Anyone remember in the playoffs last year...

[Zyphen]

I am very sorry if you take my comments for bashing. The truth is, unfortunately for me at least, that I don't currently have much faith in Pedja to put it all out on the line when it counts the most.

It that makes me a basher in your eyes, then I guess we'll just have to live with that.

It was PEDJA who announced that he no longer wanted to be a King. He made it apparent he would rather be traded anywhere than to say with the Kings. Well, as a Kings fan since the beginning, that irritated me more than a little. I love this team - and I cheer for anyone who wears the uniform. It would be nice, however, if the person I've invested my support in at least wanted to be here.

This season - not last year or the year before or the year before that - Pedja isn't hitting many shots. His percentages are down; his enthusiasm seems down; he has actually PASSED the ball away on several occasions rather than take the clutch shot.

So, is it bashing if I come out and honestly say that I, longtime Kings fan, would feel better if someone else took the critical shot at the critical juncture? I don't think so.

There's a difference between honestly criticizing someone and bashing them. Anyone who has been on this board for any amount of time can tell you how often I've remarked in the past about the beauty of Pedja's unorthodox shot, how I've marveled about the poetry in motion as the ball goes high in the air and comes back down, touching nothing but net.

This isn't about Pedja vs. Webber. Or Pedja vs. any other Kings player. If anything, it's about Pedja vs. Pedja. I would LOVE to see him get back to being one of the top shooters in the league. Why wouldn't I? He's a Sacramento King. I am not going to root for any of our players to do poorly. That's just silly.

I am not going to amend anything I said in the previous post because that would be hypocritical. The Pedja we've seen so far this year has improved greatly on defense, but he's missing easy lay-ups, he's passing up shots, he's acting like his head just isn't in his game.

If it's because of the back problems, then I hope he gets well quickly. We need Pedja - we need him focused, we need him ready AND willing to take the pressure and the clutch shot. Right now, I wouldn't take a chance on putting the ball in his hands at that juncture. But I'm not the one drawing up the plays. Adelman will do that, and if he has faith in Pedja to take AND make that shot, then you won't hear anything from me.

..... Complete 180 from couple months ago. You were ripping people who even hinted that Peja might still want a trade and cited numerous times how you had "sources". The local media people have the inside scoop on his feelings about the trade, which weren't getting publicized. Yet here, you refer to his comments in the summer, unless he's repeated them recently?

I am surprised about 2 things: the sudden turnaround and my account still being active (found that out a while ago though). Before I had first started posting and just lurked, I've seen people banned for less but I guess maybe they just stopped posting like I did. I wasn't sure if I was going to post again, but this one just caught my eye. Do you have new information I'm not privy to from my location here at UVA? Some insider or close up view of Peja's body language? Not just trying to make a dig here, I'm genuinely curious. I thought I had you pegged as pretty much unwavering on the issue. Maybe you're just overcompensating against Peja critics or supporters. But, I'd be really interested to know if there was something specific to trigger this. That post above could pretty much come from me in December. I loved Peja before this season.

 

[albeitrue]

The style of his shot is the reason why his shot isn't block as often then if he had a traditional shooting form.He has what Bird had a behind the head unblockable stroke which is cool because he can get the shot off with no room really He always has Big fly swatter hands in his face on the regular on his 3's alot of the time he is smothered when he hits shots but no one wants to mention this.But his shooting form is not the reason why defenders bother him.He gets mugged alot grabbed and held on constantly moving through picks and screens.He also doesn't get enough isolation plays called for him to use his ball handleing abilty.He can put the ball on the floor which people seemed to not understand.You must realize you have 10 guys on the floor who are at the average height of 6'7 6'8 if we were as fans of the game to be able to experience being out on that floor in peja's body or regualr by stander we would understand that it isn't that much room to operate from jump.This is why there was talk and still is to widen the lanes and expand the tiny area in the corner three point regions to open more free lance play.This is also the reason defensive TEAMS for the past 10 to 12 seasons have dominated NBA play.It is real easy for defenders to clogg the lanes jump the little guys and smother the passing lane because of the lack of space that the OFFENSE has to work with.Peja can handle the ball but he doesn't get the ball in isolation spots on teh floor and this due to the high post offense were the 4 and 5 spots dictate the offensive flow.If he were to get the ball in some clear out or soft spot areas on the floor then we would see a different peja and we would see his ball handleing skills at work.


But presently we see a peja get the ball in last second shot clock activity and in congested offensive spots which we see turn overs and lack of ball handleing executions.Peja is the 3rd best ball handler on the starting 5 3rd behind mike bibby and cuttino.Webber is a good dribbler for a #4 player but the difference in webber creating his own shot versus peja is the soft spots webber gets the basketball and then webber has more confidence to take the ball to the hole.But his dribble drives are suspect and he looses the handle alot but the difference he will keep taking the ball regardless of a TO or sloppy play.peja's problem is confidence and the coaching staff don't give him soft spots to use his handle.

Larry bird had a similar game to peja and bird only used one hand on the handle.But this is all he needed some times you only need a little space to work and this can be done with one jab step or a dribble to the left and one dribble back to your strong hand to get a high percentage shot off.Bird knew the soft spots and exposed his defender by using them.Peja must learn the soft areas and the only way he will learn is with oppurtunity and he has to want the ball more.He doesn't need to be kobe or mcgrady off the dribble.He can do just the same or be just as efficent.He has the size he has the bulk and shooting touch to tear defenders apart.He has dribble people but he has to find the spots on the floor and the coaching stafff should isolate him more,Because he is the type of player like Bird who can put a defender in triple threat.Which is pass when they rush and jump you,use your height when you are isolated and don't allow those little dudes to body you when you back them down.Watch bird be bird when you post up.Bird had the mind of a killer on court and domique wilkins saw this,kareem saw this kareem said after gane 4 celtics and lakers that he thought that larry would have killed for that game that the celtic took in game 4.Bird wasn't going to allow a littl bony dude to body him up or anyone else for the matter.Peja must do the same in the post he must stand up straighter with his fall away's to command the space.He has the skills but he must execute it on the floor.

Shaka your posts are always insightful (well, except for the referee conspiracy theories). I nearly always find something that I have observed myself (in bold above) and always learn a lot about the game from your ability to communicate, just want to say "THANKS"!

 

[VF21]

..... Complete 180 from couple months ago. You were ripping people who even hinted that Peja might still want a trade and cited numerous times how you had "sources". The local media people have the inside scoop on his feelings about the trade, which weren't getting publicized. Yet here, you refer to his comments in the summer, unless he's repeated them recently?

I am surprised about 2 things: the sudden turnaround and my account still being active (found that out a while ago though). Before I had first started posting and just lurked, I've seen people banned for less but I guess maybe they just stopped posting like I did. I wasn't sure if I was going to post again, but this one just caught my eye. Do you have new information I'm not privy to from my location here at UVA? Some insider or close up view of Peja's body language? Not just trying to make a dig here, I'm genuinely curious. I thought I had you pegged as pretty much unwavering on the issue. Maybe you're just overcompensating against Peja critics or supporters. But, I'd be really interested to know if there was something specific to trigger this. That post above could pretty much come from me in December. I loved Peja before this season.

No, my position has not wavered. I still resent the fact that Pedja, for whatever reason, hurt the KINGS by making his demands for a trade public. But I'm not carrying a big grudge about it. I'm being honest in that I haven't quite forgiven him. Sorry, but I'm human and that's how I feel.

I am and always have been a KINGS fan first. Pedja wears the uniform; he deserves to be cheered and supported - at least by me - as long as that is the case. There is a lot about Pedja I like, but he's not immune to criticism. For far too long, people treated him with kid gloves IMHO doing him and everyone else on the team a disfavor.

A large number of Serbian fans came to this website when Pedja became part of the team. For them, it's all about Pedja and just Pedja. This site is not named Pedjafans.com It's KINGSFANS.com I support the entire team, including Pedja. I just wish the people who are here as player fans could at least be objective instead of almost always turning any criticism of Pedja away from him and back to one of the other players, generally Webber.

If there's something about my posts you are truly puzzled about, be specific. Bottom line, the key to understanding where I come from is that - for me, at least - the KINGS come first.

