Peja to work on his game?

[sloter]

Cuttino got OWNED by Allen. Together with James, that was the only reason why we got beat by the Sonics that easily. I didn't think I would have ever said this, but I do believe if we had Doug we would have done significantly better.

 

[GoGoGadget]

Sorry, but I liked Cuttino and felt he was never really given much of a chance.

I would have agreed with this until he left an elimination game early because his foot hurt. I don't care what the situation is, I feel better backing the guy who still thinks he can pull out a win down by 20 with two minutes left.

 

[ONEZERO]

I feel better backing the guy who still thinks he can pull out a win down by 20 with two minutes left.

But that is how cuttino plays.

 

[ParniValjak]

U really wanna know why? Cause they don't dissapear in the playoffs like peja... The only good thing peja does in the playoffs is play good 1 on 1 D.... Everything else especially his offense dissapears.

Well i don't know who disappeared this year, but it certainly wasn't Peja. Yes he was awful in 2 games but he still improved in almost every statisctical category in the play offs.

 

[GoGoGadget]

But that is how cuttino plays.

No. That's how he played until an elimination game in the playoffs.

A lost cause, perhaps, but still the most important game the Kings played all year. Hittin' the showers during the first half of that game just rubbed me the wrong way.

 

[Vlad]

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda

That is a beautiful quote.

And, Cuttino did quit, and I'm not happy about it. I was happy to see Mike and Peja combine for 73 points in the elimination game and fight until the end. And that is why they are still Kings and Cat is not.

 

[Londonking]

^^I'm afraid VF's quote of the wise (if somewhat diminutive) Jedi Master is a tad to simplistic for my liking.

I agree that 'getting the job done' is an essential part of a sucessful baskekball team, but i also admire endevour, especially in the face of significant odds (be that relative talent, or just an unfamilar set of teamates)

How the Kings win does hold some relevence to me other than just the result. So i do want to see / hear them try!

 

[VF21]

^^I'm afraid VF's quote of the wise (if somewhat diminutive) Jedi Master is a tad to simplistic for my liking.

I agree that 'getting the job done' is an essential part of a sucessful baskekball team, but i also admire endevour, especially in the face of significant odds (be that relative talent, or just an unfamilar set of teamates)

How the Kings win does hold some relevence to me other than just the result. So i do want to see / hear them try!

Excuse me?

I think you've misunderstood...

When I prepare, I will try to add some new elements to my game before the beginning of the season

THAT was the portion of his comment I was addressing. I, too, admire endeavor. What I do NOT admire is lip service - and I strongly feel that's what Peja is giving once again.

If you're really serious about adding "some new elements" you don't say you're going to try to add them. You say you're going to work hard on adding them.

I'm not talking about the Kings winning or losing. I'm talking about Peja - and his mindset about improving his game. He says, "I'll try." Much like a kid, who is chastized for not having good grades, may say he'll try to raise them. Results are what's important. Not whether or not the person says they're going to "try."

 

[VF21]

And that is why they are still Kings and Cat is not.

Not exactly. Cuttino Mobley is no longer a King because HE opted out of the final year of his contract.

 

[Kings113]

This article is quite weak compared to the much more in-depth one that is on Sacbee.

 

[Bricklayer]

I, too, admire endeavor. What I do NOT admire is lip service - and I strongly feel that's what Peja is giving once again.

That is the feeling I have long gotten myself.

Peja is satisifed with his game, his life. The pressure to add something new, to grow, seems largely extrenal to him. He's not driven to do it from the inside. He doesn't burn with competitive fire because Trenton Hassel shut him down. Just not in him. But there is this EXTERNAL pressure for him to become a better rounded player. And so he fiddles with it here and there. But working on improving is WORK, not a passion with him. Frankly he'd much rather be lying on the beach with his wife. So he will work on it a little. Say the right things. Know vaguely people expect him to be working on it, and kind of put on a show of doing something. But in the end, he's really not giving it much of an effort. He's just trying to make it look like he is so as to meet the external expectations.

 

[rhuber]

Darn it, Brick... you beat around the bush so much it's impossible to pinpoint your position on these matters. What are ya' trying to say?

 

[Entity]

Cuttino opted out because of one reason. Webber. When he got to Sacramento he and Webber hit it off. Players like playing with webber because he makes them better players. Look at Vlade and Doug. I garuntee if Webber was here and Stromile had a chance to be our Center he wouldn't even pack before he got on the plane. Now we don't have anybody on our team that other players desire to play with.

 

[Bricklayer]

Cuttino opted out because of one reason. Webber. When he got to Sacramento he and Webber hit it off. Players like playing with webber because he makes them better players. Look at Vlade and Doug. I garuntee if Webber was here and Stromile had a chance to be our Center he wouldn't even pack before he got on the plane. Now we don't have anybody on our team that other players desire to play with.

I think that's right about Cutino -- he immediately gravitated to Webb, and that was the face and personality of the franchise that Cat thought he was being traded to. I still remember the little sad smile Cat flashed Webb when they embraced before the first Philly game after the trade. Kind of said it all. Don't think Cat ever felt a real part of the team after that, or that there really was a cohesive team of which to feel a part. And so adrift on a drifting team and probably disappointed on a number of levels, I think he was pretty much ready for the season to be over when it was.

 

[Entity]

Bibby will get over it and take the kings as his team. But last season when Webber got traded every player on the team except maybe Peja felt something was missing. Now can they play without him YES. But last seasons shocker trade not only rocked us as fans but you can imagine how it felt to the players that befriended Chris. Chris left and took an injured knee some degrading skills and questionable comments from seasons past with him. BUT he also took alot of heart that this team is losing trade by trade. Doug, Chris, Bobby and even back to Vlade were players that played with there heart and made you fall in love with this team. I know we all want a championship but, will it really matter if you have players that lack the heart and passion those 4 had. You end up with players like Spreewell who yes has skills or had in this case but never had the heart you desired on your team. For instance I am a 49ers fan and when the won those super bowls in the early 90's they had players with heart and passion not just talent. If they would have won it with TO in his last year that championship would have been tainted because those ppl don't make you feel what they are feeling on the field or the court. When Webber went down with his knee i went down as well. When Webber came back way sooner than he should have to try and do what he could for the team showed me heart and passion for a team, a game and for fans. That my fellow kings fans was a small championship to me to see one our Kings with that type of attitude and love for the game.

 

[Evenstar]

if peja is going to work on his game i would LOVE him to work on rebounding!!!! that will have to wait for training camp i suppose.

adding a hook shot would be a very good thing.

 

[tyrant]

if peja is going to work on his game i would LOVE him to work on rebounding!!!! that will have to wait for training camp i suppose.

adding a hook shot would be a very good thing.

he gets around 6 rebounds a game. that's ok. i would much rather him learn how to put the ball on the floor.

 

[Vlad]

Not exactly. Cuttino Mobley is no longer a King because HE opted out of the final year of his contract.

I understand that. I was speaking in more general terms. For example, if Cuttino was dedicated to the Kings, he would have stayed in that elimination game and would have wanted to re-sign with the Kings. Reciprocally, if his attitude was better, the Kings might have offered him a contract.

 

[SactoGreg]

he gets around 6 rebounds a game. that's ok. i would much rather him learn how to put the ball on the floor.

Peja is a horrible rebounder. Most of his rebounds are stray balls that practically land in his hands.

Rarely, if ever, will you see Peja actually hustle around the rim to get a loose ball.

Rarely.

Yup, I'd like to see him rebound the ball more...

 

[Kings113]

I think Peja will be able to create his own shot. He showed a flashes of it in the playoffs also.