Interview with Joe about retiring Vlade's number...and more

[VF21]

Last year, I began corresponding occasionally with a Serbian journalist. He is the one who gave me the audio file of Joe Maloof talking about possibly giving Peja a max deal.

Now, I have something from him again. I'm in the process of transcribing it right now...

Nebrojsa (Neb) caught up with Joe at the Lakers-Kings game last week and talked with him at halftime. They talk about retiring Vlade's number, what Vlade meant to the franchise, and a little about Peja, his trade and his future.

 

[VF21]

Here's the transcript. I'm pretty sure I got everything correctly. Joe's voice got worse and worse as he talked. Sounded like much more than a little cold...but, since this was in Staples, let him spread some cold germs.

Q: Are you thinking about Vlade's jersey in the rafters?

A: Oh yeah. Of course.

Q: When is that going to happen?

A: Um, we'll do it eventually ... um, because when you say "Sacramento Kings" you think Vlade. He was the face of our team for many years and we all love him. Sacramento loves him...the fans, the ownership, everybody. You know, he did so much for our franchise.

Q: Who's gonna get up there first? Him or Chris? What do you think?

A: ...I don't know. They're both (unintelligible)...

Q: How long did you wait before Mitch? (Comment unintelligible)...

A: I think about six years.

Q: Is that the timeline for Vlade also?

A: You know, I think ... uh ... I think ... we'll do it soon. (At this point, Joe starts to sound really hoarse). slight laugh We gotta do it soon. I mean, the guy was a great player ... he was the most fabulous player we've ever had. He kept the team together. He's such a wonderful man, he did so much for the community and for our franchise, he kept everyone together.

We miss him! We wish he didn't get older. Too bad he's not ten years younger.

Q: When we talked in Arco last year, you told me you were really thinking about signing Peja again and then this trade happened. Do you think a little of him died when Divac went from Sacramento and then...

A. I think so.

Q. ...that's why it made it easier to let him go to another team.

A. Well, you know I think they were so close, they were like brothers. Vlade was like a big brother to him and he nurtured him and brought him through the NBA and then when Vlade retired...or when he left to the Lakers, I think it did hurt Peja a little bit. Joe sounds even more hoarse and coughs a couple of times.

Q: But it seems as though things are coming together again...

A: (overlapping the question) But this trade is gonna work out for everybody. Joe coughs some more, and clears his throat. It's gonna be good for Peja, it'll be good for the Kings, it was time for a change.

Q: Was it a hard decision? Oh, I'm sorry. (in reference to Joe's coughing)

A: It's okay. I've got a little cold.

Q: Anyway, I know he thought... he wanted it to be a little easier on like how it was given to him. He felt a little ... not betrayed, but maybe offended by...

A: (Joe coughs again) Well, you know sometimes...it's not a perfect world. The trade happened so quickly. It was unfortunate that it got out before we were able to contact Peja but we called him afterward. We left him a message. We talked to him the other day in
Indiana and he was very appreciative of everything we've done for him and vice versa. (Another cough)

Q: I don't want to take any more of your time. I don't want to bother you any more.

A: Yeah, thanks. (Joe coughs again.)

End...

 

[VF21]

Just to clarify, I'm NOT the person who actually conducted the interview. It was done in Staples during half-time on March 22.

 

[KingDog]

Thanks VF--
I really liked Joes' comments on Vlade. I can't believe I still get choked up whenever I hear stuff like that.

 

[piksi]

maybe, just maybe - we will know the whole truth one day

 

[Insomniacal Fan]

maybe, just maybe - we will know the whole truth one day

Yeah, somebody oughta write a book or something. It would contain secrets like why AV hated Webber and Adelman so much, why Gerald Wallace never got any PT, and how Adelman blackmails players into good behavior in Sac.

 

[Alacron]

...and how Adelman blackmails players into good behavior in Sac.

It's hard to believe that Rick couldn't find any dirt on Tony Massenburg.
~~

 

[weyah]

i think # 13 should be up there in the rafters too.. for me, doug is vlade's alter-ego...

 

[LilMissDiva]

Q: I don't want to take any more of your time. I don't want to bother you any more.

