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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13958095p-14792412c.html
Ailene Voisin: Peja's future is looking murky
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 9,
Except for those occasions when his dark eyes lighten with humor, when he plays off a dynamic sequence on the court or a humorous scene in the locker room, Peja Stojakovic is a closed shop. He refuses to bleed in public. He would never cry in a crowd.
He monitors the vibes all the way from Serbia to Sacramento - lately, the mood has been more brooding than benevolent - and selectively, quietly, exhales a response. Unfortunately for Peja, this league is a very public place that offers very little protection, and right now, his fragile nature is overpowering his once-prolific sense of professional style. He is carrying his protective shield onto the court, playing too carefully, at times playing fearfully. Wincing when driving for layups. Staring at potential rebounds. Ignoring loose balls. Resisting the urge - assuming that it still exists somewhere deep within his psyche - to demand the ball and dictate the outcome, either by creating for others or for himself, especially in the fourth quarter.
Remember the other Stojakovic? The determined small forward who ran sprints along the baseline, converted threes in bunches, knocked in jumpers from the elbows behind Divac's screens? Who amassed enough assists and rebounds to suggest a balanced career on the upswing? Who overcame the tentativeness that hampered his early seasons?
Where did he go?
Where is he hiding?
Against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, the more flattering images reappeared for a few, fleeting stretches in the opening half, when Stojakovic cut sharply off picks, slashed inside for layups, penetrated and persisted and earned his way to the free throw line for seven attempts. He was lively, engaged, his presence again significant. But then in the closing period, when the outcome was there to be secured, the three-time All-Star wilted right along with his teammates, became a co-conspirator in an absolutely indefensible collapse that resulted in a fourth consecutive homecourt loss.
So the heat intensifies, on the head coach, on the best players, on the boss.
Some within the organization believe that Geoff Petrie, frustrated by Stojakovic's inconsistency, coupled with continuing public pressure (and the Maloofs' own visible impatience) to either replace coach Rick Adelman or otherwise alter the club's lackluster dynamic, would finally listen to overtures for Stojakovic, a free agent next summer who will command a huge salary. The latest speculation from outside the building aired prior to last night's Kings-Rockets broadcast on TNT: Charles Barkley reported that the Kings and Indiana Pacers have renewed discussions about a swap involving Stojakovic and Ron Artest.
"Ask Geoff," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said as he hurried toward his office, knowing that Petrie is as frozen-lipped as a statue.
Pressed about possible personnel moves the other day, Petrie replied tersely, "There are no trades in the works."
Regardless of whether he remains with the Kings, or even re-signs with the Kings, Stojakovic is at an obvious crossroads. The absence of emotion is crippling his career. The obvious lack of confidence is overwhelming his skill. His inability to re-establish himself as a dominant scorer, as a better all-around player than his statistics indicate, undoubtedly is costing him dollars. In a contract year, no less, a time when players often factor points and rebounds into the equation for the next multi-year deal, the eighth-year pro is averaging 17.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, well below his output of 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2003-2004.
It's as if he never recovered from the change in game plans that occurred when Chris Webber returned in late 2003 and insisted on resuming his role as the primary scoring option - the job capably held at the time by Peja. Instead of ferociously protecting his status and accepting the challenge, Stojakovic, 29, eased into the backup role, too willingly ran and stood in his assigned corner. He lost his swagger, lost his edge, lost what once was ever so close.
"I am not worried about any of that (trades or free agency)," an unusually animated Stojakovic said when asked the other day about his situation. "I am very frustrated with the way I am playing. You know you can do better, and you're not doing it. I go home and watch tapes ... I don't sleep. Laying in the bed, I go through the game, and I know every play. I do my own play by play. I have like a computer in my mind, like it records it. Then I get mad at myself. It's like, 'OK, you missed two shots wide open, you missed a layup wide open.' I have to be more aggressive. I have to go out and do it." It appears, though, that the door to the shop has opened, that the only King with any job security around here is Petrie. And typically, he moves when least expected.
