Peja needs to go

[Elektrik]

Gotta say it. cant hold it in anymore. Peja's got to go. His body language tells the whole story. He doesn't want to be here. His effort is pathetic. you can see that he shys away from every loose ball. He's afraid to foul anyone. His shot is off and it is a crime for a 6'10 forward to rebound like he does. If I were to ever see him dive for a loose ball I might just go into cardiac arrest. His heart is just not in it. I sense his teammates feel it too. i see fewer and fewer passes to him. If he isn't or can't play up to what he is capable of then I say adios. Unfortunatley, he has become the weak link. I have been feeling like this for quite a while but tonight was the straw that broke the camels back. I focused on him tonight and what I saw was not pretty. Rip me if you like but that's how I see it.

 

[love_them_kings]

Gotta say it. cant hold it in anymore. Peja's got to go. His body language tells the whole story. He doesn't want to be here. His effort is pathetic. you can see that he shys away from every loose ball. He's afraid to foul anyone. His shot is off and it is a crime for a 6'10 forward to rebound like he does. If I were to ever see him dive for a loose ball I might just go into cardiac arrest. His heart is just not in it. I sense his teammates feel it too. i see fewer and fewer passes to him. If he isn't or can't play up to what he is capable of then I say adios. Unfortunatley, he has become the weak link. I have been feeling like this for quite a while but tonight was the straw that broke the camels back. I focused on him tonight and what I saw was not pretty. Rip me if you like but that's how I see it.

Did you see him last night?

 

[SaCKiNgS24]

he just had a bad game, and thats coming from someone who dont like peja at all.

 

[shaka zulu]

cuttino needs to go his crunch time decisions are poor.His early good play is a Tease.He makes to many late Game mistakes.The kings have still not beat a western conference contender with cuttino.

 

[iheartBrad]

Peja had a off night...i personally don't think we lost because of that...we do have 4 other guys who are more than capable of lighting it up

 

[shaka zulu]

Gotta say it. cant hold it in anymore. Peja's got to go. His body language tells the whole story. He doesn't want to be here. His effort is pathetic. you can see that he shys away from every loose ball. He's afraid to foul anyone. His shot is off and it is a crime for a 6'10 forward to rebound like he does. If I were to ever see him dive for a loose ball I might just go into cardiac arrest. His heart is just not in it. I sense his teammates feel it too. i see fewer and fewer passes to him. If he isn't or can't play up to what he is capable of then I say adios. Unfortunatley, he has become the weak link. I have been feeling like this for quite a while but tonight was the straw that broke the camels back. I focused on him tonight and what I saw was not pretty. Rip me if you like but that's how I see it.

He had a subpar game.

 

[Bricklayer]

Okay, I am hardly the chairman of the "Peja is so hot and he has a pretty shot so we can never ever ever trade him or it will end my world" fanclub, but did you see the game last night?

That is why I am hesitant. Obviously if every night was like tongiht, no question. But every once in a while he looks like he cares, and he's still quite good when he does. Do not mind at all the idea that trading him might be the thing to do -- I have half a mind that way myself -- when you are accused of being soft, trading your softest payer is an obvious solution. But its not accurate to say that he's dogging it EVERY night. He sends out all sorts of mixed signals with his play.

 

[SaCKiNgS24]

reasons we lost brought to you by none other than the god himself. ME.

top of the list, GOALTENDING not being called! number two, webbers crucial FT misses. number three, peja not showing up. number four, bibby's wide open miss at the end of the game. other than that we played a solid game. one that could have gone both ways. apparantly the team has some issues it needs worked out, if we plan on being a contender. dont worry, WE WILL GET EM NEXT GAME!

 

[ReinadelosReys]

Pssst....

1) Peja has never rebounded well in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni
2) Peja has never gone after loose balls in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni
3) Peja has never been one to foul people in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni

For you to say his heart isn't in it, I don't know. I don't see it. Is it as enthused as past years? Ok, I'll give you that, but to insinuate that he is packing it in, is crazy. He has too much respect for the game, for Petrie, the Maloofs and ultimately his own career because in the end, if he were just "packing it in" and "going through the motion" he, himself would be the most affected.

