In its words: Predrag Stojakovic

Crackerman

G-League
http://www.nba.com/espanol/entrevista_stojakovic.html

I found this article on nba.com but had a problem translating it. Could anyone translate this and repost it?




MIAMI, Florida (7 de Marzo, 2005). ‘Peja’ es una de las principales figuras de los Kings, equipo con el que ha jugado siete temporadas desde que fue elegido en el turno 14 del NBA Draft 1996. Representante de la nueva generación de estrellas europeas en la NBA, el jugador nacido en Serbia & Montenegro analiza el presente de los Kings y las recientes transferencias de su equipo, entre otros temas.

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Predrag Stojakovic
NBAE/Getty Images¿Extrañaste la experiencia de ser parte del All-Star este año en Denver?
Bueno esas cosas pasan, este año no logré participar, pero esperemos que en el futuro pueda volver a ser parte del All-Star. Primero porque es una gran experiencia, además tienes la posibilidad de jugar al lado de jugadores de diferentes equipos y también puedes competir en pruebas interesantes y en general ser parte de uno de los mejores espectáculos que tiene la NBA.

Pero por otra parte el All-Star también es una oportunidad para descansar…
Definitivamente, tuve tiempo de descansar, estuve en casa durante estas festividades y pude pasar un gran tiempo con mi familia.

La NBA vivió una serie de cambios de jugadores, ¿qué opinas de las recientes transferencias?
Bueno, nuestro equipo es un gran ejemplo. Primero en el verano se fue Vlade Divac (Los Ángeles Lakers), luego Doug Christie (Orlando Magic) y Chris Webber (Philadelphia Sixers) hace un par de semanas, esa es la vida en la NBA. Este equipo está en una etapa de reconstrucción y esperemos que todos los cambios sean para el bien del equipo.

Precisamente Divac es uno de tus mejores amigos y una persona vital en tu carrera en la NBA, ¿fue difícil para ti su salida del equipo?
Como decía antes, esa es la vida en la NBA. Hoy estás acá y mañana no sabes si estas en los planes de otro equipo. Lo extraño como persona y jugador, desde el comienzo me ha ayudado mucho en mi carrera en esta liga y lo considero mi mejor amigo, por fortuna seguimos en contacto y le deseo lo mejor en su nueva etapa en la NBA.

¿Ves tu nombre en esta etapa de reconstrucción de los Kings?
Me encanta Sacramento, me gusta el equipo, la organización. Este es un grupo con mucho talento y necesitamos tiempo porque tenemos un grupo nuevo de jugadores que necesita adaptación y con el paso de los juegos se verán los resultados.

Crees que la imagen de los jugadores europeos ha cambiado a raíz de todas las buenas experiencias que han tenido en la NBA ¿como te sientes siendo parte de todo esto?
Siempre hemos tenido la reputación de ser buenos lanzadores pero siempre había cuestionamientos sobre nuestra capacidad en la defensa y la línea de ataque. La realidad es que siempre hemos tenido que demostrar nuestro talento. Los jugadores europeos no tenemos suficiente credibilidad y nos tenemos que ganar nuestro espacio en la liga, eso es entendible porque somos extranjeros. Al comienzo siempre es difícil pero los tiempos han cambiado y gracias a otros jugadores se han abierto las puertas. Espero ser uno de esos jugadores que abran puertas para las nuevas generaciones que sueñan jugar en la NBA.

¿Cuál es tu jugador extranjero favorito?
Creo que puedo ser uno de los mejores jugadores internacionales en la NBA y por su puesto no me quiero incluir ahí (risas). En serio, creo que el mejor es Dirk Nowitzki, él es un jugador increíble, es un gran lanzador. Hablando de los latinos considero que Manu lo esta haciendo muy bien, ha tenido un año increíble y él es uno de esos jugadores que definitivamente causa un gran impacto en su equipo. Gasol también puede estar en ese grupo de estrellas internacionales que pueden liderar y guiar un equipo. Pero sin dudas, Nowitzki es el mejor.

¿Cuál es tu opinión del nivel mostrado por la selección de Estados Unidos en los pasados Olímpicos?
Esas cosas pasan en un torneo en el que si pierdes un juego se acaba todo. En ese campeonato la selección de Estados Unidos no jugó muy bien y al final perdieron. Creo que Argentina merecía este triunfo, fue un equipo que demostró un buen nivel de básquetbol durante todo el torneo y al final se llevó con justicia la medalla de oro. Yo creo que el básquetbol de Estados Unidos ha venido entendiendo, desde hace un par de años, que no pueden llegar a todos los torneos subestimando a los demás equipos. Simplemente tienen que ir, ganar y demostrar que pueden jugar a un buen nivel.

¿Estas listo para volver hacer parte de tu selección nacional?
Si claro. No jugué en los olímpicos y pues ahora esperamos competir en el Torneo Europeo de Básquetbol.

Durante la pretemporada los Kings tuvieron a Adam Parada, un jugador mexicano que participó de varios partidos, ¿qué opinión tienes de él? Es un gran muchacho. Estuvo con nosotros en China y creo que tienen un gran nivel para llegar a la NBA. Espero verlo en esta liga muy pronto, necesita desarrollar un poco su juego y si lo hace a un nivel bueno, por ejemplo en Europa, podrá volver a la liga con más experiencia y desarrollar todo su juego.

Cuál es tu opinión sobre la presente temporada, ¿como crees que va ser el camino rumbo a las finales?
Creo San Antonio va ser el rival más difícil, así lo han demostrado y se mantiene como el mejor equipo del Oeste. De resto, todos los demás equipos tienen un nivel parejo. Hablando de la Conferencia Este están muy fuertes Miami y Detroit, pero creo que San Antonio está en un nivel superior con respecto a los demás equipos.

¿Qué opinión tienes de tu compatriota Darko Milicic?
Es un jugador joven, tiene muchísimo talento y debe adaptarse a esta liga. Vive su segundo año en la NBA y las cosas no han sido tan fáciles para él. No se le puede juzgar por los pocos minutos que ha jugado en la cancha, necesita tiempo y minutos para demostrar que tiene talento. Eso lo sabemos quienes lo conocemos pero en general necesita más oportunidades.

Comentarios de Brad Miller

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¿Cuál es tu opinión sobre tu compañero de equipo Peja Stojakovic?
El es uno de los mejores lanzadores de la liga, puede lanzar desde cualquier parte y siempre tiene la misma eficacia. También cuando hace asistencias es increíble y a la hora de defender es una ayuda incondicional. ¿Están los Kings preparados para los Playoffs?
Como siempre esperamos clasificar a la postemporada, debemos seguir siendo consistentes y ganar la mayor cantidad de partidos que restan. Nuestro equipo sigue siendo fuerte, hemos tenido algunas bajas por lesiones, pero esperamos estar de nuevo todos juntos para lo que resta de la temporada.
 
i'm in Spanish 2. i could actually understand most of it. wow. i'm still in school. and i have work to do so i can't translate it for you all. i'll probably just mess up anyway, but thanks for posting. it's interesting to know that i actually understand spanish outside my spanish classroom! :D
 
MIAMI, Florida (7 of March, 2005). ' Pejá is one of the main figures of the Kings, equipment with which has played seven seasons since it was chosen in turn 14 of the NBA Draft 1996. Representative of the new European star generation in the NBA, the player born in Serbia & Montenegro the present analyzes of the Kings and the recent transferences of his equipment, among other subjects.

stojakovic_200_030408.jpg

Predrag Stojakovic
NBAE/Getty ImagesYou surprised the experience of being part of the east All-Star year in Denver?
Good those things happen, this year I did not manage to participate, but we hope that in the future it can return to be part of the All-Star. First because it is a great experience, in addition you have the possibility of playing next to players of different equipment and also you can compete in interesting tests and in general to be part of one of the best spectacles than has the NBA.

But on the other hand the All-Star also is an opportunity to rest...
Definitively, I had time to rest, I was in house during these festividades and could spend a great time with my family.

The NBA lived a series on changes of players, what you think of the recent transferences?
Good, our equipment is a great example. First in the summer Vlade Divac went (the Lakers Angels), soon Doug Christie (Trimming Magic) and Chris Webber (Philadelphia Sixers) makes a pair of weeks, that is the life in the NBA. This equipment is in a reconstruction stage and we hope that all the changes are for the good of the equipment.

Indeed Divac is one of your better friends and a vital person in your race in the NBA, was difficult for you her exit of the equipment?
As it said before, that is the life in the NBA. Today you are here and tomorrow you do not know if these in the plans of another equipment. The stranger like person and player, from the beginning has helped me much in my race in this league and I consider my better friend, fortunately we followed in contact and him desire the best thing in its new stage in the NBA.

You see your name in this stage of reconstruction of the Kings?
I enchant Sacrament to me, likes the equipment, the organization. This it is a group with much talent and we needed time because we have a new group of players who needs adaptation and with the passage of the games the results will be seen.

Think that the image of the European players has changed as a result of all the good experiences that they have had in the NBA as you feel being part of all this?
We have always had the reputation to be good throwers but always there were cuestionamientos on our capacity in the defense and the assault line. The reality is that we have always had to demonstrate our talent. The European players we do not have sufficient credibility and we must ourselves gain our space in the league, that is understandable because we are foreign. In the beginning always it is difficult but the times have changed and thanks to other players have opened the doors. I hope to be one of those players who open doors for the new generations that dream to play in the NBA.

Which is your favorite foreign player?
I believe that I can be one of the best international players in the NBA and by its position I am not wanted to include there (laughter). In serious, I believe that the best one is Dirk Nowitzki, he is an incredible player, is a great thrower. Speaking of the Latins I consider that Manu this doing very well, has had an incredible year and it is one of those players whom definitively a great impact in its equipment causes. Gasol also can be in that international star group that can lead and guide an equipment. But without doubts, Nowitzki is the best one.

Which is your opinion of the level shown by the selection of the United States in the Olympic pasts?
Those things happen in a match in which if you lose a game finishes everything. In that championship the selection of the United States did not play very well and in the end they lost. I believe that Argentina deserved east triumph, was an equipment that throughout demonstrated to a good level of básquetbol the match and in the end the gold medal took with justice. I have been believing that básquetbol of the United States has come understanding, for a pair of years, that cannot arrive at all the matches underestimating to the other equipment. Simply they must go, gain and demonstrate that they can play a good level.

These ready to return to be part of your national selection?
If clear. I did not play in the Olympic ones and then now we hoped to compete in the European Match of Básquetbol.

During the preseason the Kings had Stopped Adam, a Mexican player who participated in several parties, what opinion you have of him? He is a great boy. He was with us in China and I believe that they have a great level to arrive at the NBA. I hope to see it in this league in a moment, needs to develop a little its game and if he does at a good level, for example in Europe, he will be able to return to the league with more experience and to develop all his game.

Which is your opinion on the present season, as you think that it goes to be the way course to the end?
I create San Antonio goes to be the most difficult rival, therefore they have demonstrated it and one stays like the best equipment of the West. Of rest, all the other equipment has an even level. Speaking of the very strong Conference This are Miami and Detroit, but I believe that San Antonio is in a superior level with respect to the other equipment.

What opinion you have of your compatriot Darko Milicic?
He is a young player, it has very many talent and it must adapt to this league. Its second year in the NBA lives and the things have not been so easy for him. It is not possible to be judged to him by the few minutes that have played in the field, needs time and minutes to demonstrate that it has talent. That we know it that we know it but in general it needs more opportunities.

Commentaries of Brad Miller

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Which is your opinion on your teammate Peja Stojakovic?
He is one of the best throwers of the league, can send from any part and it always has the same effectiveness. Also when it makes attendances is incredible and at the time of defending it is an unconditional aid. They are the Kings prepared for the Playoffs?
As we always hoped to classify to the postemporada one, we must continue being consistent and to gain the greater amount of parties than they reduce. Our equipment continues being strong, we have had some losses by injuries, but we hoped to be again all together ones for which it reduces of the season.
 
Actually, now that I read it.......it doesn't translate that well. If you are like me and half of your family is from out of the country then you kinda get good at the "broken english" thing.
 
My first paragraph translation:

"Peja" is one of the main figures on the Kings, the team with which he's played seven seasons from the time he was drafted #14 in the 1996 NBA draft. Representative of the new generation of European stars in the NBA, the player born in Serbia and Montenegro analyzes the state of the Kings and the recent changes in the team, among other things.

Babelfish gives you the basic gist of it, just replace "equipment" with "team."
~~
 
"During the preseason the Kings had Stopped Adam"...

should really be:

"During the preseason, the Kings had Adam Parada..."

:)
 
A full and clear translation

Here's a full human translation........


“Peja” is one of the key figures for the Kings, a team he has played with for seven seasons since being drafted fourteenth in the 1996 NBA Draft. Representative of a new generation of European stars in the NBA, the Serbia and Montenegro-born player analizes the present for the Kings and the recent trades of his team, among other themes.

Q: Did you miss being part of the all star experience in Denver?
A: Well, these things happen, this year I didn’t participate, but I hope that in the future I will return to be part of the All-Star game. First because it’s a great experience, you get to play along side of players from different teams, also you get to compete in interesting tests [referring to 3 point contest, I guess] and in general be part of one of the greatest spectacles the NBA has.

Q: But the All-Star break is also an opportunity to rest…
A: Definitely, I got to rest, I got to be at home during the festivities and I was able to spend a lot of time with my family.

