When Peja gets back

[Stojakovic]

Maybe if you'd been around as a Kings fan for the past four years, you'd better understand what's going on with a lot of us. We're being honest and open about our opinions, which we have every right in the world to have - whether you agree with them or not.

It's not about beating a horse. It's about personal opinons and yours is no better than anyone elses.

That's not true.

When Webber was injured a couple years ago and we pretty much had the best record in the league without him (Peja was playing absolutely great btw) EVERYBODY here (including you) was convinced that that team couldn't win the championship (for reasons unknown) and that Webber was essential. Even when he came back and we started to play worse (our offense didn't have nearly the same flow) people still condemned that lineup (Bibby-Christie-Stoj-Miller-Vlade) and preferred to have Vlade or Miller come off the bench instead of Webb. Webb was never the problem then, and it was absolutely necessary to force him into the lineup.

Same thing this year with Peja, only difference is that everybody's jumping on his back and calling him a cancer...including you VF.

I was called a hater for criticizing Webber , because I believed that he truly ruined any chances we had at a championship that year. I'm not Peja's biggest fan, in fact he's done a lot lately for me to really dislike him, but what people are doing here is nothing but hate.

 

[kingsville]

we were 44-15 w/o cwebb in 03-04 season

 

[Stojakovic]

No more picks for Peja is really not making best use of him. That's like not setting picks for Reggie Miller.

But right now I do have some seriosu questions:

1) Bibby and Miller play very well off of each other

2) Bibby and Peja do not I think.

3) Bibby and SAR do not I think.

4) Peja and Miller are ok together. Not great, but ok. Simiilar to Webb/Peja dynamic.

5) SAR and Miller = problem due to defense/rebounding.

6) SAR and Peja = ? Theoretically indide/outside potent combo. In practice, one dimesnional non-rebounding forwards fighting for the ball.


Its not all Peja. Its just guys not working well wiht each other. Its a puzzle. Think we should solve it via trade.

2-3 games without Peja and you're already able to come to this conclusion ? Wow, you should be a pro analyst.

 

[Kingsgurl]

I'm no Peja fan, but you all are on a witch hunt. During Peja's hot 10 game streak everyone was saying "oh my, Peja's back" and how great he is. After he gets injured he hasn't played to that level again ... yet everyone wants his head.

I wonder if this is how you all were to Chris Webber.

Actually, part of the issue I am having with Peja's performance this year directly correlates to the fact that Webber was treated like crap by MANY, MANY people here. Endless posts about how Webb was messing up Peja's game, and how all Peja needed was playing time without Webb and he would be God. Ad Nuasuem. On and on about how we had to get rid of Chris because of
1) Injury potential (Chris is playing well, hasn't missed games and Peja is nursing one 'injury' after another)
2) His horrendous salary- Hmm, the horrendous salary is still here, albeit still in it's 'flexible trading pieces' form. With the exception of last night, said salary has produced about zip for the team thus far this year.
3) How his presence was 'holding Peja back'- think this one should have been de-bunked by now. Peja is a player who NEEDS players like Vlade and/or Chris around him.

The 'mantle' of responsibility was, IMO, passed to Peja when Chris was traded. He has refused to wear it, IMO.

I generally don't bash him, but have to admit to being pretty disappointed in him thus far this season.

 

[VF21]

That's not true.

When Webber was injured a couple years ago and we pretty much had the best record in the league without him (Peja was playing absolutely great btw) EVERYBODY here (including you) was convinced that that team couldn't win the championship (for reasons unknown) and that Webber was essential. Even when he came back and we started to play worse (our offense didn't have nearly the same flow) people still condemned that lineup (Bibby-Christie-Stoj-Miller-Vlade) and preferred to have Vlade or Miller come off the bench instead of Webb. Webb was never the problem then, and it was absolutely necessary to force him into the lineup.

Same thing this year with Peja, only difference is that everybody's jumping on his back and calling him a cancer...including you VF.

I was called a hater for criticizing Webber , because I believed that he truly ruined any chances we had at a championship that year. I'm not Peja's biggest fan, in fact he's done a lot lately for me to really dislike him, but what people are doing here is nothing but hate.

Did I think Webber deserved to be back in the lineup? Yep. Never claimed otherwise. Was I wrong? Perhaps. Evidence seems to support that Webber shouldn't have been brought back the way he was, but we'll never know what might or might not have happened if they'd played him off the bench. That ship sailed.

Do I think the Kings made a big mistake by trading Webber and keeping Peja? HELL YES. Sorry if that ruffles feathers. That's my opinion and I've never wavered in that, either. My reasons are many and varied, but I have always made it very clear that I respect the WARRIORS, the ones who will put it all out there on the court every night and try and get those around them to do the same.

