Its 2002, Win Us That Title

[Bricklayer]

The year is 2002. The Western Conference Finals are about to begin between your Sacramento Kings and the 2x defending world champion Los Angeles Lakers.

But the Kings have a problem that has nothing to do with the refs. Starting SF and 2nd leading scorer Peja Stojakovic is out with a bad ankle, and will not return until late in the series to throw up an airball in Game 7. Peja himself did not have a reputation as a playoff warrior at that time, but in an epic series that went to a Game 7 OT, essentially losing your 2nd leading scorer for the series jumps out as maybe all the difference between losing an epic series, or going on to win the 2002 Championship (with such additional possible effects as guaranteeing Chris Webber's induction to the HOF, saving Rick Adelman's job in a few years, and building momentum for a new arena in Sacramento).

So here is the task -- win us that title. Peja is out for the series (and here we will just hold him out for the whole series). Pick any one Sacramento Kings SF, before or after that era, to put on the roster in place of Peja (and to take Hedo Turkoglu's minutes filling in) who you think would have given us the series and put us over the top.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

I went with Jim Jackson because from what I remember he was pretty clutch. Artest was still pretty young in 2002, that's why I didn't pick him.

 

[Bricklayer]

I went with Jim Jackson because from what I remember he was pretty clutch. Artest was still pretty young in 2002, that's why I didn't pick him.

Oh, I didn't mean how they were playing in 2002. Otherwise poor Eddie Johnson would have been like 45.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Oh, I didn't mean how they were playing in 2002. Otherwise poor Eddie Johnson would have been like 45.

I might still go with JJ because he was just an all around good player who wasn't afraid of big moments. I know Artest saved the Lakers in 2010 but that honestly seemed more like a fluke than anything else. When it comes down to that last shot in game 7 to prevent overtime, I'm cool with JJ taking that shot.

 

[Gary]

Artest.. He took his role well with the Lakers, and I am sure he would have done the same with CWebb..

 

[coolhandluke]

Jim Jackson, easily. The Kings, barring Bibby & BJax, lacked the balls to handle the pressure and go for the kill. A clutch guy like JJ, who plays both sides of the ball really well, would have made the difference.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Rodney McCray. OK, not the best shooter but an all-rounder who would have helped a lot. Could score, rebound extremely well and was a very good passer. He would have fit in well. Also happened to be a very good defender, something Peja was not.

 

[Return To Glory]

This is a hard choice. It would be fascinating to see how some of these players would fit into that 2002 team. I think Jim Jackson is an interesting option, but Ron Ron in that starting five would have a chance to be awesome. I think he would have created problems for all the wings on the Lakers. I also like his grit/toughness, especially in dealing with all that 2002 playoff pressure.

 

[est.1999]

Jim Jackson, easily.

 

[kingsnation]

IMO none of those guys put us over the top and get us past LA in 2002.

EDIT: In reading the poll question, "who gives us the best chance?" - I easily vote Artest. Defensive player of the years have a habit of being difference makers in the playoffs. However, Artest would've been suspended after Game 6 anyways...

 

[bajaden]

I had to go with Eddie Johnson. Terrific shooter, and a good defender. I know he won't win this poll because a lot of the folks here don't remember him, but he was a very good player, and he could be used in an almost similar fashion that Peja was used. Not quite the shooter Peja was, but damm close.

 

[Sluggah]

I want to say Artest...but the amount of BS that went on in that series might have pushed him over the edge. He'd be one nose fouling an elbow away from strangling Kobe at half court. The ensuing riot and suspensions would be unfortunate.

So, with the necessary skills and mental fortitude to handle the situation, I'm going with JJ.

 

[Telemachus]

I had to go with Eddie Johnson. He was a great shooter and would have filled the role Peja left very nicely. I was tempted to go with Simmons, but that team needed the perimeter help more IMO.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Yeah, got to go with EJ. Pretty much same reasons as Bajaden mentioned. Rodney McCray was pretty good in his day too, but the outside shooting EJ brings gives him the edge IMO.

 

[kingsboi]

Even though Ron was more koo koo back in 02, I'd still take him just because of his physical defense. He was a phenomenal defender and he still is, but nothing like Indiana Pacer Ron, body slamming players and pulling their shorts down.

 

[Fear the Putin]

I would definitely not pick the 2002 Artest, but rather the 05-06 Artest and even possibly 07' Artest. He mellowed out a bit after the brawl and had become a better shooter in addition to his already stellar defense.

Pre-brawl Artest would have been suspended by game 3 due to the physicality, intensity, and amount of pressure the series generated. Although, at the same time, I think Adelman could have kept him in check either way.

Artest would have slowed down Kobe in addition to bruising up the rest of the Lakers on the offensive end fighting for rebounds, positioning, etc.

 

[bozzwell]

None would do it. The fact that Peja was out led to Bibby taking up much larger role and consequently Kings doing better then they would with any of the alternatives or even with healthy Peja. We got robbed (by refs and out own bad luck). Besides, most of those guys would make 02 team worse off. Especially Artest.

 

[nebs]

I had to go with Eddie Johnson. Terrific shooter, and a good defender. I know he won't win this poll because a lot of the folks here don't remember him, but he was a very good player, and he could be used in an almost similar fashion that Peja was used. Not quite the shooter Peja was, but damm close.

Yep. EJ for me as well.

 

[Kingsguy881]

Had to give JJ the nod because of his overall toughness. He edged out EJ for me because EJ would have needed more shots to impact the game and JJ would have gotten in Kobes head by sleeping with Vanessa like he did Mashburn and Kidd with Toni Braxton. Plus JJ was an underrated shooter and I think he woulda out-prettied Rick Fox and maybe boinked the other Vanessa too and created all kinds of confusion and then kicked Fisher between his legs because JJ was gangster like that and can you imagine him letting Horry get off that shot and landing with both ankles still intact? I can't.

 

[Rookie]

It doesn't matter who you pick..you won't get pass the Zebras and the curse of Arco. But if I have to pick, I pick JJ as well.

 

[Agent23]

I'm gonna say move Doug Christie to the three and get the All Star MVP version of Mitch Richmond to play the 2. What do you guys think?

 

[LA King Fan II]

Bonzi Wells. I just remember how tough he was against San Antonio for the kings. Still think that if he and Artest could have stayed together the next year, the team would not have collapsed.