Q & A with Peja Stojakovic
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, January 25, 2006
He was gone, and then he was back. And after it was all over, with Kings forward Peja Stojakovic being involved in a nearly done deal for Indiana's Ron Artest that fell apart by Tuesday night's end, he reflected on the chaotic day in a phone interview with The Bee.
Q: Peja, it's got to be one of the strangest days of your life. How are you holding up?
A: I accepted it pretty good, but I feel even more disappointed now. I mean, I guess it's business, and the NBA, and that we all have to accept that that's the way it is.
Q: It sounds like once you heard you were traded, you accepted it, but once it fell through and you were left in the middle, that was tough.
A: I had my mind set. I found out through the TV that I was traded, and then coach (Rick Adelman) called me, and (Kings president of basketball operations) Geoff (Petrie). I understand, and I had my mind set. I had my flight scheduled. I had prepared myself, my family for that. And then a little bit before the game, I heard (it was off). It's something I've never experienced in my career, so I guess I have to deal with that. I don't know what to say. I guess there's nothing within my control anyway, I guess.
Q: Had you caught wind of this trade at all? The other day, when you were saying that you wanted to be with the Kings for life, was there any part of you that thought this might happen and wanted to make sure your bosses knew how you felt?
A: We heard rumors before. I heard the rumor again this morning, but I never thought this was going to happen because I'd been hearing this for so long. And I said, 'If it's going to happen, it's going to happen.' I prepared myself a long time ago for that. If it happens, it happens, and it's something that I have to deal with. It's the NBA, and we are professionals. That's how I feel today. I told the coach, I understand and I guess the team is moving forward, I'm moving forward. It's a first time for me and for them.
Q: But what now, you know what I mean? This thing could still happen.
A: I don't know what now. That's a good question. I don't know. I feel, I guess, like what Geoff told me, I'm still with the Kings. It was a little bit different, a little bit frustrating right now, especially right now when I'm back.
Q: Did you watch the game? Were you sitting at the hotel room watching the game?
A: I wasn't watching the game. I was in the hotel, but I wasn't watching the game.
Q: If nothing happens tomorrow (Wednesday), and no news changes, are you going to go suit up and play the Knicks?
A: Do I have any other choice?
Q: Other players have told people who they wanted to work for.
A: You tell me, am I like (that), or what am I? I don't know. I'm a professional, and I'm going to be that way and that's the way it is. I guess I'm with the Kings as long as they want me to be, and I'm going to do my job as best I can right now in this position.
Q: You had said you were watching TV today. Was that the Maloofs' interview on ESPNews?
A: Yeah, that's how I found out I was traded. I found out through their speech that I'm gone. They almost said it (was a done deal). I don't know what to say. I believe ... I don't know. I feel different. I feel weird. I don't know how they feel having me back. I mean, I wasn't gone, but they decided, made a decision to trade me, then suddenly I'm back. I don't know. You should ask them how they feel. I feel weird.
