Does Peja deserve a little more respect?

[vj9999]

Not for what he did with us in his last couple of years, but since right before his trade to Pacers and during Pacers playoffs he has been complaining of back problems. He also sat out some crucial games in the playoffs du to his knees (which very likely could have resulted from his back problems). I know most Pacers fans continued our bashing of Peja for his softness, but these comments from Byron Scott make Peja's complaining justified?! It also makes it sound that it was an injury that Indiana missed when they traded with us.

http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-27/116720174382600.xml&coll=1

Stojakovic out at least until break

Brown is ready to 'show what I can do'

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 By John Reid


SEATTLE -- The initial MRI test performed on Peja Stojakovic's injured back earlier this month did not show that he had a disc fragment in his lower back, Hornets Coach Byron Scott said Tuesday night.

But a more extensive review of the test performed by specialists hired by the team revealed the injury, and suggested that he undergo surgery to correct the problem. He did so earlier this month.
"If we missed it, I'm sure Indiana missed it," Scott said. "I'm just saying it because he complained about it all last year. In my mind, it's been there for a few years."

Scott said he hasn't ruled out Stojakovic returning this season, but they will not make that determination until after the February All-Star break.
"I don't think none of us wants to say forget this season; I don't think Peja wants to do that," Scott said. "He feels he can comeback sooner and we've got to give him the benefit of the doubt There's no pressure on us and no pressure on him. We understand that he has take all the time that he needs."

Scott said Stojakovic is likely to miss a couple of months, and is on an eight-to-12 week rehabilitation schedule......................

 

[piksi]

It is business. The GMs are like used car salesman. Pedja is just used up and I hope that he can heal whenever because I still think that he has some nice years ahead of him.
As for the trade - I think that Pacers just wanted to get rid of Ron for obvious reasons. Can't balme them. They got something in return for nothing since Ron didn't play.
As for the Kings - we knew the risks but we had to do it. Now are we going to get something for Ron - depends on how far we are willing to go. We should rebuild anyways and not trying to "quick fix" which we have been doing for 2 years now.

 

[BigWaxer]

I stuck up for a Peja a lot during the years here. I have been dissapointed with his performance over the last 2 seasons.

I hope Peja gets well, he has the tools to be a really good player. His biggest problem may be he needs to be set up and has a hard time creating his own shots. Thats fine, he just needs to find the right situation.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Respect is earned, and Pedja is what he is. Once the best shooter in the NBA still a top threat. But he is NOT tough and never developed his game much beyond shooting, moving and with out the ball. And frankly hies defense has droped from surprisingly good to below average. I wish him well but I never saw the passion that should have come with the tallent.

 

[VF21]

I for one owe Peja a bit of an apology if this back problem does, in fact, go back a few years. I remember distinctly when reports came out about his back problems and how he couldn't even ride sitting upright on the plane because of the pain.

Peja nearly became a cripple because of the first time he played through pain - a broken leg, as a matter of fact. If these reports are true, and there's no reason to doubt them at this point, part of his ongoing problems could easily be traced back to a floating disc fragment. My back hurts just thinking about it...

No matter what, I wish him a quick and total recovery and all good things.

 

[Venom]

No, I still blame him. I think this probably stems from overuse and lack of rest, and is a direct result of always playing for his national team in the summer. Had he focused more on his club team and personal development he might not be in this position. When he finally did start saying no to Serbia he was busy facilitating early round exits for the Kings and extended summers for him. Nice guy, but not a player that I like.

 

[BigWaxer]

I never saw the passion that should have come with the tallent.

let me first state (and yes when someone says that it is not good) I respect peja, have been a fan as I said above. But you touched on something here and we do see this from players now and then. Yao comes to mind before Peja....

I wouldn't really phrase it as passion / heart but I know where your going, I would say it's a lack of that killer instinct. If you push me, I am going to push you 10x harder and then step on you. It's just not in his personality, the same with Yao and some others. Doesn't make him bad (and I am not implying you said that, just adding thoughts now) and actually makes him a great person.

Peja is on a team with some good players, almost like the sacto of old. Hopefully he gets healthy and back to his ole self

 

[VF21]

If Peja doesn't have the passion/hunger, it's probably because it was never part of his makeup. He was a soccer player, that was his first love. When he grew too big for soccer, he turned to basketball and was a natural shooter. So, he started playing basketball, turning professional at 15.

It's always been a job to him. He didn't grow up dreaming of taking the winning shot as the clock expired in the deciding game of the NBA finals.

 

[Bricklayer]

The answer would be no, simply because as I have actually cautioned people, the back problems were the one thing to never add into the poopooing category - you don't question back issues. Can be serious.

As the back issues till do not remotely address the remainder of his general wussiness, collapses under pressure, lack of rebounding, toughness, competiveness etc., the answer would be "no". His back problems, or lack thereof, never figured into my Peja calculations. He was soft with a good back, or without.

