Peja wants out? (Merged)
- Thread starter piksi
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I'd ship out anyone necessary to get the deal done for Kevin Garnett AND I'd come down from my forest, help them pack and get them to the airport.
You don't quibble about details if there's a possibility of getting Mr. Garnett into Kings purple. Geoff Petrie could build an entire team around him...
You don't quibble about details if there's a possibility of getting Mr. Garnett into Kings purple. Geoff Petrie could build an entire team around him...
Crvena Zvezda
Bench
VF21 said:What a prince. When the going gets tough, Peja talks about bailing.
Good, let him go to Chicago. It's just a shame this didn't happen before we got rid of the one true warrior to keep him happy.
Wait wait wait. Let's not jump to conclusions. He actually has not made a statement yet. Every one keep calm , a few deep breaths and everything will be OK
P
playmaker0017
Guest
I think people here overrate what KG can do for the team.
KG is a supremely talented player, but is he REALLY that leader? He may be vocal, but is he really a "leader"?
He's been known to punch players in practice, he's been known to whine about players behind closed doors, etc.
He wasn't able to reign in an EXTREMELY talented team last year to make the playoffs.
Remember - it's all about everyone buying into the system. KG can't singlehandedly do anything if people don't "buy in".
I think moving two talented players for KG puts this team in the same boat it's in now.
We AREN'T missing a superstar. We've got Bibby, Reef, Peja. We are missing cohesiveness. We are missing teamwork. We are missing the trust between one another.
That's why we're losing ... not because we are missing another talented player. (granted - he'd be the only one playing defense)
KG is a supremely talented player, but is he REALLY that leader? He may be vocal, but is he really a "leader"?
He's been known to punch players in practice, he's been known to whine about players behind closed doors, etc.
He wasn't able to reign in an EXTREMELY talented team last year to make the playoffs.
Remember - it's all about everyone buying into the system. KG can't singlehandedly do anything if people don't "buy in".
I think moving two talented players for KG puts this team in the same boat it's in now.
We AREN'T missing a superstar. We've got Bibby, Reef, Peja. We are missing cohesiveness. We are missing teamwork. We are missing the trust between one another.
That's why we're losing ... not because we are missing another talented player. (granted - he'd be the only one playing defense)
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
playmaker0017 said:
Yes we ARE missing a superstar. The players you mentioned aren't fit to hold a superstar's jock. There is a TON of difference between a Kevin Garnett -- a true centerpiece player who defines your team and a Peja or Bibby or Reef or any other wannabe borderline all-star type. The latter are common. Almost every team has at least one or two. They are not difference makers. They cannot thrive without that superstar player AHEAD of them, taking the heat off of them, and giving them direction. KG is a first ballot Hall of Famer if he retires tommorow. And he's still in his prime. Any team which did NOT make a serious play for such a stud would be fools.
Is KG a leader? YES. Unquestionably. He walks out on the court, and everybody knows who the big dog is. Is he soft and fuzzy? No. And thank god. Soft and fuzzy is for infants, not championship level players. Is KG a champion? Yet to be determined. But he's a helluva lot closer than any of our talent. One player to singlehandedly become your team leader, best defender, singlehandedly fix your rebounding problems, and direct your offense? Uh..yes please.
Almsot any two of our top 5 combined with KG is the equivalent of KG/Cassel/Spree, except willing and eager to play and not pushing 35. We're talking 55 wins. Any 3 of our top 5 combined with KG is BETTER than that Minnesota combo which won 58 two years ago.
P.S. Blaming KG for what happened last year is one of the all-time B.S. misdirection plays in sports. Yeah, throw a titanic collecion of malcontents onto one guys team (Spree, Cassel, Hudson, Wally, Kandi and Griffin just to top it off?), and then when, gee, they end up being malcontents, its a failure of his leadership? In the entire NBA, who exactly COULD lead that crew, in particular as age and injury caught up to them? Its a miracle he did it for one year (I was predicting a meltdown in 03-04), let alone two.
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nbrans
All-Star
Bricklayer said:
I agree with your first paragraph and disagree with the rest. I don't think there's a whole lot of evidence that KG is much of a leader. He's the type of player that brings it every single night, and so you might say he leads by example. But think back to the time that he sucker-punched Rick Rickert just because Rickert got the best of him on one play. Not exactly the hallmark of a leader. What kind of example does that set? Don't get better or I'm going to clock you?
And I don't think you can blame what happened entirely on KG last year because there were a lot of nuts in that clubhouse, but to just ignore the fact that it happened isn't right either. What it revealed was that KG did not set the tone for that team -- Spree and Cassell did. When Spree and Cassell were focused and healthy the Timberwolves went to the Conference Finals. When they imploded so did the team.
Don't get me wrong, I'd take KG in a heartbeat. And who knows, maybe the Bibbys and Pejas of the world really would follow KG and raise their game to match. But I don't know that he's the savior you and others make him out to be, and I think that his leadership skills are a mixed bag.
P.S. He also has a hard time getting off his shot at the end of games and hasn't shown himself to be particularly clutch. Music to every Kings fan's ears.