As far as your account goes, if you have questions for me as a moderator please take them to PMs.

 

[Zyphen]

Zyphen - Your "more candid interviews with Serbian media" notwithstanding, I have reliable information - current information, not dated like the interviews - that says Pedja is NO LONGER pursuing the idea of being traded from the Kings.



You are in Virginia. I am in California, and know quite a few people who deal with the Kings first-hand, second-hand, etc. I have been to a couple of games already this year, and have seen the difference in Pedja between the pre-season and now. He is HAPPY - he is playing within the team and he is enjoying his time off the court. You are being the skeptic - and from a long way away - based only on some interviews given to Serbian media at some time in the past.



Our LOCAL media people (who deal with the team on a DAILY basis up close and personal) have said, for the most part, that they feel Pedja will simply let the matter die without retracting his statement. That is a wise thing to do, since a retraction would only lead to "But why did you say it in the first place?" type questions. The media are a pushy lot.

That was directly from you on December 12th. You go on to say in later posts that what you state is fact. If that's not specific enough, then my question is simply this: How do you reconcile your posts today with that one above and say your position has not wavered? I don't mean your position on supporting the team. That is assumed and I never would suggest booing Peja since that hurts the team. I was more angry at how some so-called fans still propped him up at the expense of the team and wanted him to be the go-to guy every play. I felt it was ludicrous considering he just asked for a trade and never was that type of player to begin with.

Back to the point. I am talking about your position on Peja wanting a trade. You were so incredibly certain just 2 months ago that he has absolutely no wish to go. I was thinking that either A: you really had some insider info that would come out in a month or two to the public or B: you're overcompensating against criticism. I'm puzzled also because of the sentiments you express about Peja-fans and how Peja is babied. These are remarkably similar to mine in December. I'd be pretty surprised if we were actually in agreement all this time and you just took your position because you felt it was your duty to support any Kings player. Hey, I agree with supporting any Kings player on the court. I don't care how much people hate Webb, you're a jackass if you boo him on his own floor. But on a message board, why not be more candid all the time. Is Peja looking over your shoulder? Or are these not your true opinions and you're just lashing out at the Peja homers?

 

[VF21]

Zypehn - Sorry, but I am so not going to dig back through a plethora of posts to try and defend something I don't think needs defending. Quite frankly, I don't care if you don't believe me or if you think my takes are inconsistent. If that's your belief, more power to you.

If I remember correctly, my main point was that people outside of the area aren't able to attend the games, view the players in person, talk directly to people who deal with the players on a daily basis, etc.

I stand by my belief, based on a lot of different factors, that Pedja is not longer actively pursuing the idea of being traded from the Kings. If you have EVIDENCE to the contrary, please share it.

The key in my opinion is ACTIVELY pursuing. He may still be unhappy but if he is, he's really hiding it well. He doesn't look that unhappy during the games. Recent events notwithstanding (meaning his back problems), he's been appearing to have a pretty good time.

Why not be more candid? Dude, the only way I could be more candid is if I took out an ad in the New York Times. Unfortunately, my finances won't allow it.

Am I mad at Pedja? No. Am I disappointed about how he chose to attempt to force the Kings into trading him? Hell yes. Am I disappointed that he hasn't seemed to want to step up his game to the level I believe he just might be able to reach? Yep again. Am I tired of the Pedja-fans (not everyone, BTW) who cannot believe he should be subjected to criticism because nothing is his fault? Oh, God yes.

I cannot prove but I do still firmly believe that Pedja may be changing his mind about wanting out of Sacramento. If not, fine. Petrie will do what best serves the Kings. In this, Pedja should be very careful what he wishes for. If he has changed his mind and wants to stay, I'll be very happy.

Can we stop now? I'm giving myself a headache.

 

[KP]

I think he may still seek a trade in 2006... but he doesn't look downright unhappy(see minnesota timber-wolves). His numbers are a little down but he's gotten better since the start of the year and I def think he's gonna find his stride. He's still a real good player on a real good team, maiking real good money...and have you seen his woman? How could he possibly be unhappy...