EmKingsFan4
Starter
Ailene Voisin: Kings wait for Peja to show
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, March 14, 2005
The year-long slide of Peja Stojakovic continues, interrupted only occasionally by the flashbacks, by those 2003-04 memories suddenly posing as a mirage. The outbursts of three-pointers and dunks in transition, the timely steals and muscular rebounds during critical sequences, and the impassioned, exuberant performances that characterized the Kings' absolutely delightful share-the-ball, share-the-accolades approach to the job.
For a while there - for the better part of last season, in fact - the news at 11 was a replay.
The ball moves. The Kings win. Peja scores.
Peja scores ... Peja defends ... Peja rebounds ...
In his sixth season, Stojakovic was an emerging all-purpose threat, seemingly on the cusp of becoming someone special. The All-Star Game was a lock, the long-distance contest his to lose, the chatter about his MVP candidacy legitimate, even though it says here, much too premature. No longer the physically intimidated, if gifted youngster from Greece, he chased loose balls, pursued long rebounds, attacked the basket with an expanding array of spinning, twisting reverse layups, and when necessary, absorbed the hit.
Was it all so long ago?
Was it only a year ago?
But now, and for a variety of reasons, the veteran small forward is searching for a map of the comeback trail, with four weeks and a playoff to turn around a season, to kick-start a still young career.
Without digressing too deeply into the dark and stormy postseason and offseason of the recent past, Stojakovic's struggles are attributable to three main factors: the erosion of offensive continuity and crisp ball movement that occurred when Chris Webber returned last March, then persisted into the current season, reducing Peja's touches and scoring opportunities; nagging back and hamstring strains that have yet to completely heal following a combined 11-game injury absence; and a non-confrontational personality that causes him to withdraw rather than stage a counter-offensive.
In other words, he would rather fit in than fight. His preference was to caress those beautiful passes from Vlade Divac, Doug Christie and Brad Miller, his comfort zone more consistent with being a recipient than an initiator. In a sense he was spoiled, spoonfed by three superior, creative and generous passers, among them the greatest passing center of his era. But Divac is gone, Christie is gone, and Miller is gone for the next four to six weeks, which means that Peja has to adjust, has to grow up, has to find other ways to earn a living.
He has to sprint for 94, making himself a more visible target. He has to cut underneath, utilizing his considerable strength and quickness when coming off screens. He has to go get the ball, set some screens, provide opportunities for others and for himself. And he has to remain active throughout, exploiting that sturdy, 6-foot-10 muscled physique of his, certainly collecting more rebounds than he did these past two games (three boards in 79 minutes).
"Yeah, I have to be more aggressive," said Stojakovic, nodding, after the streaking Houston Rockets had exposed the Kings on the perimeter and on the boards. "Especially I have to rebound better. That's an effort thing. You can't just wait for the ball to come to you, and I have been doing that. But I am starting to get my conditioning back, and feeling stronger on the court. When you're hurt, you can't practice, and you get tired on the court. I think it's starting to come back for me."
Sunday, there were at least a few reasons for optimism. Two days after one of the worst performances of his career - a six-point, one-rebound, one-assist outing against the Los Angeles Clippers - and a week after blowing four layups against the Detroit Pistons, Stojakovic responded with a lively opening half. This was more like Peja, more like the old Peja.
While Mike Bibby was enduring one of his rare off-days from the perimeter, Stojakovic stroked three quick threes, scored on the break, found open teammates with three assists, asserted himself and became more than just a decoy waiting on the wings, waving for the ball.
And perhaps for the first time since returning from his most recent injury absence (hamstring), he didn't move like he was hurt. Or afraid of getting hurt. He wasn't timid against the Rockets, which should only work to his benefit; otherwise, newcomers Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas will devour his minutes.
"We've just got to get Peja to have faith in himself again," assistant Pete Carril said thoughtfully. "Start moving. Running the floor. Getting his body in there, in tough situations. Regain his confidence. All the stuff that can be suggested, but only one man can do anything about."
Peja knows what he can do, and of course, so does everyone else.
Why not now? If not now, when?
