Q & A with Peja Stojakovic

[kennadog]

And plenty of former Kings have expressed exactly the same opinion as Pedja about the manner in which they found out about their trade. So he is hardly alone in that. And Mr. Artest is the biggest baby in the NBA, hands down.

 

[Jose]

I could have made a similar statement to Pedja's and meant it as a rhetorical question. I find out my employer doesn't want me anymore, but my family depends on me to bring home a paycheck. Do I pout and quit on the spot or do I do the responsible, adult thing and do my job until I can find another job? In other words, I'm a professional. I behave like a professional, that means I have no choice, but to be a professional, that's the kind of person I am. Simple. A simple ethic that is totally foreign to Artest.

I was going to post something along these lines. This happened to me - I found out my job was going to be cut, then was told "oh wait, we may not do it at all - please standby until we decide".

I stayed with my employer while looking for another job, performing my duties as best as I could, until they finally made up their mind and decided my job was no longer needed. Seemed like the right thing to do, regardless of how unprofessional my employer was about the whole situation. I would expect nothing less from Peja (or any other professional).

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm almost completely certain that it was a rhetorical question. But, that's pee poor attitude. I found about the trade on TV, WHAAAAAAAAA, my feelings are hurt WHAAAAAAAAAAAA. Seriously people get traded in the NBA ALL the time and they find out about it through media before the team can get to them. Why?? Because, the team doesn't talk until something is done. None of this was leaked from the Kings camp. It was all from the Indiana camp. The only mistake the Maloofs did was agree to an interview right then. They should have agreed to it after it was a definite. Then they may have had a chance to get to Peja first.

Oh that's bunk.

After 7 1/2 years relationships go far beyond merely professional. Its like working for a company for 10 years and then having the mailroom guy tell you you have been fired. Disrespectful. There are ways you do things, at least if you have class, and this was not it.

And its entirely a separate issue from whether Peja should have been traded or not. He has been put in an incredibly awkward position, rejected in front of the entire world, and now being asked to return and go to work like this is still his home? That's rough. Just a bungled mess.

 

[kennadog]

I was going to post something along these lines. This happened to me - I found out my job was going to be cut, then was told "oh wait, we may not do it at all - please standby until we decide".

I stayed with my employer while looking for another job, performing my duties as best as I could, until they finally made up their mind and decided my job was no longer needed. Seemed like the right thing to do, regardless of how unprofessional my employer was about the whole situation. I would expect nothing less from Peja (or any other professional).

Thank you...exactly. And when I say I will be a professional, I mean that I WILL give 100% effort (at least). I just left a horrible job, with horrible management and a ton of lazy employees. I never gave less than my best, because, to me, that's what I mean when I say I'll behave professionally.

 

[Stojakovic]

I'm almost completely certain that it was a rhetorical question. But, that's pee poor attitude. I found about the trade on TV, WHAAAAAAAAA, my feelings are hurt WHAAAAAAAAAAAA. Seriously people get traded in the NBA ALL the time and they find out about it through media before the team can get to them. Why?? Because, the team doesn't talk until something is done. None of this was leaked from the Kings camp. It was all from the Indiana camp. The only mistake the Maloofs did was agree to an interview right then. They should have agreed to it after it was a definite. Then they may have had a chance to get to Peja first.

Ron Artest, is this you ?

Put away your dislike for Peja for a second, and try to answer objectively.

He said his goodbyes to his teammates, he was traded, EVERYBODY was ready to move on. Now all of a sudden they call you back to the lockerroom to play. What do you expect him to say ? "I'm running to ARCO as soon as I finish this interview ?"

 

[KP]

They treated Peja like a piece of trash and he deserved better. He is not some character in a video game, he has a wife and family and all the same pressures anyone else does. Maloofs are looking sketchier and sketchier, not sure if Petrie is even calling the shots anymore. I thought Peja was straight up and classy in that interview, considering the circumstances, just my opinion.

 

[piksi]

They treated Peja like a piece of trash and he deserved better. He is not some character in a video game, he has a wife and family and all the same pressures anyone else does. Maloofs are looking sketchier and sketchier, not sure if Petrie is even calling the shots anymore. I thought Peja was straight up and classy in that interview, considering the circumstances, just my opinion.

what he said

 

[atxrocker]

They treated Peja like a piece of trash and he deserved better. He is not some character in a video game, he has a wife and family and all the same pressures anyone else does. Maloofs are looking sketchier and sketchier, not sure if Petrie is even calling the shots anymore. I thought Peja was straight up and classy in that interview, considering the circumstances, just my opinion.