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Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
People spend a disproportionate amount of time worryting about KG punching some nobody kid. Quite frankly, its got nothing to do with leadership either way. I'm not jumping up and down for joy, but a leader CAN be a jerk and still be quite effective. Jordan was a notorious jerk to his teammates who would scream and yell and generally humiliate them if they weren't up to snuff. Didn't matter -- he was the straw, and people didn't have to like him to follow him. Quite frankly at this point I WISH one of our guys would punch somebody. At least it would show passion.
nbrans
All-Star
Bricklayer said:
Yeah, as I was writing that I was thinking, geez, can you imagine someone on this Kings team who is so competitive he's going to punch someone for taking him to school? So I agree with the jerk aspect, and who knows, maybe the remaining players on the team will respond to some meanness. At the same time, I do think there are some negative signs as well.
Re:
There is a grand total of 3 teams that have a projected 05-06 team payroll that would put them in a position to add a max contract come next summer straight-up, Atlanta, New Orleans and yes, Chicago (CHA is out because their salary cap is set around $38 mil)...thus making this really an extremely dangerous situation for the Kings Peja-wise.
The real question here is easy, and I think it all comes down to trust, can the Kings trust Peja and perhaps more importantly, do they want to place themselves in that kind of a situation in the forst place ? I can say that I'm 100% sure Peja will sign a new Kings contract, but that's just me, Kings simply cannot afford to let Peja go and get nothing in return, they cannot afford taking any chances on this one...
As I said, I don't buy any of this rumors, I think it's all plain BS. I would however excpect a comment from Peja's agent, since on that kind of level, nothing like this is supposed to be regarded as pure nonsence and speculation. If he is still standing firm on that new King's contract course, now's the time to be vocal about it. If not, which I think would be kind of strange since they can offer him the most, but again, if not, Kings do have a number of options on their hands out of which certainly the best one would be a sign-and-trade deal. That would allow Peja to get the max. $$ ammount and on the other side, something in return for the Kings...
There is a grand total of 3 teams that have a projected 05-06 team payroll that would put them in a position to add a max contract come next summer straight-up, Atlanta, New Orleans and yes, Chicago (CHA is out because their salary cap is set around $38 mil)...thus making this really an extremely dangerous situation for the Kings Peja-wise.
The real question here is easy, and I think it all comes down to trust, can the Kings trust Peja and perhaps more importantly, do they want to place themselves in that kind of a situation in the forst place ? I can say that I'm 100% sure Peja will sign a new Kings contract, but that's just me, Kings simply cannot afford to let Peja go and get nothing in return, they cannot afford taking any chances on this one...
As I said, I don't buy any of this rumors, I think it's all plain BS. I would however excpect a comment from Peja's agent, since on that kind of level, nothing like this is supposed to be regarded as pure nonsence and speculation. If he is still standing firm on that new King's contract course, now's the time to be vocal about it. If not, which I think would be kind of strange since they can offer him the most, but again, if not, Kings do have a number of options on their hands out of which certainly the best one would be a sign-and-trade deal. That would allow Peja to get the max. $$ ammount and on the other side, something in return for the Kings...
kingsgurl87
Bench
i doubt all this is true and I won't believe that peja wants out until I hear it fr/ his mouth! 
P
playmaker0017
Guest
Bricklayer said:
Wait - so are you willing to apply the SAME statement to Reef's teams? They had FAR less talent. They had a MUCH WORSE coach. They had a LOT LESS direction because of it.
KG is a GREAT player, but his "failures" prove the point that ONE PLAYER does not make a team.
Only ONE player in the league can change the Atlanta Hawks from a cellar team to a playoff team. A healthy Shaq.
P
playmaker0017
Guest
Bricklayer said:
Except it is said that this wasn't the first time and it has happened in the past, but they have hushed it up because it's KG.
Sure it does. If your leader is an out of control snob, you won't respect him.
4cwebb
Starter
playmaker0017 said:
Fiery competitors will punch people every now and again. The only story I've heard about Jordan had him punching Steve Kerr (of all people), and then being thrown out of practice. But if KG is getting covered for all of his antics, imagine how many times Jordan's antics were overlooked.
Main difference b/w Jordan and KG is, of course, those six rings. No idea if KG will ever get a ring, but I'd much prefer to see the Kings take their shot with him than with the current crop of players --- at least the odds would seem to be more in the Kings' favor at that point.
4cwebb
Starter
captain bill said:
This is the only one of your answers that I would disagree with. I don't even think the Clippers pick up the phone at this point on a Peja for Maggette offer --- I think Maggette could bring enough offense to cover up for Peja, if for no other reason than the guy gets to the line a ton, and so would take some pressure of the rest of the team consistently relying on jumpshots.
bozzwell
Starter
Bricklayer said:
Agree on the point that we might do well with a guy, any guy that would go around slapping our tweeners right now. I also agree that sometimes locker room violence is more of an indication of leadership-intensity then some leadership-deficiency (at least when superstars are in question). Yes, MJ punched Will Perdue and Bulls won evertyhing that year, yes MJ gave Kerr black eye and they won that year, yes MJ choked Scottie and chased Grant around the gym and they won that year. But I would not compare any of that to KG decking a rook for daring to beat him in a practice game. Even if the rook was mouthing off, as did Kwame with MJ back in Washington (MJ did not punch him). The difference is that MJ beat up on his teammates because he was frustrated with their play or working habits or because they were whiny malcontents (Scottie) or because their a** was starting to hang out there (H Grant). KG beat up *nobody*. Of course, if the report is true.
