Because Mike brings more to the table than Peja does.
Because Peja isn't as young as Mike was when we signed him to 7 years, $80 million, and he'll be making $14.5 million at 31 years old, not somewhere in the neighborhood of $13.5 to $14 million at 35 like Peja would be.
Because Peja isn't as ballsy of a player as Bibby is. For instance, Mike is 6'1", Peja is 6'10", and they averaged the same amount of rebounds a game. Mike played in 80 games, Peja in 66.
Mike is the stronger-willed of the two, the better leader, knows how to make his teammates better, shows up in the playoffs consistently, is ice in the clutch, and has more weapons than Peja in his game. His only drawback is his defense (or lack thereof).
Peja is bigger and more of a scoring threat on most nights, with fewer shots, but does Peja carry the team down the stretch on a consistent basis? He's not THE player on this team, regardless of the tools and ability that he has (which FAR surpass Mike's, which is what is so sad), and he is a superstar talent that takes a backseat when we need him to drive us all the way.
Because Mike didn't demand to be traded 'anywhere else', rather than be a King.
Because Mike shows up, makes you feel his presence while he's there, and makes you remember his presence after he leaves.
I think you get the point.
Don't get me wrong. I like Peja, but my fuse is shorter and shorter after he continually disappoints and fails to live up to our expectations of him.
Because Peja isn't as young as Mike was when we signed him to 7 years, $80 million, and he'll be making $14.5 million at 31 years old, not somewhere in the neighborhood of $13.5 to $14 million at 35 like Peja would be.
Because Peja isn't as ballsy of a player as Bibby is. For instance, Mike is 6'1", Peja is 6'10", and they averaged the same amount of rebounds a game. Mike played in 80 games, Peja in 66.
Mike is the stronger-willed of the two, the better leader, knows how to make his teammates better, shows up in the playoffs consistently, is ice in the clutch, and has more weapons than Peja in his game. His only drawback is his defense (or lack thereof).
Peja is bigger and more of a scoring threat on most nights, with fewer shots, but does Peja carry the team down the stretch on a consistent basis? He's not THE player on this team, regardless of the tools and ability that he has (which FAR surpass Mike's, which is what is so sad), and he is a superstar talent that takes a backseat when we need him to drive us all the way.
Because Mike didn't demand to be traded 'anywhere else', rather than be a King.
Because Mike shows up, makes you feel his presence while he's there, and makes you remember his presence after he leaves.
I think you get the point.
Don't get me wrong. I like Peja, but my fuse is shorter and shorter after he continually disappoints and fails to live up to our expectations of him.
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