 

[SacTownKid]

I agree that he needs to go, but for different reasons. While I believe the Kings can go all the way this year it will be very difficult with this starting 5. Too many Scorers and not enough athleticism.

Plus I was miffed when he went to the press and said he wanted a trade. There are chemistry issues and that show on the defensive end. There are trades that can be made that could be worth while, and Peja knows that. Peja also knows that while in Sacramento he will not get into the bargaining position he wants to be in come contract time.

I love the guy but he needs to go. Not b/c we lost four hard fought games but for the betterment of the team! Now that we have Mobley there just isn't enough shots. Brad suffers or Peja suffers.

 

[Elektrik]

Okay, I am hardly the chairman of the "Peja is so hot and he has a pretty shot so we can never ever ever trade him or it will end my world" fanclub, but did you see the game last night?

That is why I am hesitant. Obviously if every night was like tongiht, no question. But every once in a while he looks like he cares, and he's still quite good when he does. Do not mind at all the idea that trading him might be the thing to do -- I have half a mind that way myself -- when you are accused of being soft, trading your softest payer is an obvious solution. But its not accurate to say that he's dogging it EVERY night. He sends out all sorts of mixed signals with his play.

Yes I did see the game last night. He shot well. I didnt mean that he was dogging it every night. Only that he has been inconsistent and not near the level of play he has exhibited in past years. More importantly, is his body language. It appears to me that his passion for the game has waned. I see it alot. Not every game, but often. Am I seeing things? Maybe, but I don't think so.

 

[Gregorius]

I gotta say, these are crappy times to be Peja Stojakovich. His game is in a slump, and his best friend for many year left on his own free will. Maybe he thought for a while that he could be traded to LA so he could be back with Vlade again, but I don't think things are going too well between them anymore (did you guys hear about during one game vs. the Lakers Vlade was yelling, "Choke! Choke!" whenever Peja got the ball?) So, I dunno, it seems like Peja doesn't know what he's doing with his life anymore, or something. (Yeah, I know that seems cheezy, "doesn't know what he's doing with his life").

I really don't want to see Peja traded though, he's my favorite player when he's drilling those 3's and midrange fadeaways. I just think he's in a slump but should come out of it sometime. Hopefully he'll get a fire in his eyes sometime, somehow, hopefully sooner rather than later, but better later than never. I love Peja's game so much, and would hate to lose him.

 

[SacTownKid]

I gotta say, these are crappy times to be Peja Stojakovich. His game is in a slump, and his best friend for many year left on his own free will. Maybe he thought for a while that he could be traded to LA so he could be back with Vlade again, but I don't think things are going too well between them anymore (did you guys hear about during one game vs. the Lakers Vlade was yelling, "Choke! Choke!" whenever Peja got the ball?) So, I dunno, it seems like Peja doesn't know what he's doing with his life anymore, or something. (Yeah, I know that seems cheezy, "doesn't know what he's doing with his life").

I really don't want to see Peja traded though, he's my favorite player when he's drilling those 3's and midrange fadeaways. I just think he's in a slump but should come out of it sometime. Hopefully he'll get a fire in his eyes sometime, somehow, hopefully sooner rather than later, but better later than never. I love Peja's game so much, and would hate to lose him.

I feel the same way, and to see him go will probably be harder then Doug but something has to give. These problems aren't just consistent with this season. These have been the same problems for the last few seasons.

 

[vj9999]

I love the guy but he needs to go. Not b/c we lost four hard fought games but for the betterment of the team! Now that we have Mobley there just isn't enough shots. Brad suffers or Peja suffers.

Isn't that exactly what Peja said inhis trade demands? He pointed out that he think the team can get a good player in return for him and that he is willing to leave if it will make the team better!?

I don't care if anyone suffers with the amount of shots they take. As long as the shots that are taken go in.

Every night after a loss there will be a scapegoat. What impresses e with Peja is if he is not able to produce on offensive end, he still puts up a fight on defensive end (minus the rebounding). There are 4 players on this team that I don't want to see gone (not now at least) and those are Brad, Bibby, Webb and Peja.

 

[Elektrik]

Pssst....