Even though I would trade all of our core in a jiffy for KG, I must say that I always suspected him of acting and faking a lot of his intensity with all the talk about the guns and bombs and what not. Like I said when Webber was traded and KG's name was first brought up on the forum, I honestly believe that healthy Webber >>> KG. Before you all jump all over me, just think if Webber didn't go down against Dallas and we won it all that year and then look at the the "core" since Webber was traded. In that respect, KG is overrated as a leader (there is no doubt about his ability/talent) until he wins it all.
D
DeAtHrOw
Guest
bozzwell said:
Amen.
Peja responds...sort of.
Sorry, but that doesn't do much to contradict the rumor...
http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?p=217855#post217855
Sorry, but that doesn't do much to contradict the rumor...
http://www.kingsfans.com/forums/showthread.php?p=217855#post217855
Pedja should go
He wanted to go last year, and they let Weber go. I was sure that Weber would be gone (because of injury/big contract), but they should have traded Pedja as well and rebuild the team.
After Vlade and Doug left(or terminated-Doug), Pedja lost his supporting group. They sacrificed a big piece of cake (their own game) for his game.
He was never playing good with Mike, and will never. Pedja, because he does not have low post game, nor he has dribling skills, is dependant on nice pass on time, or good screen.
Pedja has no chemistry with Mike, and that is the main problem on this team. They are two main guys on the team, and they do not get along well.
Don't bring in Rahim as a leader. He is just good player , nothing more.
To be honest to the end , Pedja is one of top three shoters in the league, and draws the best defender on the oposition team every game. He would fit perfectly with some teams.
Bottom line is: get something good (if you can) and start rebuilding process before he walks away.
Just anote: Mike and RA should be packing too.
He wanted to go last year, and they let Weber go. I was sure that Weber would be gone (because of injury/big contract), but they should have traded Pedja as well and rebuild the team.
After Vlade and Doug left(or terminated-Doug), Pedja lost his supporting group. They sacrificed a big piece of cake (their own game) for his game.
He was never playing good with Mike, and will never. Pedja, because he does not have low post game, nor he has dribling skills, is dependant on nice pass on time, or good screen.
Pedja has no chemistry with Mike, and that is the main problem on this team. They are two main guys on the team, and they do not get along well.
Don't bring in Rahim as a leader. He is just good player , nothing more.
To be honest to the end , Pedja is one of top three shoters in the league, and draws the best defender on the oposition team every game. He would fit perfectly with some teams.
Bottom line is: get something good (if you can) and start rebuilding process before he walks away.
Just anote: Mike and RA should be packing too.
Saying that "I can't control the papers, or what somebody's going to write" is neither dispelling rumors that he wants to go to Chicago, nor is it a definitive statement that he doesn't want to leave Sacramento. And to me, what he didn't say speaks volumes; if he really wanted to stay with the Kings, that was the perfect time to say so.
I don't understand why there're so much Peja bashing (or RA/Mike/whoever bashing) here.
So you trade Peja (or whoever), then what? You're just shaking up the team even more. Even if you get great ball players in return, they're not going to gel in the team instantly and suddenly make Kings a champion team, let's be realistic. If Peja has no chemistry with Mike, how is this JUST his fault? Mike has to be part of it as well, and so is other team members. We are already in the re-building process. It always takes awhile for the players to gel and get used to each other (I wouldn't be surprised if this mean half a season), I've the patience to wait and see how they develope. I think the problem is that we're so used to see them winning and expect them to continue to win, but reality is for now, this team needs time.
And seriously, you think you can get someone better than Peja at this point? Who's available? Please don't tell me answers like KG, because simply, we're NOT going to get him, period.
So you trade Peja (or whoever), then what? You're just shaking up the team even more. Even if you get great ball players in return, they're not going to gel in the team instantly and suddenly make Kings a champion team, let's be realistic. If Peja has no chemistry with Mike, how is this JUST his fault? Mike has to be part of it as well, and so is other team members. We are already in the re-building process. It always takes awhile for the players to gel and get used to each other (I wouldn't be surprised if this mean half a season), I've the patience to wait and see how they develope. I think the problem is that we're so used to see them winning and expect them to continue to win, but reality is for now, this team needs time.
And seriously, you think you can get someone better than Peja at this point? Who's available? Please don't tell me answers like KG, because simply, we're NOT going to get him, period.
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D
DeAtHrOw
Guest
VF21 said:
You are right, I wish he'd be little more clear with his comment
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