Ailene Voisin: What's up with Peja? Not his confidence

[KingKong]

The Kings should have one goal, to win. Some make it sound like their goal should be to spend the game setting up Peja. Is Peja an awesome offensive weapon? Well, yes, he CAN be, but he can also be shut down by certain defenders, unfortunately the very SAME defenders we will see in the Play Offs. What happens then?

Why do we spend our time making excuses and enabling Peja? We expect the team to rebound for him, set screens for him, make sure he gets more shots than everyone else. When do we expect Peja to take some personal responsibility?

KG, I agree with you that all that matters is the win and it doesn't matter who's taking who's shots when that is happening. However, I'm speaking of situations where Peja is simply ineffective because he can't shake off defenders. When teams face us, I feel like they concentrate on Peja the most because he is such "an awesome offensive weapon." Peja struggles during the playoffs because he is guarded even more closely, and this will continue to be the trend unless he gets some help from teammates. Sure the rest of the team can't grab a rebound for Peja, that's definately on Peja himself. But they can set picks for him to free him up when he is getting mugged by these very defenders. It only helps the team in these situatuions.

 

[Kingsgurl]

My seats are pretty close, I watch what happens OFF the ball a lot. When Peja is at his most effective, he moves constantly, comes off the screens cleanly and sharply, not giving the defender room to come with him (the team does set screens for him) Even a good screen is ineffective if not used properly. Could the team set more screens for him? Could they set better screens for him? Most definitely, BUT do we really want the team focusing MORE on what they are doing to get Peja open then on what they are doing collectively as a team? At what point does Peja take responsibilty for Peja? All I hear is people saying is 'he's just a shooter' like that absolves him of all responsibility to the other aspects of the game. I expect more from Peja than that. I EXPECT him to go for the ball when it's close to him, not watch it bounce to the opposing team. When's the last time he was on the floor for a loose ball? Scratch that, whens the last time he made a second effort for a loose ball when it appeared someone else was also going for it? He's 6'10", I do expect him to grab more boards than he is this year. He actually posted someone up last night, he has the size, and if he honed that move, he could get more shots that way. We could certainly use another guy with a post-up game. The team should do more for Peja, but isn't it a 2 way street? Shouldn't Peja himself have a burning desire to get better, to help the team in whatever way he can, even on nights when he isn't getting shots?

 

[KingKong]

You are quite right, he is more than just a shooter. Everyone was hoping that he would develop a few more weapons in his offensive repertoire this offseason, but he hasn't. It's evident Peja's lacks drive or motivation (or something) to fully develop his potential, because it is there. Maybe he will never have that "fire in the belly" to go to the next level. Peja may never be able to shake off the better defenders. That's why I say it's better to have an effective Peja taking efficient shots rather than him being inactive on the offensive end and chucking up shots while defenders are draped all over him. I'm not saying that his teammates have to be concentrating on getting Peja open all game, but rather when he is struggling against the Bowen's and Hassel's of the world, just so that he can perhaps get things going. Things like rebounding and diving for loose balls are all on Peja though, he really has no excuse for that. What about the defensive end? Do you see an improvement in that area (except for boards ofcourse)?

 

[slugking50]

My seats are pretty close, I watch what happens OFF the ball a lot. When Peja is at his most effective, he moves constantly, comes off the screens cleanly and sharply, not giving the defender room to come with him (the team does set screens for him) Even a good screen is ineffective if not used properly. Could the team set more screens for him? Could they set better screens for him? Most definitely, BUT do we really want the team focusing MORE on what they are doing to get Peja open then on what they are doing collectively as a team? At what point does Peja take responsibilty for Peja? All I hear is people saying is 'he's just a shooter' like that absolves him of all responsibility to the other aspects of the game. I expect more from Peja than that. I EXPECT him to go for the ball when it's close to him, not watch it bounce to the opposing team. When's the last time he was on the floor for a loose ball? Scratch that, whens the last time he made a second effort for a loose ball when it appeared someone else was also going for it? He's 6'10", I do expect him to grab more boards than he is this year. He actually posted someone up last night, he has the size, and if he honed that move, he could get more shots that way. We could certainly use another guy with a post-up game. The team should do more for Peja, but isn't it a 2 way street? Shouldn't Peja himself have a burning desire to get better, to help the team in whatever way he can, even on nights when he isn't getting shots?