Is Peja a warrior? Nope. No way. Not a chance in hell. Did I love seeing Peja play back when everything was good and we were all happy? Of course.

Peja Stojakovic, IMHO, does not have nor will he ever get the WARRIOR mentality. It's just not in him. In addition, he made it MORE than abundantly clear that he didn't even want to be on the Kings any more. Old history? Sure, but it doesn't mean it doesn't figure into how I look at things. I'd be lying if I said I had completely forgotten about that. THAT announcement, via AV from Europe, HURT - a lot. Peja slapped every single Kings fan in the face with that announcement.

IF Peja had come out this season - a CONTRACT year - and played up to the level of his abilities, I would be cheering him just like any other member of this team I've loved. It's always been about the team when the day is over. That's why, as much as I hated the Webber trade, I continue to be a KINGS fan.

Right now, the Kings IMHO could do better than to have Peja out there, taking errant shots time after time, but occasionally doing well enough to continue the false hope. As a Kings fan, I do not think he's the key to our success any longer.

That's no more hating than the number of people who posted very clear and arguable comments about Webber. It's the vitriol and venom that makes 'haters." It's a shame some people can't tell the difference.

 

[Bricklayer]

2-3 games without Peja and you're already able to come to this conclusion ? Wow, you should be a pro analyst.

30 games and I come to those conclusions. Some 200 games now for the Miller comparisons. Some 400 for the Bibby comparisons.

 

[ParniValjak]

It really is funny how you all have pegged Peja as the scapegoat.

He's having a tough season and has been injured through most of it.

I'm no Peja fan, but you all are on a witch hunt. During Peja's hot 10 game streak everyone was saying "oh my, Peja's back" and how great he is. After he gets injured he hasn't played to that level again ... yet everyone wants his head.

I wonder if this is how you all were to Chris Webber.

Peja is one of the top players on this team. You want to find the problems, it really isn't starting with Peja.

Finally someone that makes some sense.

Peja has stuggled after injurying his hand. No one is denying that but before his injury he was on a rather nice strech where he was shooting the ball well AND grabbing some rebounds and hell he even dished out some assists.

It just seems to me people around here are not happy if they are not on someone's case. Webber used to get it by tuckloads and now I guess its Peja's turn

Our problem is not Peja. Our problems are much bigger that Peja.

 

[VF21]

Query: How many of you who are so adamant that the rest of us are "haters" will even be around if Peja is traded?

 

[JJ22L]

Actually, part of the issue I am having with Peja's performance this year directly correlates to the fact that Webber was treated like crap by MANY, MANY people here. Endless posts about how Webb was messing up Peja's game, and how all Peja needed was playing time without Webb and he would be God. Ad Nuasuem. On and on about how we had to get rid of Chris because of
1) Injury potential (Chris is playing well, hasn't missed games and Peja is nursing one 'injury' after another)
2) His horrendous salary- Hmm, the horrendous salary is still here, albeit still in it's 'flexible trading pieces' form. With the exception of last night, said salary has produced about zip for the team thus far this year.
3) How his presence was 'holding Peja back'- think this one should have been de-bunked by now. Peja is a player who NEEDS players like Vlade and/or Chris around him.

The 'mantle' of responsibility was, IMO, passed to Peja when Chris was traded. He has refused to wear it, IMO.

I generally don't bash him, but have to admit to being pretty disappointed in him thus far this season.

Excellent post. Thats exactly how i feel, and couldn't of worded it better myself.

 

[ParniValjak]

Query: How many of you who are so adamant that the rest of us are "haters" will even be around if Peja is traded?

I will because I have been a Kings fan well before Peja came and I will stay a Kings fan well after Peja is gone.

This is not a Peja Vs Kings thing, its a whats good for the Kings thing. Peja is still a quality player no matter which way you look at it. LIke it or not but this team will go only as far as Bibby and Peja take it. You can have your Bonzis and your SARs and your Millers and your Martins but this team will go as far as Bibby and Peja take it and thats a fact.

I am not against trading Peja not at all but I am against trading him for the sake of tading him. The last thing we need is to get rid of Peja for a role player. We need talent in return not some scrappers.

You make one VERY BIG mistake here. Just because some people are Serbian you think they are Kings fans because of Peja. You are wrong there are actually some of us who love the team not the player but it never stops you from putting us all in the same basket and quite frankly its becoming a little tiring.

