If only Peja could have some of Bonzi's toughness...
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No surprise. You've told me that multiple times. For the record, Webber DIDN'T proclaim himself leader; his teammates did that.
Regardless of whatever else may have happened, Webber was a warrior. He desperately wanted to want, and he put it all out there on the court.
But this isn't about Webber. That ship sailed. I only referenced him because of the irony of how upset some people are getting now that PEJA is bearing the brunt of the criticism and not Chris Webber.
Peace.
Regardless of whatever else may have happened, Webber was a warrior. He desperately wanted to want, and he put it all out there on the court.
But this isn't about Webber. That ship sailed. I only referenced him because of the irony of how upset some people are getting now that PEJA is bearing the brunt of the criticism and not Chris Webber.
Peace.
The thing about Pedja's heart has been known for years. Before the 2002 WC Finals, even before him coming to the NBA. He never won anything with his team in Greece, even though he was Greek championship MVP. The thing is, if he is used right on offense he can be any team's option #1, except when it comes to the wire. I'm not sure why this topic is being discussed now ... ?
P.S. Pedja the way that he is does make any team a lot more dangerous, just by spreading the floor. Unfortunately, we do not have the inside type of players who can exploit that more.
P.S. Pedja the way that he is does make any team a lot more dangerous, just by spreading the floor. Unfortunately, we do not have the inside type of players who can exploit that more.
I dont remember Peja saying word one about a max contract...that's all media...
So what you're saying in effect is that you're more likely to cut slack to someone who has been here 2 years or less?
Why would you not cut slack to the guy who has been to war with you, been through the ups and downs, and (oh by the way) is generally considered one of the biggest bargains in the NBA.....
That is too funny to me. If Peja was 95% of the other players in the NBA, he would have been squawking "contract renegotiation" 3 years ago. He signed a bargain deal, and he stuck to his contract. Did not ***** ONCE.
Funny how no one focuses on that.
So what you're saying in effect is that you're more likely to cut slack to someone who has been here 2 years or less?
Why would you not cut slack to the guy who has been to war with you, been through the ups and downs, and (oh by the way) is generally considered one of the biggest bargains in the NBA.....
That is too funny to me. If Peja was 95% of the other players in the NBA, he would have been squawking "contract renegotiation" 3 years ago. He signed a bargain deal, and he stuck to his contract. Did not ***** ONCE.
Funny how no one focuses on that.
If Peja had pulled down 10 rebounds last night and never taken a shot or made an assist, he would not be lambasted here. If Peja had dived to the floor to recover a loose ball just once last night, no one would be berating him. If Peja would have gotten into a fist fight with Jason Richardson and been hauled off the court in handcuffs by the Oakland Police, few would complain.
You folks are not being fair to Peja. You just can't expect someone that pretty to risk a facial injury.
You folks are not being fair to Peja. You just can't expect someone that pretty to risk a facial injury.
Odoyerules. Wow I never thought about it that way, but you're absolutely right. It would only be fair for the Kings to offer him max contract for the type of deal he's had before (by the way I am still suspicious that the only reason why Adelman kept him on the bench in the first 2 years is exactly THAT, so that he wouldn't get better numbers and couldn't ask for more money).
It's understandable people are so hard on Peja. On alot of other teams, people would welcome him with open arms. It's just that people in Sacramento want that damn ring so bad that anything less than perfect at any position is simply unacceptable.
Peja could be a superstar if he really wanted to. He's an okay defender and a decent passer. It's his rebounding that is worrisome and at times, unacceptable, and it's frustrating that he's not playing to his full potential, but I'm sure everyone here will miss him once he starts scoring 35 points a game on some other team. Former players always seem to take off after leaving the Kings.
Peja could be a superstar if he really wanted to. He's an okay defender and a decent passer. It's his rebounding that is worrisome and at times, unacceptable, and it's frustrating that he's not playing to his full potential, but I'm sure everyone here will miss him once he starts scoring 35 points a game on some other team. Former players always seem to take off after leaving the Kings.
a) he's not scoring 35 for anyone;
b) he has no, and never has had, any chance to be a superstar
c) there may not be a team in the league that would try to make him a #1 at this point, his stock has taken a major hit.
d) If I was Miami I would give up the whole team beyond Shaq and Wade to get him and slide him into his perfect role as a #3 spot shooter efficiently taking advantage of looks created by Wade and Shaq. Would be scary. He's not a champion, but he could still win one playing alongside guys who are.
b) he has no, and never has had, any chance to be a superstar
c) there may not be a team in the league that would try to make him a #1 at this point, his stock has taken a major hit.
d) If I was Miami I would give up the whole team beyond Shaq and Wade to get him and slide him into his perfect role as a #3 spot shooter efficiently taking advantage of looks created by Wade and Shaq. Would be scary. He's not a champion, but he could still win one playing alongside guys who are.
If you're going to go down that road, I think it's only fair to bring up that the extension was done when Vlade was still here, which was (I'm reasonably sure) VERY important to Peja.
If Peja didn't tantalize us once in a while with glimpses of just how good he really could be, I know in my case I wouldn't keep hoping/expecting to see it on the court.
We've seen him rebound, but he won't do it consistently. We've even seen him go to the floor for a loose ball - I remember because I almost fell out of my chair doing the PBP about it.
So, for me at least, it's frustration that rears its head more often than any kind of "hate" ... Peja is a shooter who takes my breath away. Always has been. I still sit in awe when he lets go from near the garlie fries stand and gets nothing but net time after time without seeming to even think about it. That is true poetry in motion.