Here-here.

 

[#1sacfan]

Hey Brick, normally I agree with you, but I have to say this - are you giving in to your own biases and being just a tad, no make that grossly - unfair to Pedja here? If I were to judge you by this posting alone I would have to say that you're "Pedja hater" (I did not say Webber homer and I am not failing for that ol' nugget - Pedja vs. Webb). There is absolutely nothing wrong with Pedja being Pedja and not being MJ. You seem to be arguing with Webber haters and Pedja boosters, instead of judgung Pedja on his own merit . Whether Pedja is the next coming of "The Great One" or just a poor man's Chris Mullin is irrelevant. He is a very valuable commodity that happens to be contractually obligated to drop those shots for Sacramento Kings. He is either a tool for the Kings to challenge for the chanpionship or a very juicy traid bait at the very worst. But what he is not is some softy Euro who just doesn't have it in him to win (especially since he has enough bling-bling to decorate every Kings' locker - and please do not underestimate winning titles abroad just because it was not beemed directly to your living room).

It should be clear by now to anyone who has ever observed a single game of basketball that Pedja either plays Pedja ball or Pedja is ineffective. Full stop. It is a simple fact that does not in any way detract from Webber or any of his teammates that Pedja is more effective when Princeton offence is compromised _not_ to go through a big guy (leaving just movement portion of the doctrine). Nothing to do with Webber, Vlade or any other teammate. Especially Vlade since he was semi retired last year if it wasn't for Brad...

Pedja is a pure shooter, plain and simple. He's game is all about "getting the ball _in front of him_" (either through cuts, movement off of the ball of any variety). If we're to start belittling him because he cannot dribble as well as Mike or rebound and have good hands as well as Webb, we might as well say that Webber would not average 5 ast. per game if his teammates didn't make the shots and Bibby wouldn't be so clutch if the team didn't keep the games close until the dieng seconds.

I cannot believe that I am the only one who is proposing that Pedja's regression this year is to do with his identity as an NBA player. Where is he to go from now? He's greatest success in NBA (last year's regular season) came at the expense of Webber injury and team's refocosing at him. Is Pedja somehow supposed to take a time travel trip back to 2003 and pick it up from there? Clearly, the next step for him is to maintain his sharp-shooter game and try to take that to the next level. I'm talking Antoiwn Walker kind of commitment to the 3-point shot. Is he doing this at the expense of the whole franchise? NO! He's main problem is (as you do indicate Brick in a different way) that he is too nice.

And let's not try to roll out that ol' nugget that Pedja is not doing enough with his talent. The same is true for anyone who played on the kings in 2002-2003. Vlade, Chris, DC - all of them. Let's make it clear - the real talent wasters in the NBA are your Jason Williams', Anoiwn Walker's, Vladimir Radmanovic's etc.

Well, I vented alright.

Great post, and aside from this - Brick is a Pedja hater so do not be suprised by any of this.

 

[Kingsgurl]

That's why I say it's better to have an effective Peja taking efficient shots rather than him being inactive on the offensive end and chucking up shots while defenders are draped all over him. I'm not saying that his teammates have to be concentrating on getting Peja open all game, but rather when he is struggling against the Bowen's and Hassel's of the world, just so that he can perhaps get things going.

Very true, I would like to see that, as well. The two hurdles the team and Peja seem to run into against those defenders are the fact that Peja doesn't get open against them, they are all over him. The pass isn't there, the team looks elsewhere, Peja grows frustrated with the holding and the fact he is working his behind off and not accomplishing anything (Peja at his best moves constantly off the ball) and will STOP moving. Again, this is where I think working that post-up move into his arsenal would pay big dividends for him. He could use his size against those two all day long. He needs to punish them back. JMO.

 

[bozzwell]

Great post, and aside from this - Brick is a Pedja hater so do not be suprised by any of this.

I don't think he is and that why I qualified. Brick is just starting to be very frustrated with Pedja. I am not.