1) Peja has never rebounded well in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni
2) Peja has never gone after loose balls in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni
3) Peja has never been one to foul people in all of his 7 yrs in the NBA and in a Kings uni

For you to say his heart isn't in it, I don't know. I don't see it. Is it as enthused as past years? Ok, I'll give you that, but to insinuate that he is packing it in, is crazy. He has too much respect for the game, for Petrie, the Maloofs and ultimately his own career because in the end, if he were just "packing it in" and "going through the motion" he, himself would be the most affected.

1-He rebounds less than ever
2-He goes after fewer loose balls than ever
3-Peja fouls less than ever

I agree that he respects the game. As do all the Kings players. However, being human it is natural for someone to not be as productive or to reach their potential when they are unhappy about the situation they are in whether they are professional or not. Peja already told us he want s out.
He may be trying but as I said before, I just don't feel his heart is still with this team. Hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am.

 

[VF21]

Pedja and Cat are a part of the Kings.

I am truly stunned at some of the comments a couple of you seem so quick to blurt out about them.

...

 

[VF21]

If anyone's heart isn't with the team, I would strongly suspect it's not the players.

 

[SacTownKid]

Isn't that exactly what Peja said inhis trade demands? He pointed out that he think the team can get a good player in return for him and that he is willing to leave if it will make the team better!?

He was right when he said it. Now that we're 50 games into the season I think we can now get a read on what this team is about. This starting 5 is too redundent, esp. now that Cat's on the team. They have too many shooters and not enough shots. Sometimes I wish there was one less shooter out there on the floor. Its very hard for shooters to make a shot, then wait four possessions to shoot again, and be consistent.


I will agree with VF21 when she said that she is shocked b/c it isn't about somebody sucking or anthing personal! its more about finding the right pieces to complete the puzzle. Peja would be better off on a team where he knows how many shot attempts he will get every night so he will be able to find his rhythm.

 

[KingKong]

Peja needs to stay but he needs to hustle his butt off out there every game, especially when his shots aren't falling. He cannot take games off as evidenced this entire season. He needs to become more vocal and demand the ball. He doesn't seem to be disinterested but instead gets lost out there on offense. I love Peja but he cannot have single digit games out there. Peja needs to stay but become more involved.

 

[Bricklayer]

Okay look, truth now. It has to be out in the open, so just going to say it:

Peja is a SOFT player. He has every soft trait imaginable. He does not rebound. He does not hustle. He does not fight back. He does not show up in the playoffs. He gets taken out of his game by aggressive defenders. He's soft. Its everything as a fan you HATE to see in a player.

And when you're a team and a fanbase sick of being soft all of that screams trade him, trade him now, and never look back.

BUT, he's also a heck of a talent. One of the finest shooters ever. And of all of the guys not named Webber on the Kings the guy who is best suited to be a primary weapon. He's not a superstar. Never will be. Doesn't make others better. Plays the game for and within himself. Not a passer. Not a help defender. All of that is true. But with Webber aging Peja is the best thing we have going as an eventual replacement for a primary scorer. If you're going to move him you better get back a SERIOUS player. This team, here today, can afford to trade Peja. With Cat on board we have enough shooting to survive without him. But we're REALLY dangerous with him. And the time is ticking on the Webber era, and none of the other guys (Bibby/Brad/mobley) etc. are #1 options on a great team.

 

[GoGoGadget]

If anyone's heart isn't with the team, I would strongly suspect it's not the players.

I heartily concur.

 

[SacTownKid]

Okay look, truth now. It has to be out in the open, so just going to say it:

Peja is a SOFT player. He has every soft trait imaginable. He does not rebound. He does not hustle. He does not fight back. He does not show up in the playoffs. He gets taken out of his game by aggressive defenders. He's soft. Its everything as a fan you HATE to see in a player.

And when you're a team and a fanbase sick of being soft all of that screams trade him, trade him now, and never look back.

BUT, he's also a heck of a talent. One of the finest shooters ever. And of all of the guys not named Webber on the Kings the guy who is best suited to be a primary weapon. He's not a superstar. Never will be. Doesn't make others better. Plays the game for and within himself. Not a passer. Not a help defender. All of that is true. But with Webber aging Peja is the best thing we have going as an eventual replacement for a primary scorer. If you're going to move him you better get back a SERIOUS player. This team, here today, can afford to trade Peja. With Cat on board we have enough shooting to survive without him. But we're REALLY dangerous with him. And the time is ticking on the Webber era, and none of the other guys (Bibby/Brad/mobley) etc. are #1 options on a great team.

Bibby could be a number one option on a great team and so could Peja. Peja is not a soft player. He just isn't the type of player that will get back at you by shutting you down on defense. He will get you back by nailing back to back threes right in your face. On a team where he is the number one option he could and would do that.

 

[KP]

If anyone's heart isn't with the team, I would strongly suspect it's not the players.

So true.^

 

[Elektrik]

If anyone's heart isn't with the team, I would strongly suspect it's not the players.

Typical VF21 A perfectly healthy debate going on, worthy of discussion as can be seen by the number of reponses so quickly. Done with respect towards contradicting points of view by all parties and then the vague attacks towards posters whose opinion you dont agree with.
Is it just your way to steer a converstion away from a subject you don't want to be discussed or are the rose colored glasses just darker than ever? Sheesh.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

BUT, he's also a heck of a talent. One of the finest shooters ever. This team, here today, can afford to trade Peja. With Cat on board we have enough shooting to survive without him. But we're REALLY dangerous with him. And the time is ticking on the Webber era, and none of the other guys (Bibby/Brad/mobley) etc. are #1 options on a great team.

But see, its going to happen. I can already see the formations of it. Sooner or later, this team is going to click, and I mean really click. Either the teams we have faced the last couple of weeks are just really poor defensively, or as I suspect, we are getting our offense back. You know the "you can't stop us offense." The " we can pass better than anyone in the NBA and when you can pass like us you are capable of making any defense look stupid" type of offense. Sooner of later, and mind you we do only have 30 something games left, Peja is going to get it going, Cat, Bibby, Brad, Webb everyone. Call me a homer if you want, but I think I see it coming.

 

[KP]

Typical VF21 A perfectly healthy debate going on, worthy of discussion as can be seen by the number of reponses so quickly. Done with respect towards contradicting points of view by all parties and then the vague attacks towards posters whose opinion you dont agree with.
Is it just your way to steer a converstion away from a subject you don't want to be discussed or are the rose colored glasses just darker than ever? Sheesh.

It's not just typical VF several of us agreed with her. What is your problem anyways? Your talking about rose colored glasses when you are fricking blind.

 

[SacTownKid]

Typical VF21 A perfectly healthy debate going on, worthy of discussion as can be seen by the number of reponses so quickly. Done with respect towards contradicting points of view by all parties and then the vague attacks towards posters whose opinion you dont agree with.
Is it just your way to steer a converstion away from a subject you don't want to be discussed or are the rose colored glasses just darker than ever? Sheesh.

I agree at least as far as this thread is concerned. Most of the people in this thread have offered constructive critisism. But I also agree with VF when people start repeatedly bashing the players personally.

 

[VF21]

Typical VF21 A perfectly healthy debate going on, worthy of discussion as can be seen by the number of reponses so quickly. Done with respect towards contradicting points of view by all parties and then the vague attacks towards posters whose opinion you dont agree with.
Is it just your way to steer a converstion away from a subject you don't want to be discussed or are the rose colored glasses just darker than ever? Sheesh.

Typical of you, too. And not worth further comment.

 

[iheartBrad]

But see, its going to happen. I can already see the formations of it. Sooner or later, this team is going to click, and I mean really click. Either the teams we have faced the last couple of weeks are just really poor defensively, or as I suspect, we are getting our offense back. You know the "you can't stop us offense." The " we can pass better than anyone in the NBA and when you can pass like us you are capable of making any defense look stupid" type of offense. Sooner of later, and mind you we do only have 30 something games left, Peja is going to get it going, Cat, Bibby, Brad, Webb everyone. Call me a homer if you want, but I think I see it coming.

wait! let me put on my glasses...:: puts on glasses::

oh yup mmhmm i see it coming too

 

[KiNgMyC]

I hate these pointless topics...