Ailene Voisin: Peja's future is looking murky
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Friday, December 9,
Except for those occasions when his dark eyes lighten with humor, when he plays off a dynamic sequence on the court or a humorous scene in the locker room, Peja Stojakovic is a closed shop. He refuses to bleed in public. He would never cry in a crowd.
He monitors the vibes all the way from Serbia to Sacramento - lately, the mood has been more brooding than benevolent - and selectively, quietly, exhales a response. Unfortunately for Peja, this league is a very public place that offers very little protection, and right now, his fragile nature is overpowering his once-prolific sense of professional style. He is carrying his protective shield onto the court, playing too carefully, at times playing fearfully. Wincing when driving for layups. Staring at potential rebounds. Ignoring loose balls. Resisting the urge - assuming that it still exists somewhere deep within his psyche - to demand the ball and dictate the outcome, either by creating for others or for himself, especially in the fourth quarter.
Remember the other Stojakovic? The determined small forward who ran sprints along the baseline, converted threes in bunches, knocked in jumpers from the elbows behind Divac's screens? Who amassed enough assists and rebounds to suggest a balanced career on the upswing? Who overcame the tentativeness that hampered his early seasons?
Where did he go?
Where is he hiding?
Against the Houston Rockets on Thursday, the more flattering images reappeared for a few, fleeting stretches in the opening half, when Stojakovic cut sharply off picks, slashed inside for layups, penetrated and persisted and earned his way to the free throw line for seven attempts. He was lively, engaged, his presence again significant. But then in the closing period, when the outcome was there to be secured, the three-time All-Star wilted right along with his teammates, became a co-conspirator in an absolutely indefensible collapse that resulted in a fourth consecutive homecourt loss.
So the heat intensifies, on the head coach, on the best players, on the boss.
Some within the organization believe that Geoff Petrie, frustrated by Stojakovic's inconsistency, coupled with continuing public pressure (and the Maloofs' own visible impatience) to either replace coach Rick Adelman or otherwise alter the club's lackluster dynamic, would finally listen to overtures for Stojakovic, a free agent next summer who will command a huge salary. The latest speculation from outside the building aired prior to last night's Kings-Rockets broadcast on TNT: Charles Barkley reported that the Kings and Indiana Pacers have renewed discussions about a swap involving Stojakovic and Ron Artest.
"Ask Geoff," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said as he hurried toward his office, knowing that Petrie is as frozen-lipped as a statue.
Pressed about possible personnel moves the other day, Petrie replied tersely, "There are no trades in the works."
Regardless of whether he remains with the Kings, or even re-signs with the Kings, Stojakovic is at an obvious crossroads. The absence of emotion is crippling his career. The obvious lack of confidence is overwhelming his skill. His inability to re-establish himself as a dominant scorer, as a better all-around player than his statistics indicate, undoubtedly is costing him dollars. In a contract year, no less, a time when players often factor points and rebounds into the equation for the next multi-year deal, the eighth-year pro is averaging 17.5 points and 4.3 rebounds, well below his output of 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds in 2003-2004.
It's as if he never recovered from the change in game plans that occurred when Chris Webber returned in late 2003 and insisted on resuming his role as the primary scoring option - the job capably held at the time by Peja. Instead of ferociously protecting his status and accepting the challenge, Stojakovic, 29, eased into the backup role, too willingly ran and stood in his assigned corner. He lost his swagger, lost his edge, lost what once was ever so close.
"I am not worried about any of that (trades or free agency)," an unusually animated Stojakovic said when asked the other day about his situation. "I am very frustrated with the way I am playing. You know you can do better, and you're not doing it. I go home and watch tapes ... I don't sleep. Laying in the bed, I go through the game, and I know every play. I do my own play by play. I have like a computer in my mind, like it records it. Then I get mad at myself. It's like, 'OK, you missed two shots wide open, you missed a layup wide open.' I have to be more aggressive. I have to go out and do it." It appears, though, that the door to the shop has opened, that the only King with any job security around here is Petrie. And typically, he moves when least expected.