 

[Amory]

Peja Stojakovic, IMHO, does not have nor will he ever get the WARRIOR mentality. It's just not in him. In addition, he made it MORE than abundantly clear that he didn't even want to be on the Kings any more. Old history? Sure, but it doesn't mean it doesn't figure into how I look at things. I'd be lying if I said I had completely forgotten about that. THAT announcement, via AV from Europe, HURT - a lot. Peja slapped every single Kings fan in the face with that announcement.

I respect your opinion on the matter but I looke at it from a different way....

Your boss comes up to you and tells you that he doesn't like working with you. You are lazy (when you are not, or believe you are working your hardest) and he would rather have you transfered to another area of the company. What are you supposed to do? Just take it and risk having an aweful time while at work? or ask for a transfer?

Maybe Peja over reacted about that and shouldn't have ask for a trade but I don't hold it against him at all.

 

[Bricklayer]

I am not against trading Peja not at all but I am against trading him for the sake of tading him. The last thing we need is to get rid of Peja for a role player. We need talent in return not some scrappers.

I think what we could use (other than a legit superstar) is in fact a "talented scrapper". I am fundamentally against stupid *** deals like the Webber trade whether its Peja or anybody else. On the other hand, this team is in desperate need of a softness for scrappiness type of deal (or better yet a softness for shotblocker type of deal).

 

[VF21]

I respect your opinion on the matter but I looke at it from a different way....

Your boss comes up to you and tells you that he doesn't like working with you. You are lazy (when you are not, or believe you are working your hardest) and he would rather have you transfered to another area of the company. What are you supposed to do? Just take it and risk having an aweful time while at work? or ask for a transfer?

Maybe Peja over reacted about that and shouldn't have ask for a trade but I don't hold it against him at all.

It wasn't Peja's boss. It was a co-worker who called him out. If that happened to me, I'd settle it with the co-worker. I wouldn't go to my boss and demand a transfer and then, when the boss says "No," take my demands public.

BUT the main point is I don't think Peja has been happy since then. And - regardless of what he says in the media - I don't think he's that happy now.

 

[ParniValjak]

I thin what we could use (other than a legit superstar) is in fact a "talented scrapper"). I am fundamentally against stupid *** deals liek the Webber trade whetehr its Peja or anybody else. On the other hand, this team is in desperate need of a softness for scrappiness type of deal (or better yet a softness fro shotblocker type of deal).

I don't disagree. We could use some scrappy players but you don't trade an All-Star for a scrapper. You trad an All-Star for an All-Star.

You trade good players for good scrappers or you can pick up scrappers on the cheap via free agency.

I do agree that we DESPERATELY need a shot-blocker and an interior defender.

 

[VF21]

You make one VERY BIG mistake here. Just because some people are Serbian you think they are Kings fans because of Peja. You are wrong there are actually some of us who love the team not the player but it never stops you from putting us all in the same basket and quite frankly its becoming a little tiring.

Actually, I had deleted my comment because I didn't want to give the wrong impression but since you quoted it, I've restored it.

You know what else is tiring? Being always called a HATER because I happen to think the team I love will be better with someone other than Peja at this point in time.

I'm not going to change my opinion of what I think is best for my beloved Kings because you think I'm picking on Peja OR a small number - not all - of his fellow countrymen who continue to defend him as though their lives depended upon it.

If Peja is traded, we'll see how many of his fans - REGARDLESS of their nationality - choose to follow him. And I'll wish him - and them - well.

 

[piksi]

Query: How many of you who are so adamant that the rest of us are "haters" will even be around if Peja is traded?

You will be surprised

 

[BawLa]

Did I think Webber deserved to be back in the lineup? Yep. Never claimed otherwise. Was I wrong? Perhaps. Evidence seems to support that Webber shouldn't have been brought back the way he was, but we'll never know what might or might not have happened if they'd played him off the bench. That ship sailed.

Do I think the Kings made a big mistake by trading Webber and keeping Peja? HELL YES. Sorry if that ruffles feathers. That's my opinion and I've never wavered in that, either. My reasons are many and varied, but I have always made it very clear that I respect the WARRIORS, the ones who will put it all out there on the court every night and try and get those around them to do the same.

Is Peja a warrior? Nope. No way. Not a chance in hell. Did I love seeing Peja play back when everything was good and we were all happy? Of course.

Peja Stojakovic, IMHO, does not have nor will he ever get the WARRIOR mentality. It's just not in him. In addition, he made it MORE than abundantly clear that he didn't even want to be on the Kings any more. Old history? Sure, but it doesn't mean it doesn't figure into how I look at things. I'd be lying if I said I had completely forgotten about that. THAT announcement, via AV from Europe, HURT - a lot. Peja slapped every single Kings fan in the face with that announcement.

