Peja joins Kings Front Office?

#31
Great idea.
Lets have the old team win championship just as a part of the front office.
They might even have scrimages with the youngsters, sort of Kings version of old stars vs new stars.

Christie, Bibby, Webber... Any plans this year :)
 
#32
Peja was a major threat from the three point line. Before the back injury he defended Dirk as well as anyone. I think Peja did benefit from playing with three of the best passing Big men ever. Vlade, CWebb and Brad Miller made many of their assists when Peja popped the twine. Who remembers all those back door cuts with Doug Christie dishing the ball?

I like having former players in the Kings Front Office. IMO it helps balance out the Analytics guys.

I think what Peja accomplished in his career is shown in the numbers.

Peja's career three point percentage = .401
Ray Allen = .400
Reggie Miller = .395


I think it is easy to forget that Peja was much more than a 3 point shooter. Look for the steals, last second shots and that sweet behind the back pass:

 
#34
Trade worked for a while too until Ron Ron's inherent instability and our looming descent into a decade of rampant incompetence led us into the tank. But at the time it was made Ron actually had more game left than did Peja. Was almost an actual franchise player for a few years. Just obviously about the very most unstable near franchise player you could possibly try to build around.
Speaking of instability (and unpredictably), I wonder if Ron's wife or ex-wife still has that frying pan she used to break out the front window of Ron's Hummer?
 
#37
I love the idea of having Peja around, but what is he actually qualified to do in the front office?
What are you talking about? It's Peja stinking Stojakovic! I would hire him to do anything, anyplace, with anyone, any way he wanted whenever he wanted! It's Peja! He's like the Chuck Norris of the NBA; except Peja is the only man to ever defeat Chuck Norris in hand to hand combat!
 
#38
I love the idea of having Peja around, but what is he actually qualified to do in the front office?
I totally feel this point, but the more I've been thinking about it the more I like having ex-NBA stars littered about the front office, and those execs probably don't do jack pace anyhow.

If mean if you are an NBA player - one of the world's supreme athletes - there is nothing wrong with having guys in charge of your organization who "feel ya" - who have been there done that, played 82 game schedules and playoff games, earned accolades. Try to build a cool culture and eventually we will be a "destination" for star FA's. I sure hope they are spiffing up that home locker room like nobody's business.

Peja has credibility - and he probably won't hurt anything. I think it will be fine if he takes some of Vivek's change to the bank.

The guy I'm really rooting for - to see him on the coaching staff or FO, is Doug Christie. Miles ahead of Bobby Jackson as far as I'm concerned. But there doesn't seem to be much of a campaign for him.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#39
I can see how Peja might "sell" a foreign player into wanting to play for the Kings; same thing holds for Vlade. Other than that, I don't see what he's going to bring to the table. I'd be much more impressed if Divac starts to steal some of the brain trust from the Spurs organization.
 
#40
What are you talking about? It's Peja stinking Stojakovic! I would hire him to do anything, anyplace, with anyone, any way he wanted whenever he wanted! It's Peja! He's like the Chuck Norris of the NBA; except Peja is the only man to ever defeat Chuck Norris in hand to hand combat!
Just being Peja isn't quite enough. Don't get me wrong, it was the Vlade & Peja show that drew me to the Kings in the first place, but I'd feel better if I knew his role, and that he's qualified for that role. A reunion in the FO is fine, so long as that FO functions, not just a few former Kings getting another paycheck.
 
K

Kingsguy881

Guest
#42
If I had to guess, I think Peja would be a sort of player development/international ambassador type role player. Help with shooting and mechanics, help with scouting international prospects. Pejas shooting stroke was very unorthodox, he brought it from very low and kind of flung it. If we still had tyreke I think he could have done wonders for his shooting stroke. Nobody could set their feet quite like Peja.
 
#43
IMO, cronyism and waste of money if he is being hired for no other reason other than being Vlade's trusted friend. If he is qualified, then go Vlade. But if he is just about going to learn the unspecified job at the FO, then I'd rather Vlade hire someone with actual experience for now, or have Peja within the FO like an intern.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#44
I totally feel this point, but the more I've been thinking about it the more I like having ex-NBA stars littered about the front office, and those execs probably don't do jack pace anyhow.

If mean if you are an NBA player - one of the world's supreme athletes - there is nothing wrong with having guys in charge of your organization who "feel ya" - who have been there done that, played 82 game schedules and playoff games, earned accolades. Try to build a cool culture and eventually we will be a "destination" for star FA's. I sure hope they are spiffing up that home locker room like nobody's business.

Peja has credibility - and he probably won't hurt anything. I think it will be fine if he takes some of Vivek's change to the bank.