A: Yeah, thanks. (Joe coughs again.)

I don't know why, but this just cracked me up!!

 

[VF21]

When I was listening to the tape, Joe was REALLY coughing. In fact, it sounded like he was one or two labored breaths away from dropping to the ground. I think Neb at that point was trying to get away, realizing germs were enveloping him like a POOF cloud.

 

[SacKings4Life21]

Well I would love to see doug and vlades number up there... Webs to, even though I was never a huge fan, he did reshape our franchise. But I love love loved Vlade! I miss him so much. THat was the start to our end... when our papa left... but we coming back now

 

[loopymitch]

This is probably a stupid question but who decides whose jersey is retired? Is the NBA or would it be the Kings management?

 

[VF21]

The Maloofs have the final say. The league has nothing to do with what jersey numbers teams decide to retire. It's strictly an "in-house" honor type of thing.

I do recall, however, a suggestion by a MJ fan that the #23 be retired on all teams because of how important Jordan was. Obviously, the owners of the other teams didn't see the need.

 

[Elise10]

The Maloofs have the final say. The league has nothing to do with what jersey numbers teams decide to retire. It's strictly an "in-house" honor type of thing.

I do recall, however, a suggestion by a MJ fan that the #23 be retired on all teams because of how important Jordan was. Obviously, the owners of the other teams didn't see the need.

Make that most of the other owners. Miami has that half-Bulls, half-Wizards retired jersey in honor of MJ . Makes you believe why they didn't go ahead with it

 

[hoopsfan]

Make that most of the other owners. Miami has that half-Bulls, half-Wizards retired jersey in honor of MJ . Makes you believe why they didn't go ahead with it

And remember...they have Dan Marino's jersey "retired" too!!??!!

 

[Peja]

For what they gave to Sacramento Kings organisation and fans,I think they all deserved to get their jerseys retired(Vlade,C-Webb,Doug,Peja,Mike).Each of them had large influence on the team,and made Kings one of the most popular teams on the world.
That's MHO.

 

[VF21]

Vlade - without a doubt. Webber - leaning towards yes. Doug - undecided. Peja - learning towards no. Mike - leaning towards no.

Vlade was truly something special. Honoring him up there with those others would, IMHO, be the right thing to do.

Webber was arguably the biggest star - at least so far - to ever wear the uniform of the Sacramento Kings. I'd retire his number probably because I doubt anyone could ever fill the shoes of #4.

The others, and I'm actually somewhat surprised I'm saying this, were just very good players at a time when Sacramento wasn't used to seeing very good players.

I would like to see some kind of tribute to the TEAM of 2002-2004, but I don't think retiring each of their jerseys is necessarily the way to do it.

 

[chelle]

Vlade - without a doubt. Webber - leaning towards yes. Doug - undecided. Peja - learning towards no. Mike - leaning towards no.

Vlade was truly something special. Honoring him up there with those others would, IMHO, be the right thing to do.

Webber was arguably the biggest star - at least so far - to ever wear the uniform of the Sacramento Kings. I'd retire his number probably because I doubt anyone could ever fill the shoes of #4.

The others, and I'm actually somewhat surprised I'm saying this, were just very good players at a time when Sacramento wasn't used to seeing very good players.

I would like to see some kind of tribute to the TEAM of 2002-2004, but I don't think retiring each of their jerseys is necessarily the way to do it.

I was thinking the same thing!! - Great minds, I guess.

*I am thinking YES to Vlade and Webb, without a doubt.
*Doug is one of my all time favorites so, for me, I have to say undecided instead of no.
*Peja, sad to say, but I am thinking no.
*Mike still has time left, so I am going to say - undecided for him as well. If he left after this season, I would lean more towrds no, but we shall see.

**I would LOVE to see a tribute of some sort to THE TEAM of 2002-2004. It was special!

 

[Bricklayer]

Vlade/Webb are automatics.

Doug is a darkhorse, as is Peja.

Mike is a no unless he stays here for years longer.