 

[GoGoGadget]

I know already from past discussions that not everyone agrees, but I've never been convinced that Peja was, in any way, disrespected.

Isn't he pretty widely seen as being one of the best shooters in the league? Well... that's what he is. He doesn't have the reputation, or "respect," that comes along with being a superstar, stud, all around player because he's never been a superstar, stud, all around player.

Where's the discrepancy?

 

[VF21]

Where's the discrepancy?

At least partially in the minds of a lot of very loyal and passionate countrymen of his...

 

[bozzwell]

No, I still blame him. I think this probably stems from overuse and lack of rest, and is a direct result of always playing for his national team in the summer. Had he focused more on his club team and personal development he might not be in this position. When he finally did start saying no to Serbia he was busy facilitating early round exits for the Kings and extended summers for him. Nice guy, but not a player that I like.

That's pretty much it. You sign up at 15 and start playing all year round at 19, by the time you're 27-28 you're an old man in a young man's game. It's actually a wander that he lasted this long.

 

[Bricklayer]

That's pretty much it. You sign up at 15 and start playing all year round at 19, by the time you're 27-28 you're an old man in a young man's game. It's actually a wander that he lasted this long.

I've pondered that before, heard similar questions raised regarding guys like Garnett etc. And it makes sense if you use a sport like tennis as a comparison -- those guys/gals are normally used up by 30-32. Manu may be in decline now, it was about when Zebraca fell off etc. But there are just too many counter examples for me to feel comfortable that that is not just something that makes logical sense more than anything based upon actual observations. Vlade played forever at a high level. Moses Malone was infamous for being a force well into his late 30's. Dirk does not appear to be slowing down, althoguh obviously I do not know the state of the youth basketball in Germany.

 

[bozzwell]

I've pondered that before, heard similar questions raised regarding guys like Garnett etc. And it makes sense if you use a sport like tennis as a comparison -- those guys/gals are normally used up by 30-32. Manu may be in decline now, it was about when Zebraca fell off etc. But there are just too many counter examples for me to feel comfortable that that is not just something that makes logical sense more than anything based upon actual observations. Vlade played forever at a high level. Moses Malone was infamous for being a force well into his late 30's. Dirk does not appear to be slowing down, althoguh obviously I do not know the state of the youth basketball in Germany.

You have to take Dirk/germany out of the equation. His first serious basketball was when he arrived at Dallas.

Of course, there are many counterexamples in US, some even in Europe, but for most athletes there is only so much in the tank and someone like Vlade is actually a freak of nature - smoked, ate what he wanted, partied, didn't take care of his body and had a career that most pros can only dream about. But you have to look at all those players who just fell of the map. It's a little bit harder because we don't recall most of them so easily.

When I look at Nash, I just shake my head in disbelief. But I know lots more players who had it and then lost it then I know Nashes and Vlades.

 

[Peja]

No, I still blame him. I think this probably stems from overuse and lack of rest, and is a direct result of always playing for his national team in the summer. Had he focused more on his club team and personal development he might not be in this position. When he finally did start saying no to Serbia he was busy facilitating early round exits for the Kings and extended summers for him. Nice guy, but not a player that I like.

I bet he will never regret because of playing for NT in 2001. and 2002.!

 

[Double-K]

No, I still blame him. I think this probably stems from overuse and lack of rest, and is a direct result of always playing for his national team in the summer. Had he focused more on his club team and personal development he might not be in this position. When he finally did start saying no to Serbia he was busy facilitating early round exits for the Kings and extended summers for him. Nice guy, but not a player that I like.

Let me get this stright..... you blame him for playing for his nation....




Sometimes I can't understand you people....

 

[Peja]

Peja gave a short interview to serbian papers:
http://www.novosti.co.yu/code/navigate.php?Id=13&status=jedna&vest=98287&datum=2007-01-05

Peja Stojakovic on the Hornets training!But the only "practise" he was able to do was throwing towels and encouraging his team mates.3 weeks after discus operation in his lower back,Peja has no clue when is he going to step on the court again,but since the pain is going away,some optimistic predictions which say that Peja will be back in February will maybe come true!

I am new man!-says serbian champion how he put that chapter of his life away.
After opreation pain in my back is gone and I am really happy because I done it.Since the start of the season I was wasting my time with medications which had no effect.

Coach Byron Skott thinks that doctors in Indiana made a mistake?
I missed 5 games in Indiana but I am not sure if that was same injury.Even in New Orleans they figured about this injury after second testing,they hired specialist to find out what is wrong.This is slow and boring process,I have to pay attention on every move,but the most important thing is that I feel much better

 

[JJ22L]

no-

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[vj9999]

no-

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[JJ22L]

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Hmm...is this one of those damn things where i have to sign up for something...

 

[vj9999]

Hmm...is this one of those damn things where i have to sign up for something...

It's all a scam to get your name and address and put you on a mailing list..... Sorry about previous response. Came across kinda snotty. I was just trying to be funny