So, I guess what comes out a lot of times is the regret that, for whatever reason, he doesn't put forth the maximum effort and take himself to that rarified level few NBA players ever achieve. And that regret is magnified because I honestly think he COULD do it, if only we found the right carrot.
If Peja didn't tantalize us once in a while with glimpses of just how good he really could be, I know in my case I wouldn't keep hoping/expecting to see it on the court.
We've seen him rebound, but he won't do it consistently. We've even seen him go to the floor for a loose ball - I remember because I almost fell out of my chair doing the PBP about it.
So, for me at least, it's frustration that rears its head more often than any kind of "hate" ... Peja is a shooter who takes my breath away. Always has been. I still sit in awe when he lets go from near the garlie fries stand and gets nothing but net time after time without seeming to even think about it. That is true poetry in motion.
So, I guess what comes out a lot of times is the regret that, for whatever reason, he doesn't put forth the maximum effort and take himself to that rarified level few NBA players ever achieve. And that regret is magnified because I honestly think he COULD do it, if only we found the right carrot.
Actually, young players very often have their rookie contracts renegotiatied before the 3 year with club option is up.
Paul Pierce wants his contract renegotiated. Chris Webber almost had his contract renegotiated before his free agent year. Several players get their contracts renegotiated before they hit the market, so the team avoids a war, or just to make the players happy.
Don't really understand where you're coming from with that.
Paul Pierce wants his contract renegotiated. Chris Webber almost had his contract renegotiated before his free agent year. Several players get their contracts renegotiated before they hit the market, so the team avoids a war, or just to make the players happy.
Don't really understand where you're coming from with that.
Under the previous CBA, it was possible to renegotiate a contract that went 4 years or longer. However, a player's salary can only be increased in this manner if the team was under the cap. That's why it didn't happen that often. Shawn Kemp had his contract successfully renegotiated by getting traded to Cleveland (they were under cap).
Peja isn't a bargain anymore these 2 seasons. There are plenty of players at around his salary that I'd rather have. Besides that, paying a player for previous service rendered is pretty ridiculous. What team is going to get anywhere with that? Just a homer statement really. Doubt people would have the same attitude about any player but Peja.
I also find it funny that Webber's contract was considered an albatross that we were unlucky to be stuck with (cause it wouldn't have been if he didn't get injured) while many of those same people saying that would willingly walk right into the "Peja albatross" that we KNOW will hurt us. He doesn't even have to suffer a career-threatening injury (for him, a bruised shin).
I also find it funny that Webber's contract was considered an albatross that we were unlucky to be stuck with (cause it wouldn't have been if he didn't get injured) while many of those same people saying that would willingly walk right into the "Peja albatross" that we KNOW will hurt us. He doesn't even have to suffer a career-threatening injury (for him, a bruised shin).
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I am going with VF21 100%. He did NOTHING yesterrday! NOTHING! When you got an injured pinky, at least TRY to do SOMETHING! A little D, no, a little huslte, no, a little rebounding, Nno.
This game proved that Peja is worthless when he don't shoot or make baskets. Max to Peja would be the WORST thing the Kings can do this offseason unless Peja can prove and gatehr people's respect back that he can do more than just shoot, If not,, Peja gots to go........
This game proved that Peja is worthless when he don't shoot or make baskets. Max to Peja would be the WORST thing the Kings can do this offseason unless Peja can prove and gatehr people's respect back that he can do more than just shoot, If not,, Peja gots to go........
So, I agree Bonzi is a "warrior" or whatever, but he's also a guy who lost all of his value last year by pouting, not playing hard, and being a general jerk-off. Now he's in a contract year, and playing really hard...in November...
Peja is an NBA veteran nursing his injury, through which he could play, and not really giving much effort...in November.
I'm starting a petition...stop villifying players, asking for trades, and putting players on a pedestal until someone puts up in the goddam playoffs. If we don't make it there, then its the team's fault, cause we're too talented to not make it. Anyone with me?
Peja is an NBA veteran nursing his injury, through which he could play, and not really giving much effort...in November.
I'm starting a petition...stop villifying players, asking for trades, and putting players on a pedestal until someone puts up in the goddam playoffs. If we don't make it there, then its the team's fault, cause we're too talented to not make it. Anyone with me?
I saw Peja playing defense through-out the game. Pretty consistent too. I'ved noticed he usually does when he isn't scoring the ball. Reef and Kenny, or at least one of them (can't remember exactly, but know Reef did), were guarding Dunleavy for stretches, and Peja played J-Rich for stretches (which he did well in them). He tried on ten shots with a sprained shooting hand.
It's not going to come in two games in a row coming back from it, it's going to take at least 2-3 more games.
It's not going to come in two games in a row coming back from it, it's going to take at least 2-3 more games.
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I do agree he should hustle, which he doesn't very much. But with the hand, perhaps he doesn't want to worsen the condition of his hand by diving/lunging. I don't know.
You didn't see him play ANY defense (a little/some)... Uh, okay...
Well, like I said, I don't remember all on that (Dunleavy), there were a bunch of switches through-out the game (including in the 4th). I do remember Peja fouled him a couple times though in the 4th, and got Peja into foul trouble (five fouls).
All I have to say on that.
You didn't see him play ANY defense (a little/some)... Uh, okay...
Well, like I said, I don't remember all on that (Dunleavy), there were a bunch of switches through-out the game (including in the 4th). I do remember Peja fouled him a couple times though in the 4th, and got Peja into foul trouble (five fouls).
All I have to say on that.
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