 

[KingCookie]

Vlade - yes
Webber - I vote no, but I wouldn't protest it if it happened
Peja - NO!!
Doug - nah
Mike - not unless he wins us a ring and finishes out his career here

 

[Peja]

Mike still has chance to prove himself in the future and to make something big with Kings.
Peja-because he has the biggest number of games in purple jersey.That means something
Doug...not sure...because he punched Fox

Anyway,it's hard for me to separate these guys and to retire just 2 jerseys.They made Kings special all together-individualy it's not the same.When they weren't all together on the court,harmony was disturbed.When they were all together on the court-it was pure magic!

 

[Padrino]

Anyway,it's hard for me to separate these guys and to retire just 2 jerseys.They made Kings special all together-individualy it's not the same.When they weren't all together on the court,harmony was disturbed.When they were all together on the court-it was pure magic!

you're right about that. it was one of those situtations where you scratch your head and wonder why it just clicked for those guys. there are teams all over the nba with all the potential in the world, but it doesn't always click for them. but vlade, webb, peja, doug, and mike...well, it just clicked. dunno why, but some players are just kinda made for each other, and are clearly not as good when they separate. vlade and chris get my votes for the rafters, because they were the beginning of a movement in sacramento sports history (which basically means kings history).

 

[LMM]

Webber and Vlade = MOST DEFINITELY!

Peja -- most games played as a king should count.. hmm.. if he had the chance to finish his career in sac, i'd say yes. but right now, i'm leaning towards no.

Mike --undecided. He has time left. Hope he gets to finish his career in sac. Then he'd get a shot.

Doug -- everyone loves him and he did make an impact but i don't really know if he's in or not. i wouldn't be mad if his gets retired or not.

And I also agree with honoring the team in some sort of way that they'll forever be remembered as something special.

 

[Bricklayer]

Vlade - yes
Webber - I vote no, but I wouldn't protest it if it happened
Peja - NO!!
Doug - nah
Mike - not unless he wins us a ring and finishes out his career here

See..that's nto really doable.

If Vlade goes, Webb just about has to. And both will I am sure. Vlade is the oddball selection. Not an all-time great. not even all-time franchise great. Just popular. Think he will get in on the Brad Davis/Nate McMillan nice guy for the franchise exception. In fact almost sure of it. But he can't go in alone anymore than Davis could go in and Ro Blackman not, or McMillan could get it but Payton not.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

Vlade - definitely
Chris - yes
Peja - leaning towards a no but you do have to consider most games played
Doug - Sorry but no
Mike - No but he has time to make it

How would we honor RA? Retire one of his suits?

 

[VF21]

Vlade - definitely
Chris - yes
Peja - leaning towards a no but you do have to consider most games played
Doug - Sorry but no
Mike - No but he has time to make it

How would we honor RA? Retire one of his suits?

I'm thinking a big gold doghouse out front of Arco might be appropriate.

 

[Elise10]

Vlade & Chris........can't say one without the other so.....yes on both.

Doug......on fence.....leaning towards yes because on defense.

Peja....no...just not enough individuality amongst the other.

Mike....not right now....maybe later on.

Question......if we're on the subject of including Mike do players like Bobby & Jason get honorable mention?

 

[VF21]

Jason - No
Bobby - as part of the team? Most definitely!!!

 

[love_them_kings]

To me, Webb & Vlade are no brainers. Can't imagine doing one without the other because they were the heart and soul of "that" team, the one that will never be forgotten.

DC- lean towards yes because I love the guy & because he loved being a King, but I'm wishy washy on it. Tempted to say yes just because of all these guys, I think DC and Webb are the ones that want it most.

Peja- no. Great shooter, was part of a very special team here, but I just don't see it.

Bibby- TBA - if he was traded tomorrow, I'd say no. Again, special part of a special team, but lacking that something that makes you think that noone could wear that jersey again. I'm leaving this open ended because as long as he's on the kings he has a chance to become that special someone. Once he steps up as a leader and brings us two championships in the next 4 years I'll go hang his jersey myself!

 

[kennadog]

Vlade and Chris, definitely. Others, I'd say no, tho I loved that whole team.

(What feels really unfinished for me, is Doug never got to say good-bye. Never got a well-deserved standing ovation in a return to Arco. That just feels sad/bad to me. )