The guy I'm really rooting for - to see him on the coaching staff or FO, is Doug Christie. Miles ahead of Bobby Jackson as far as I'm concerned. But there doesn't seem to be much of a campaign for him.
Doug has already been involved to some extent. I like listening to him do pre- and post-game commentary with Kayte and Jason. I hope that continues. :)
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
#45
IMO, cronyism and waste of money if he is being hired for no other reason other than being Vlade's trusted friend. If he is qualified, then go Vlade. But if he is just about going to learn the unspecified job at the FO, then I'd rather Vlade hire someone with actual experience for now, or have Peja within the FO like an intern.
See the response of Kingsguy881 right above your post.

I say let Vlade bring in whomever he thinks will help the team. It can't be any worse than having Chris Mullin hanging around.
 
#47
IMO, cronyism and waste of money if he is being hired for no other reason other than being Vlade's trusted friend. If he is qualified, then go Vlade. But if he is just about going to learn the unspecified job at the FO, then I'd rather Vlade hire someone with actual experience for now, or have Peja within the FO like an intern.
We got Rondo because of croneyism.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#49
There's nothing wrong with bringing in people you trust, as long as you don't sacrifice competence in doing so. If bringing in people you trust means bringing in people who always agree with you, you're sacrificing legitimate debate for groupthink.
 
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#50
There's nothing wrong with bringing in people you trust, as long as you don't sacrifice competence in doing so. If bringing in people you trust mean bringing in people who always agree with you, you're sacrificing legitimate debate for groupthink.
I understand the challenge of legitimate debate vs. groupthink; I would hope that someone like Peja or BJax would be an asset to debate as Vlade is unlikely to toss them out on their ear... but you never know.
 
#51
Who cares about croneyism in the NBA? Not sure that when you are building a team that is effectively "Us vs. the world", which is how pro sports are set up, that bringing in people you like, know, and trust is a bad thing at all.
Exactly. This is not the technology sector. Plus, Peja played the game pretty darn well. And don't give that he didn't play defense. He was an above average defender for his position and for his physical limitations. Extremely smart defensive player and team defender, while also running CONSTANTLY on offense.
 

bajaden

Hall of Famer
#52
We got Rondo because of croneyism.
I actually posted this in a different thread, but it really should have been posted here:
When a new coach is hired, usually during the off-season, its expected that he'll clean house and bring in his own assistants. No one calls it cronyism. A new head coach is going to want people around him that he trusts, and that know what he expects. I don't see anything different about the hiring of a new GM, or president of operations. What ever title you want to give the position. Vivek's problem from the start, was that he did everything backwards. He went ahead and did the hiring that a GM usually does, and then hired the GM. He didn't do it just once, he did it twice. First with PDA, and then with Vlade. Of course in Vlade's case, he didn't have a lot of choice.

Obviously PDA wouldn't have hired Malone, since he did everything in his power to get him fired. None of that drama would have occurred had Vivek hired PDA first. It doesn't matter that we liked Malone, my point is we never would have had the chance to like or dislike him if Vivek had followed the norm. Then he went and hired Vlade in essentially the same role, but with a different title. And as Bricky stated, Vlade inherited a den of snakes, some hired by PDA, and some hired by Vivek. So what was he to do. He was the true outsider.

The answer of course is start weeding out who is loyal and whose not. So far it looks like Mike Bratz is the going to be the only holdover when the smoke clears. Personally, I don't have a problem with that, but of course the national media, is going to feed off any little thing that looks out of place in sacramento. I'm sure that Vlade knows this, will apply a little more sunscreen, and once done, probably take a well deserved vacation. As for hiring Peja. Yes, he's someone that Vlade trusts, so can you blame him? You get tired of looking over your shoulder all the time, never knowing where the next blow is coming from. I don't care what Peja's position will be. Hell, make him director of international scouting. Does it matter? So we have to buy one more roll around chair for the conference room. Big deal! As long as it brings stability to the franchise, I'm on board.

We, and by we, I'm speaking in general, can criticize Vlade. We can dissect his moves and hires. He''s fair game because of the position he holds. My advice to him, is to do it his way. When you get your chance to lead, you have to have a plan, and that plan should emphasize your agenda, whatever that may be. If your going to be successful or if your going to fail, you want to do it your way. It's hard, because believe me, your going to get a lot of advice from so called experienced people, and sometimes, it's bad advice. Orson Wells made Citizen Kane. It is lauded by some as the best movie of all time. When he directed that movie, he had no experience as a director, and he decided to go against the advice of every known expert in Hollywood. At the end of the day, you don't want to hear Frank Sinatra singing, I did his way!
 
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hrdboild

Moloch in whom I dream Angels!
Staff member
#53
I actually posted this in a different thread, but it really should have been posted here:
When a new coach is hired, usually during the off-season, its expected that he'll clean house and bring in his own assistants. No one calls it cronyism. A new head coach is going to want people around him that he trusts, and that know what he expects. I don't see anything different about the hiring of a new GM, or president of operations. What ever title you want to give the position. Vivek's problem from the start, was that he did everything backwards. He went ahead and did the hiring that a GM usually does, and then hired the GM. He didn't do it just once, he did it twice. First with PDA, and then with Vlade. Of course in Vlade's case, he didn't have a lot of choice.