 

[uolj]

I don't think he is and that why I qualified. Brick is just starting to be very frustrated with Pedja. I am not.

Actually, I think your long post and Bricklayer's long post are pretty much in agreement when it comes to the discussion of Peja. I happen to agree with both of you as well. I don't see where your opinions differ.

Don't infer judgement when there isn't necessarily any there. In other words, don't assume that an assessment of the situation that includes criticism necessarily means that the person who made that assessment is upset at or dislikes the target of that criticism.

The bottom line is that people like Voisin, or other Kings Fans who want to see more effectiveness from Stojakovic than we're currently seeing, should look for him to change first, before placing blame on Webber, Adelman, or anybody else.

 

[KP]

I think it's a testament to this team that they are playing .700 ball and we are all so concerned. The West is Brutal, They have to get better and they definately need to clean things up and make some adjustments if they are gonna go deep into the playoffs. However not very many of these changes need to come on the Offensive end(better screens lol). They need to play better DEFENSE and REBOUND better. Pejas defense has improved, I def think Webbs has too when you compare him to last year. But lets not single anyone player out... it's gonna take better TEAM rebounding and better TEAM defense to win a championship. As for their offense they have no real signifigant problems there, still among the tops in the league(even when Webber plays!). Whether or not that continues into the playoffs we will have to wait and see, but I think they are 1 of the best half court offenses in the league if not the best... they don't need a fast paced game to exicute and score. Defense people... Defense... did I mention Rebounding?

 

[bozzwell]

No, to be a "Peja hater" would indicate, if we were going to judge on the same scale as the "Webber haters" that I would have to discount all value Peja has to the team and simultaneously blame him for all of his teammates failings.

I do nothing of the sort. I blame Peja for PEJA'S failings, and you know what? Its long overdue.

Pointing out to Pedja's incosistency and regression this year is long overdue and you must know by now that I agree with that side of your argument. That's why I qualified my "labeling" by saying if I were to judge you by that one post... I am not suggesting even for a moment that you are Pedja hater. It is my honest opinion (garnished with whatever biases I have), that your concern with Pedja has crossed over into mild form of bashing.

 

[VF21]

As so the whole bashing thing continues.

What amazes me is that Pedja, for some reason, was totally immune to any kind of criticism - constructive or otherwise - for so long. Virtually every other player on the team was loudly criticized when they didn't perform as expected. (I won't include anything said - justified or not - about Chris Webber.)

Pedja is a shooter. He's very good at it and a true joy to watch when he's on. But he's also a small forward on a top elite team. He needs to be much more than a small forward. I won't speak for anyone else, but I have become very tired of all the special treatment Pedja has received by a small but vocal contingent of fans who seem to feel he can be excused for any lack of production, or even better - the blame for his poor performance can be shifted to Webber, or Cat, or whomever.

I already quoted the one paragraph of AV's article that I think says it all. The time for Pedja to step up is NOW. Every excuse in the world aside, HE is the only one who can make a difference. If he puts up, everyone criticizing him will shut up.

Bricklayer isn't IMHO bashing Pedja. He's pointing out the truth. If it was anyone but Pedja, there wouldn't be any kind of outcry. If the emperor isn't wearing clothes, it shouldn't matter who points it out. The point isn't who says it - it's what's being said and I think Bricklayer has consistently made very good assessments of Pedja.

 

[bozzwell]

Bricklayer isn't IMHO bashing Pedja. He's pointing out the truth. If it was anyone but Pedja, there wouldn't be any kind of outcry. If the emperor isn't wearing clothes, it shouldn't matter who points it out. The point isn't who says it - it's what's being said and I think Bricklayer has consistently made very good assessments of Pedja.

That is why I made concious effort to qualify my statements and predicate "bashing" with "mild form". What really got to me was that it was Brick not necesserally what he was writing. Webber haters and other player haters are usually easy for me to iggore because their words damn them more then any response I could come up with. Brick is a very astute basketball analyst on this forum and that is why I felt that his posting was harsh and that my response was appropriate.

In the interest of the whole kingsfans.com family I will make a special effort to activelhy pursue real Webber haters from now on.