KP-well said.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

Oh that's bunk.

After 7 1/2 years relationships go far beyond merely professional. Its like working for a company for 10 years and then having the mailroom guy tell you you have been fired. Disrespectful. There are ways you do things, at least if you have class, and this was not it.

And its entirely a separate issue from whether Peja should have been traded or not. He has been put in an incredibly awkward position, rejected in front of the entire world, and now being asked to return and go to work like this is still his home? That's rough. Just a bungled mess.

They did the same thing to Webber as far informing him he was traded goes.

 

[VF21]

They treated Peja like a piece of trash and he deserved better. He is not some character in a video game, he has a wife and family and all the same pressures anyone else does. Maloofs are looking sketchier and sketchier, not sure if Petrie is even calling the shots anymore. I thought Peja was straight up and classy in that interview, considering the circumstances, just my opinion.

Bravo. My sentiments exactly.

Our owners have, IMHO, acted like sleazy casino owners who treat their employees like so much chattel...

Oh wait...

Never mind.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

Bravo. My sentiments exactly.

Our owners have, IMHO, acted like sleazy casino owners who treat their employees like so much chattel...

Oh wait...

Never mind.

Thing that kills me the most is how some people want the players to be professional no matter what the circumstance but the same is not expected ( or it is overlooked) when it comes to owners and GMs.

 

[KP]

Thing that kills me the most is how some people want the players to be professional no matter what the circumstance but the same is not expected ( or it is overlooked) when it comes to owners and GMs.

The Maloofs didn't act in a proffesional manner, at least when it comes to ethics. The looked like a couple of goofballs barely suppressing their glee on BSPN of all places. I can't believe that is how Peja found out, watching that.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

The Maloofs didn't act in a proffesional manner, at least when it comes to ethics.

It is not "cool" now and it was not "cool" when C-Web was traded.

 

[KP]

It is not "cool" now and it was not "cool" when C-Web was traded.

Which is exactly what I've been saying about our management in general since that time. This is just one more incident to confirm some of our thoughts.

 

[DeAtHrOw]

Which is exactly what I've been saying about our management in general since that time. This is just one more incident to confirm some of our thoughts.

And to think all of that hassle, hurt feelings, insulted egos could be avoided by one simple phone call.

 

[Savo]

What do you expect him to say ? "I'm running to ARCO as soon as I finish this interview ?"

Apparently so. Not only that, he should also buy flowers for the Maloofs on his way back.

I have one question. Are professional athletes supposed to be robots?

 

[Rookie]

I can't blame him for thinking this whole situation sucks, because it does. But, you don't say "Do I have any other choice". If he wants to be the true professional, as he says he does, then you say I will suit up and play. I'm still a member of this team as long as I'm here and I will give 100% while I'm here, and 100% if I go somewhere else.

Can I hire you? Make sure you bust butt for me for many years, especially build my company from scratch on up and when I find a better replacement I will send my postal boy to let you know that you being replace. But if the person I interview fail to show up, can you still put your feeling aside and be a professional for me? Of course while you continue I will still be looking. thank you for your professionalism.

P.S Dont forget the 100% effort and you better not have any hard feeling about this.

 

[Peja]

I am glad that Peja was our leading scorer in his last game in Kings jersey.Too bad we lost...

 

[ParniValjak]

How can you not blame him. He brought this trade on himself. If he would have shown some heart and desire this year and not played pee poor, we wouldn't be having these talks. I have no sympathy for him. He gets paid millions to play a game, so what if his feelings got a little hurt. What a tough life, his feelings get hurt, he gets traded to another team, he shoots a basketball again, he makes millions again. Again, no sympathy.

You just don't get it do you?????

Pedja's beef is NOT that he got traded it how he found out about it. Thats why he is disappointed. But hey why let the facts get in a way of Pedja bashing once again

 

[Bballkingsrock]

Poor peja...........

 

[DocHolliday]

Peja told Grant that he is fine with the trade, and this will be the best situation for him. Just as I thought he really did want to leave. This works out for both parties.

 

[ParniValjak]

They treated Peja like a piece of trash and he deserved better. He is not some character in a video game, he has a wife and family and all the same pressures anyone else does. Maloofs are looking sketchier and sketchier, not sure if Petrie is even calling the shots anymore. I thought Peja was straight up and classy in that interview, considering the circumstances, just my opinion.

Spot on

 

[love_them_kings]

Peja told Grant that he is fine with the trade, and this will be the best situation for him. Just as I thought he really did want to leave. This works out for both parties.

you mean you don't think he wants to go back to the team that just mistreated him? what a surprise.