Q: The NBA has experienced a series of player trades, what do you think about the recent trades?
A: Well, our team is a good example. First in the summer Vlade went, then DC and Chris Webber just a few week ago. That’s life in the NBA. This team is in a period of reconstruction and we hope all the changes will be good for the team.

Q: Divac is one of your best friends and a person vital to your career in the NBA, was his leaving the team difficult for you?
A: As I said before, that’s life in the NBA. Today you’re here and tomorrow you doesn’t know if you’ll be with another team. I miss him as a person and a player, he has helped me since the beginning of my career in this league and I consider him my best friend, and fortunately we keep in contact and I wish him the best in his new phase in the NBA.

Q: Is your name in this phase of reconstruction for the Kings?
A: I love Sacramento, I like the team, the organization. This group has a lot of talent and needs time because we have a group of new players who need to adapt and after several games we’ll see the results.

Q: Do you believe that the image of the European players has changed because of all the good experiences they’ve have had in the NBA? How do you feel being part of all this?
A: We’ve always had the reputation as the best shooters but there have always been questions about our capacity as defenders and the line of attack. The reality is that we have always had to demonstate our talent. The European players do not have enough credibility and we have to gain earn our space in the league, and this is understandable because we are outsiders/foreigners. At the beginning it is always difficult but times have changed and fortunately other players have opened the doors. I hope to be one of those player that opens the doors for a new generation who dream about playing in the NBA.

Q: Who is your favorite player?
A: I believe that I can be one of the best international players in the NBA and of course I don’t want to include myself here (laughs). Seriously, I believe the best is Dirk, he’s an incredible player and a great shooter. Speaking of the Latinos, I think Manu has done very well, he has had an incredible year and he is one of those players that definitely has a huge impact on this team. Gasol also can be in the group of international stars that can be leaders and guide their team. But without doubt, Nowitski is the best.

Q: What is your opinion about the level of play demonstrated by the USA national team in the past Olympics?
A: These things happen in a tournament where when you lose a game it’s all finished. In this championship team USA did not play well and lost in the end. I believe that Argentina deserved the title, they were a team that demonstrated a high level of basketball during the entire tournament and in the end deservedly took away the gold medal. I believe that the U.S. basketball has come to the understanding, for some years now, that they cannot arrive at all the tournaments underestimating other teams. They simply have to go and demonstrate that they can play at a high level.

Q: Are yo uready to return to be part of your national team?
A: Yes of course. I did not play in the last Olympics and now I hope to compete in the Euroepean Tournament of Basketball.

Q: During the time the Kings had Adam Parada, a Mexican player that participated in various games, what did you think of him?
A: He’s a great guy. He was with us in China and I believe he had a good chance of making it to the NBA. I hope to see him in the league soon, he needs to develop his game a little bit and if he makes it at a high level – for example in Europe - he might return to the league with more experience and develop his entire game.

Q: What is your opinion about the present moment, what do you believe the road to the NBA finals will be like?
A: I believe that San Antonio is going to be the most difficult rival, given that they have demonsrated and maintained the best team in the West. Of the rest, all have a equal shot. Speaking of the Eastern conference, Miami is very strong and Detroit, but I believe San Antonio is at the superior level with respect to the other teams.

Q: What do you think about your countryman Darko Milicic?
A: He is a young player, he has great talen and should adapt to this league. He’s in his second year in the NBA and things have not been so easy for him. One can’t judge him in such few minutes he’s spent on the court, he needs time and minutes to demonstrate that he has talent. This we know, but he needs more opportunities.

Commentaries of Brad Miller:
Q: What is your opinion of your teammate Peja?
A: He is one of the best shooters in the league, he can shoot from whatever part of the floor with the same efficiency. Also his assists are incredible and as a defender he is an unconditional help.

Q: Are the Kings ready for the playoffs?
A: As always, we are ready to play in the postseason, we need to continue being consistent and win a great number of the rest of our games. Our team continues feeling strong, we’ve had a few lows because of injuries, but we hope to be all together again for the rest of the season.
 
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Thanks Amory and SCKingsfan for the translation!!


I wonder if Brad and Pedja had to speak in Spanish to do this interview?? ~joke. :D
 
iheartBrad said:
thanks Amory for the translation...

np. I'm new here and mostly just a lerker (I come here everyday but don't post anything) so I thought that I would just put in a little help :D
 
LMM said:
i'm in Spanish 2. i could actually understand most of it. wow. i'm still in school. and i have work to do so i can't translate it for you all. i'll probably just mess up anyway, but thanks for posting. it's interesting to know that i actually understand spanish outside my spanish classroom! :D
lol..same here :)
 
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