Obviously PDA wouldn't have hired Malone, since he did everything in his power to get him fired. None of that drama would have occurred had Vivek hired PDA first. It doesn't matter that we liked Malone, my point is we never would have had the chance to like or dislike him if Vivek had followed the norm. Then he went and hired Vlade in essentially the same role, but with a different title. And as Bricky stated, Vlade inherited a den of snakes, some hired by PDA, and some hired by Vivek. So what was he to do. He was the true outsider.

The answer of course is start weeding out who is loyal and whose not. So far it looks like Mike Bratz is the going to be the only holdover when the smoke clears. Personally, I don't have a problem with that, but of course the national media, is going to feed off any little thing that looks out of place in sacramento. I'm sure that Vlade knows this, will apply a little more sunscreen, and once done, probably take a well deserved vacation. As for hiring Peja. Yes, he's someone that Vlade trusts, so can you blame him? You get tired of looking over your shoulder all the time, never knowing where the next blow is coming from. I don't care what Peja's position will be. Hell, make him director of international scouting. Does it matter? So we have to buy one more roll around chair for the conference room. Big deal! As long as it brings stability to the franchise, I'm on board.

We, and by we, I'm speaking in general, can criticize Vlade. We can dissect his moves and hires. He''s fair game because of the position he holds. My advice to him, is to do it his way. When you get your chance to lead, you have to have a plan, and that plan should emphasis your agenda, whatever that may be. If your going to be successful or if your going to fail, you want to do it your way. It's hard, because believe me, your going to get a lot of advice from so called experienced people, and sometimes, it's bad advice. Orson Wells made Citizen Kane. It is lauded by some as the best movie of all time. When he directed that movie, he had no experience as a director, and he decided to go against the advice of every known expert in Hollywood. At the end of the day, you don't want to hear Frank Sinatra singing, I did his way!
Preach it my friend! 100% agreed on all points, and well stated at that. Bravo.
 
K

Kingsguy881

Guest
#54
I actually posted this in a different thread, but it really should have been posted here:
When a new coach is hired, usually during the off-season, its expected that he'll clean house and bring in his own assistants. No one calls it cronyism. A new head coach is going to want people around him that he trusts, and that know what he expects. I don't see anything different about the hiring of a new GM, or president of operations. What ever title you want to give the position. Vivek's problem from the start, was that he did everything backwards. He went ahead and did the hiring that a GM usually does, and then hired the GM. He didn't do it just once, he did it twice. First with PDA, and then with Vlade. Of course in Vlade's case, he didn't have a lot of choice.

Obviously PDA wouldn't have hired Malone, since he did everything in his power to get him fired. None of that drama would have occurred had Vivek hired PDA first. It doesn't matter that we liked Malone, my point is we never would have had the chance to like or dislike him if Vivek had followed the norm. Then he went and hired Vlade in essentially the same role, but with a different title. And as Bricky stated, Vlade inherited a den of snakes, some hired by PDA, and some hired by Vivek. So what was he to do. He was the true outsider.

The answer of course is start weeding out who is loyal and whose not. So far it looks like Mike Bratz is the going to be the only holdover when the smoke clears. Personally, I don't have a problem with that, but of course the national media, is going to feed off any little thing that looks out of place in sacramento. I'm sure that Vlade knows this, will apply a little more sunscreen, and once done, probably take a well deserved vacation. As for hiring Peja. Yes, he's someone that Vlade trusts, so can you blame him? You get tired of looking over your shoulder all the time, never knowing where the next blow is coming from. I don't care what Peja's position will be. Hell, make him director of international scouting. Does it matter? So we have to buy one more roll around chair for the conference room. Big deal! As long as it brings stability to the franchise, I'm on board.

We, and by we, I'm speaking in general, can criticize Vlade. We can dissect his moves and hires. He''s fair game because of the position he holds. My advice to him, is to do it his way. When you get your chance to lead, you have to have a plan, and that plan should emphasis your agenda, whatever that may be. If your going to be successful or if your going to fail, you want to do it your way. It's hard, because believe me, your going to get a lot of advice from so called experienced people, and sometimes, it's bad advice. Orson Wells made Citizen Kane. It is lauded by some as the best movie of all time. When he directed that movie, he had no experience as a director, and he decided to go against the advice of every known expert in Hollywood. At the end of the day, you don't want to hear Frank Sinatra singing, I did his way!
Like it or not, my friend, one of your best posts ever, and there have been some good ones.
 

Kingster

Hall of Famer
#56
Stability is not the final end goal; excellence is. Stability is just one of many means toward the end of excellence. We may feel that stability is the godsend for our prayers, given the fact that we've lived in chaos for a decade, but it's a fairly mundane attribute for a franchise.

Vlade is getting advice - from Pop, from Reilly, and from the mysterious anonymous ex-NBA executive with a legal background. I think that it is wise for a rookie to solicit advice from those he can learn from; in essence he's learning from their experience, and that is especially important for someone with so little experience.