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12561204p-13416299c.html
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, March 14, 2005
The year-long slide of Peja Stojakovic continues, interrupted only occasionally by the flashbacks, by those 2003-04 memories suddenly posing as a mirage. The outbursts of three-pointers and dunks in transition, the timely steals and muscular rebounds during critical sequences, and the impassioned, exuberant performances that characterized the Kings' absolutely delightful share-the-ball, share-the-accolades approach to the job.
For a while there - for the better part of last season, in fact - the news at 11 was a replay.
The ball moves. The Kings win. Peja scores.
Peja scores ... Peja defends ... Peja rebounds ...
In his sixth season, Stojakovic was an emerging all-purpose threat, seemingly on the cusp of becoming someone special. The All-Star Game was a lock, the long-distance contest his to lose, the chatter about his MVP candidacy legitimate, even though it says here, much too premature. No longer the physically intimidated, if gifted youngster from Greece, he chased loose balls, pursued long rebounds, attacked the basket with an expanding array of spinning, twisting reverse layups, and when necessary, absorbed the hit.
Was it all so long ago?
Was it only a year ago?
But now, and for a variety of reasons, the veteran small forward is searching for a map of the comeback trail, with four weeks and a playoff to turn around a season, to kick-start a still young career.
Without digressing too deeply into the dark and stormy postseason and offseason of the recent past, Stojakovic's struggles are attributable to three main factors: the erosion of offensive continuity and crisp ball movement that occurred when Chris Webber returned last March, then persisted into the current season, reducing Peja's touches and scoring opportunities; nagging back and hamstring strains that have yet to completely heal following a combined 11-game injury absence; and a non-confrontational personality that causes him to withdraw rather than stage a counter-offensive.
In other words, he would rather fit in than fight. His preference was to caress those beautiful passes from Vlade Divac, Doug Christie and Brad Miller, his comfort zone more consistent with being a recipient than an initiator. In a sense he was spoiled, spoonfed by three superior, creative and generous passers, among them the greatest passing center of his era. But Divac is gone, Christie is gone, and Miller is gone for the next four to six weeks, which means that Peja has to adjust, has to grow up, has to find other ways to earn a living.
He has to sprint for 94, making himself a more visible target. He has to cut underneath, utilizing his considerable strength and quickness when coming off screens. He has to go get the ball, set some screens, provide opportunities for others and for himself. And he has to remain active throughout, exploiting that sturdy, 6-foot-10 muscled physique of his, certainly collecting more rebounds than he did these past two games (three boards in 79 minutes).
"Yeah, I have to be more aggressive," said Stojakovic, nodding, after the streaking Houston Rockets had exposed the Kings on the perimeter and on the boards. "Especially I have to rebound better. That's an effort thing. You can't just wait for the ball to come to you, and I have been doing that. But I am starting to get my conditioning back, and feeling stronger on the court. When you're hurt, you can't practice, and you get tired on the court. I think it's starting to come back for me."
Sunday, there were at least a few reasons for optimism. Two days after one of the worst performances of his career - a six-point, one-rebound, one-assist outing against the Los Angeles Clippers - and a week after blowing four layups against the Detroit Pistons, Stojakovic responded with a lively opening half. This was more like Peja, more like the old Peja.
While Mike Bibby was enduring one of his rare off-days from the perimeter, Stojakovic stroked three quick threes, scored on the break, found open teammates with three assists, asserted himself and became more than just a decoy waiting on the wings, waving for the ball.
And perhaps for the first time since returning from his most recent injury absence (hamstring), he didn't move like he was hurt. Or afraid of getting hurt. He wasn't timid against the Rockets, which should only work to his benefit; otherwise, newcomers Corliss Williamson and Kenny Thomas will devour his minutes.
"We've just got to get Peja to have faith in himself again," assistant Pete Carril said thoughtfully. "Start moving. Running the floor. Getting his body in there, in tough situations. Regain his confidence. All the stuff that can be suggested, but only one man can do anything about."
Peja knows what he can do, and of course, so does everyone else.
Why not now? If not now, when?
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12561204p-13416299c.html
Last edited:
