Peja Stojakovic: King For Life?
- Thread starter Purple Reign
- Start date
At least he *couldn't* be shut down in the playoffs, that is until 2005. Or was that just a disappearing act? And which is better, btw?
Those things are a bit off topic at this point as Bibby already has his big contract. Peja just happens to be looking for big dough at a time when the Maloofs have realized that they can't just buy a title, and have decided that fiscal responsibility in sports is a good thing (just look at the Spurs).
Those things are a bit off topic at this point as Bibby already has his big contract. Peja just happens to be looking for big dough at a time when the Maloofs have realized that they can't just buy a title, and have decided that fiscal responsibility in sports is a good thing (just look at the Spurs).
Bibby had what was probably the worst game of his life in the play offs but it's like VF said he was exhausted. One game out of how ever many he's played for us is a damn good average and even though I was not happy about it, I was not that surprised. He really stepped up when Chris left, what did Peja do?
loopy-Bibby was shooting in the 45-46% range when he was playing with Webber although his PPG increased. In the month of March, it dropped to 39% although his assists rose while his rebounds dropped. He responded by shooting 43% from the field in April. Needless to say, his PPG increased but that was due to increased shots.
Mike NEEDS a strong big man to play the two man game with to be most effective. He also thrived off the ball letting Webb run the offense with his ability to catch and shoot. There is no doubt that losing Webb, and then losing Brad as a poor man's replacement within the space of a week, badly impacted Bibby's game (also why trading Brad in the offseason is questionable, because losing him impacts Mike as well). There was a time there when Bibby went on that ridiculous "I am LeBron" 25pt 6ast 5reb streak throughout February where I briefly had hoped that maybe we did have a true #1 replacement afterall, even if it was our PG (which can be a major problem because the rest of the team does not get involved). But Mike got exposed a bit down the stretch just as Peja has been exposed, and if we get anymore exposed here we're going to be completely naked and get ourselves arrested for indecency.
Peja is an ok #2, but his lack of creativity, for himself or others, and tendency to disappear when needed make him less than ideal for such an important post. Puts a tremendous amount of pressure on his #1 to not only create for himself, but also for Peja and the rest fo the team. Peja would be an amazing #3, let's say on the wing alongside Shaq and Wade for instance (although the Glen Rice/Shaq/Kobe experiment is a definite cautionary tale there) -- no responsibility, pour in points when you're feeling it but no need to create, and if you're being squeezed and feeling the pressure, plenty of others to do the heavy lifting.
Mike could be a #2 at the level of a Manu maybe if he had a true superstud #1, but his best role is also as a #3 I think. He's a PG, so having him be one of your big scorers is always a bit of a problem anyway, but more than that, I think he's better when there is not a constant, gnawing pressure on him to be great and score big every night. Settle back, score in the mid to high teens, pick your spots, stick your jumpers, step up in the clutch. Be a topflight #3 in almost any system. Of course the problem would be that if you had a true #1 and #2 they would dominate the ball and Mike would only get scraps.
Brad is a #3, and maybe even a #4 given his reluctance to step up and shoot and frequent disappearing acts. Excellent complimentary act, but you can't be yelling at one of our main guns to shoot the damn ball.
IF you had a true superstar type #1, Peja as a #2/#3, Mike as a #2/#3, Brad as a #4 would give you a very strong squad (on offense at least) capable of making some noise. Perhaps a superstar PF as the #1 for instance and youo might be able to do things like win 61 games and go to the WCF. But that mythical superstar #1 is the guy you pay the max to, not the supporting cast.
Peja is an ok #2, but his lack of creativity, for himself or others, and tendency to disappear when needed make him less than ideal for such an important post. Puts a tremendous amount of pressure on his #1 to not only create for himself, but also for Peja and the rest fo the team. Peja would be an amazing #3, let's say on the wing alongside Shaq and Wade for instance (although the Glen Rice/Shaq/Kobe experiment is a definite cautionary tale there) -- no responsibility, pour in points when you're feeling it but no need to create, and if you're being squeezed and feeling the pressure, plenty of others to do the heavy lifting.
Mike could be a #2 at the level of a Manu maybe if he had a true superstud #1, but his best role is also as a #3 I think. He's a PG, so having him be one of your big scorers is always a bit of a problem anyway, but more than that, I think he's better when there is not a constant, gnawing pressure on him to be great and score big every night. Settle back, score in the mid to high teens, pick your spots, stick your jumpers, step up in the clutch. Be a topflight #3 in almost any system. Of course the problem would be that if you had a true #1 and #2 they would dominate the ball and Mike would only get scraps.
Brad is a #3, and maybe even a #4 given his reluctance to step up and shoot and frequent disappearing acts. Excellent complimentary act, but you can't be yelling at one of our main guns to shoot the damn ball.
IF you had a true superstar type #1, Peja as a #2/#3, Mike as a #2/#3, Brad as a #4 would give you a very strong squad (on offense at least) capable of making some noise. Perhaps a superstar PF as the #1 for instance and youo might be able to do things like win 61 games and go to the WCF. But that mythical superstar #1 is the guy you pay the max to, not the supporting cast.
Last edited:
dbl07-We can't throw money at other players because we have Bird rules with Peja and we don't have it with other players. While I'd love to give Lebron or Wade a max contract, it's going to be tough with our cap situation. Now I will agree that Peja doesn't deserve max money, but we have a couple of situations, we could trade him this year, we could sign him next year for a large amount of money, we could sign and trade him or we could let him leave. The last one is the only situation I'm really concerned about because if we just let him go, we're left high and dry and honestly even without him we can't sign anyone due to multiple large contracts.
VF21 said:
Before or after his international temper tantrum announcing he wanted to be traded anywhere rather than remain a King?
AleksandarN - I respect you and I'm not going to beat the dead horse about this. NO ONE but Peja actually knows WHY he said what he said. I applaud your loyalty to him through thick and thin.
My statement is correct as it stands. He did, via Ailene Voisin while in Serbia, state that he wanted to be traded from the Kings and that he didn't care where he went. He said he did not want to remain a King.
MY POINT wasn't what he said. It was in response to SacTownKid:
I didn't twist anything and I didn't assign any value to Peja's statements. You did...
My statement is correct as it stands. He did, via Ailene Voisin while in Serbia, state that he wanted to be traded from the Kings and that he didn't care where he went. He said he did not want to remain a King.
MY POINT wasn't what he said. It was in response to SacTownKid:
I didn't twist anything and I didn't assign any value to Peja's statements. You did...
i'd love to see peja a king for life, but no way in hell is he worth a max contract. maybe if he rebounded like a 6'10'' player should ( MAYBE)
i peja can play like he did last year before webber comes back, he is worth a sheed like contract. otherwise, 2-3 mill less per year.
this shall be an intresting decision the maloofs make next year.
i peja can play like he did last year before webber comes back, he is worth a sheed like contract. otherwise, 2-3 mill less per year.
this shall be an intresting decision the maloofs make next year.
I don't think it has anything to do with the coach.
If anything, I strongly suspect that VLADE was the real impetus behind Peja and actually was perhaps the only one who could get him to step up his game. AND we all know Vlade was extremely generous in getting passes to Peja, making sure Peja got the looks, etc. Without a "VLADE" on our team, Peja may never again be the player he was when Divac was around...
If anything, I strongly suspect that VLADE was the real impetus behind Peja and actually was perhaps the only one who could get him to step up his game. AND we all know Vlade was extremely generous in getting passes to Peja, making sure Peja got the looks, etc. Without a "VLADE" on our team, Peja may never again be the player he was when Divac was around...
Very true VF and I agree (side note LGV IS OPEN WOOOOT)... I was just tossing the question out to get other opinions as to what has happened with Peja.
We all know Peja has the offensive skill and also is a decent individual defender. Just wanting to hear other opinions as to why his development has kind of been stagnant the last 2 years.
At his age I find it hard to believe he has already reached his potential. Not really sure what to think but to me it can only be 2 things... Work ethic or Coaching.
We all know Peja has the offensive skill and also is a decent individual defender. Just wanting to hear other opinions as to why his development has kind of been stagnant the last 2 years.
At his age I find it hard to believe he has already reached his potential. Not really sure what to think but to me it can only be 2 things... Work ethic or Coaching.
For what it's worth, I think people are judging Peja by THEIR expectations and not his. Quite frankly, I do not think he has the internal hunger that a lot of NBA athletes have. I also think the most important thing to him was winning the International Title with Vlade and his country's team, which he did.
I suspect - for Peja - the NBA is more about a job than a lifelong dream come true.
I'm not saying that's wrong in any way, shape or form. It's just something I think we need to consider. Peja is Peja, not Larry Bird or Reggie Miller or even Kobe Bryant. He simply isn't driven by the same "demons" some of the best to ever play the game seem to possess...
Just my three cents.
I suspect - for Peja - the NBA is more about a job than a lifelong dream come true.
I'm not saying that's wrong in any way, shape or form. It's just something I think we need to consider. Peja is Peja, not Larry Bird or Reggie Miller or even Kobe Bryant. He simply isn't driven by the same "demons" some of the best to ever play the game seem to possess...
Just my three cents.
I don't think any of us want him to do poorly, chelle... We would all like to see him step up and have a banner year, although keep in mind if he does, it will be talked about as being a "contract year performance."
I think some of us are just not willing to pay him a maximum contract on speculation. At this point, even if he repeated the best year he's had as a pro, he is simply not IMHO worth that much money.
I think some of us are just not willing to pay him a maximum contract on speculation. At this point, even if he repeated the best year he's had as a pro, he is simply not IMHO worth that much money.
Why do people talk about Peja as if he is still young? He's middleaged at this point in basketball terms, and may very well have more years behind him than he does ahead of him.
And its not 2 years since he significantly improved, its 5. He's added subtelty here and there, but he was very much what he is today by the time of his breakout season. This constant wait for that young fast-approaching-30 "kid" Peja Stojakovic to suddenly blossom and become something he's never been in 15+ years of playing organized basketball remains both baffling and more than a little frustrating. Peja significantly improved his defense in his first few years in the league, was underrated for a few years afterward, and in the last year or two people have finally caught up and noticed he's does a solid job, man to man at least. He's NEVER developed a significant ont he ball offensive game. Never developed a post game. Until this past season's plummet, his rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, turnover, personal fouls, clutch eprformances, ability to beat tough defenders, hustle, leadership, shooting percentages...even scoring had remained very static per minute. He has, or had been, one of the most consistent and clearly topped out players in the entire league.
And yet here we are, AGAIN, Year 7 now of this insane "Peja watch" pondering risking the franchise over him by going into the final season of his contract with him unsigned so he can prove himself. And of course, if he does, he can just walk away to somebody's else's big money if he wants and leave us completely screwed.
Per 48 Min
'99 48gms 18.8pts (.378 FG% .320 3pt% .851 FT%) 6.7reb 3.4ast 2.0stls 0.2blks 2.5TO
'00 74gms 24.2pts (.448 FG% .375 3pt% .882 FT%) 7.5reb 2.8ast 1.4stls 0.2blks 2.4TO
'01 75gms 25.3pts (.470 FG% .400 3pt% .856 FT%) 7.1reb 2.2ast 1.5stls 0.3blks 2.4TO
'02 71gms 27.3pts (.484 FG% .416 3pt% .876 FT%) 6.7reb 3.2ast 1.4stls 0.3blks 2.6TO
'03 72gms 27.1pts (.481 FG% .382 3pt% .875 FT%) 7.8reb 2.8ast 1.4stls 0.1blks 2.0TO
'04 81gms 28.8pts (.480 FG% .433 3pt% .927 FT%) 7.4reb 2.5ast 1.5stls 0.2blks 2.3TO
'05 66gms 25.1pts (.444 FG% .402 3pt% .920 FT%) 5.4reb 2.6ast 1.5stls 0.3blks 1.9TO
Admirable consistency, but what exactly are we waiting for here? This die is cast.
P.S. Peja's defense is what it is -- his individual defense is about as good as you could expect from an unathletic player of his ilk -- he plays smart position defense to make up for his lack of quickness. His lack of team defense, rebounding, and hustle is all about heart, or lack thereof. Its not a skill thing, or a taught thing. Its innate. You're either tough and competitive, or you're not. You're either scared or you're not.
And its not 2 years since he significantly improved, its 5. He's added subtelty here and there, but he was very much what he is today by the time of his breakout season. This constant wait for that young fast-approaching-30 "kid" Peja Stojakovic to suddenly blossom and become something he's never been in 15+ years of playing organized basketball remains both baffling and more than a little frustrating. Peja significantly improved his defense in his first few years in the league, was underrated for a few years afterward, and in the last year or two people have finally caught up and noticed he's does a solid job, man to man at least. He's NEVER developed a significant ont he ball offensive game. Never developed a post game. Until this past season's plummet, his rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, turnover, personal fouls, clutch eprformances, ability to beat tough defenders, hustle, leadership, shooting percentages...even scoring had remained very static per minute. He has, or had been, one of the most consistent and clearly topped out players in the entire league.
And yet here we are, AGAIN, Year 7 now of this insane "Peja watch" pondering risking the franchise over him by going into the final season of his contract with him unsigned so he can prove himself. And of course, if he does, he can just walk away to somebody's else's big money if he wants and leave us completely screwed.
Per 48 Min
'99 48gms 18.8pts (.378 FG% .320 3pt% .851 FT%) 6.7reb 3.4ast 2.0stls 0.2blks 2.5TO
'00 74gms 24.2pts (.448 FG% .375 3pt% .882 FT%) 7.5reb 2.8ast 1.4stls 0.2blks 2.4TO
'01 75gms 25.3pts (.470 FG% .400 3pt% .856 FT%) 7.1reb 2.2ast 1.5stls 0.3blks 2.4TO
'02 71gms 27.3pts (.484 FG% .416 3pt% .876 FT%) 6.7reb 3.2ast 1.4stls 0.3blks 2.6TO
'03 72gms 27.1pts (.481 FG% .382 3pt% .875 FT%) 7.8reb 2.8ast 1.4stls 0.1blks 2.0TO
'04 81gms 28.8pts (.480 FG% .433 3pt% .927 FT%) 7.4reb 2.5ast 1.5stls 0.2blks 2.3TO
'05 66gms 25.1pts (.444 FG% .402 3pt% .920 FT%) 5.4reb 2.6ast 1.5stls 0.3blks 1.9TO
Admirable consistency, but what exactly are we waiting for here? This die is cast.
P.S. Peja's defense is what it is -- his individual defense is about as good as you could expect from an unathletic player of his ilk -- he plays smart position defense to make up for his lack of quickness. His lack of team defense, rebounding, and hustle is all about heart, or lack thereof. Its not a skill thing, or a taught thing. Its innate. You're either tough and competitive, or you're not. You're either scared or you're not.
Last edited:
I do not think Peja deserves or will get a max contract. My questions - If Petrie does not trade Peja this summer, what is the greater risk for our future, giving him a huge contract or letting him walk for nothing? If he has the same type season as this past year, he looses trade value but extension his price goes down. If he has a great seaon, his price goes up. Do we play it safe and extend him now, or wait?
Man, if this guy could just bend over 4 or 5 times in a game we'd have really winner. Seriously though Peja will perform better next year (if there's a next year), maybe not statistically but definitely in a all-around game kind of way. Especially if Rick is still around and has a solid 8 man rotation that hes comfortable with.
It may have something to do with Vlade not being here but when Peja played in PAOK, he wasn't fully developed but still got the MVP of the Greece league. I don't think he had an extraordinary big-man passer like Vlade there. It's all up to him. We've seen him throw up 30+ points games this season (38 vs Mavs) and Vlade wasn't here. I expect him to have a great season.