no intention of trading his small forward. Members of the front office and coaching staff instead firmly believe that Webber's departure will enable the three-time All-Star to flourish, to move forward.
The entire dynamic has shifted.
The Webber era - in a shocker - is over.
"You never know in this business," Stojakovic said from Dallas, "but I thought it was going to be me. Now we have to see how this group of guys is going to play. Obviously ... I have been playing with Chris for seven years. He was great for the Kings. But that's our life." Now his life changes too, his reputation to be enhanced or diminished. He doesn't have to be an MVP. He doesn't possess those types of skills. But he has to be the old Peja, the fearless scorer, the peerless shooter. He has to be special. He has to be that.
Ailene Voisin: Trade puts focus back on Stojakovic
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, February 25, 2005
He heard the speculation and suspected something was imminent. He prepped himself for a trade. His trade.
Now that he remains a King?
Now comes the pressure.
Now comes time for the proof.
Peja Stojakovic resumes a familiar role - that of primary scorer - while confronting an entirely new reality. Circumstances have changed. Expectations have risen. With Chris Webber sent to the Philadelphia 76ers in a daring six-player swap Wednesday, the Kings again figure to become an entertaining ensemble, with heightened responsibility bestowed upon Mike Bibby, Brad Miller and, in particular, Stojakovic.
Peja has to regain his health. And his swagger. And his playful nature. He has to be the Peja of 2003-04, the enthusiastic small forward who, a year ago at this time, was the league's second-leading scorer and a legitimate MVP candidate. He was that prolific, that consistent. How soon we forget.
Utilizing his full 6-foot-10 frame, deceptive quickness, unique scoring abilities and passion for moving without the ball, he eased into the role of legitimate star, was on the cusp of joining the NBA elite.
His three-pointers kissed the nets. His backdoor cuts off passes from Miller and Vlade Divac were textbook. His energy was infectious. His joyous attitude was contagious. His rebounding and defense were more than adequate. Most importantly, the seventh-year pro was involved and engaged, eager for the ball and opportunities for the deciding shots.
Yet he changed when the Kings changed, his declining production coinciding with Webber's return last March following a 58-game absence. With Webber supplanting Divac and Miller at the high post, once again the dominant decision-maker who determined when to pass, when to shoot, whom to feature, Stojakovic was virtually ignored, his skills essentially wasted.
Compounded by injuries and the same old routine, Peja's troubles persisted for much of the current season. Webber remained the ruler, Peja the conquered, compliant to the end. No news flash there. The former teammates enjoy each other as people; they just couldn't get it together on the court.
"Peja is a player who receives the ball," one NBA head coach said recently after a game at Arco Arena, "which means he has to rely on teammates to find him. That's one reason I wasn't sold on the (Doug) Christie trade. Christie always made sure Peja received the ball where he was most effective. You can't score if teammates don't give you the ball."
But now?
No more explanations. No more excuses. No more excluding Peja, or Peja allowing himself to be excluded. He is 27, no longer the wide-eyed youngster from Serbia who idolized Webber from afar.
Considerable intrigue about these Kings remains, of course: How will Bibby react to the departure of his close friend? How will Corliss Williamson feel about returning as a reserve? What will newcomers Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner contribute?
Yet in another sense, this Kings puzzle is ridiculously simple. For the Kings to evolve into an effective collaborative effort, a team that competes aggressively in the closing weeks of the season, Bibby has to become a more assertive floor leader who utilizes his full complement of playmaking skills. Miller has to temper his outbursts and resume his role as a skillful high post center with the improving low-post game. The ball has to move. The players have to rebound and defend en masse. And now that he's still here, no longer forced to fight for his shots, no longer interested in leaving, Peja has to be Peja.
"He thinks he is having a bad year, but he's not," Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said. "I think he's got to get past that."
Contrary to the rumors, Petrie said he had no intention of trading his small forward. Members of the front office and coaching staff instead firmly believe that Webber's departure will enable the three-time All-Star to flourish, to move forward.
The entire dynamic has shifted.
The Webber era - in a shocker - is over.
"You never know in this business," Stojakovic said from Dallas, "but I thought it was going to be me. Now we have to see how this group of guys is going to play. Obviously ... I have been playing with Chris for seven years. He was great for the Kings. But that's our life." Now his life changes too, his reputation to be enhanced or diminished. He doesn't have to be an MVP. He doesn't possess those types of skills. But he has to be the old Peja, the fearless scorer, the peerless shooter. He has to be special. He has to be that.
.