IF Peja had come out this season - a CONTRACT year - and played up to the level of his abilities, I would be cheering him just like any other member of this team I've loved. It's always been about the team when the day is over. That's why, as much as I hated the Webber trade, I continue to be a KINGS fan.

Right now, the Kings IMHO could do better than to have Peja out there, taking errant shots time after time, but occasionally doing well enough to continue the false hope. As a Kings fan, I do not think he's the key to our success any longer.

That's no more hating than the number of people who posted very clear and arguable comments about Webber. It's the vitriol and venom that makes 'haters." It's a shame some people can't tell the difference.

Any Questions?

 

[playmaker0017]

Query: How many of you who are so adamant that the rest of us are "haters" will even be around if Peja is traded?

I just want to make it clear I'm not calling names. Especially not the "hater" term. I think it's quite cheesy.

What I am saying is that people are ready to lay blame at the first chance they get ... whether the shoe fits or not. At the beginning of the year, it was Bibby. People were ready to kill him. Then Miller for a second when Peja caught fire. Then it went to Peja and has hung there. Now Reef gets injured and it's Reef.

That's why I'm saying it seems like a witch hunt. There is no "one player" problem here. It's a whole team issue and, in my opinion, you can plug back in Chris Webber and we still aren't going to be A+.

We've gone through too many problems that don't deal with the starters not playing well together. Our bench was awful throughout the beginning. Bibby, Miller and Peja were the model of inconsistancy. Then Bonzi goes out and Peja hits an alltime slump. Then Reef goes down and our bench steps up, as does Bibby and Miller.

This is more than one player remedy or problem. It's a whole team dynamic. Our whole team has never played at 100% or even 80%. There has always been multiple pieces misfiring.

I'm interested to see our original starting unit take the court .... with our bench playing the way it is currently playing. That'll be interesting.

 

[playmaker0017]

I don't disagree. We could use some scrappy players but you don't trade an All-Star for a scrapper. You trad an All-Star for an All-Star.

That's the biggest problem I think people have - they are mistaking Peja for a true all-star.

He's a phenominal shooter, but I just don't see him as an all-star. I don't expect him to change his game or do things he's incapable of.

If he could handle the basketball, bring it to the rim, dribble the ball .... anything, I might be swayed to say he's an all-star. But, he's a spot up shooter. A great asset - but not a superstar or a real all-star. An all-star brings more than one real talent to the table.

 

[JJ22L]

I don't disagree. We could use some scrappy players but you don't trade an All-Star for a scrapper. You trad an All-Star for an All-Star.

You trade good players for good scrappers or you can pick up scrappers on the cheap via free agency.

I do agree that we DESPERATELY need a shot-blocker and an interior defender.

If Peja was an all-star id agree.

 

[ParniValjak]

That's the biggest problem I think people have - they are mistaking Peja for a true all-star.

He's a phenominal shooter, but I just don't see him as an all-star. I don't expect him to change his game or do things he's incapable of.

If he could handle the basketball, bring it to the rim, dribble the ball .... anything, I might be swayed to say he's an all-star. But, he's a spot up shooter. A great asset - but not a superstar or a real all-star. An all-star brings more than one real talent to the table.

He is a 3 time All-Star and thats the only reason I refer to him as an All-Star. He is a one dimensional player. He is a great spot up shooter who is also a decent man on man defender.

There are not many great shooters in the league and they are always teams that are looking for one of those.

 

[ParniValjak]

If Peja was an all-star id agree.

Yeah lets go ahead trad Peja for Matt Barnes and I am sure all will be happy. Then down the track all will be asking for Petrie's head. Seems to be the logic around here lately.

 

[Amory]

It wasn't Peja's boss. It was a co-worker who called him out. If that happened to me, I'd settle it with the co-worker. I wouldn't go to my boss and demand a transfer and then, when the boss says "No," take my demands public.

BUT the main point is I don't think Peja has been happy since then. And - regardless of what he says in the media - I don't think he's that happy now.

Webber was the team captain and that's why I refered to him as the boss......but anyway.

Yes, the main point is that Peja hasn't been happy here. He is the best shooter in the NBA (IMO) and would do great with players that could create shots for him.........I could go on now to do at least 10 trade scenarios that we could do to kinda "build" a team that would work with that but it is worthless........and I don't feel like writing that.

 

[VF21]

Yes, the main point is that Peja hasn't been happy here. He is the best shooter in the NBA (IMO) and would do great with players that could create shots for him.........I could go on now to do at least 10 trade scenarios that we could do to kinda "build" a team that would work with that but it is worthless........and I don't feel like writing that.

And there's the conceptual difference between us. I don't think Peja is - at this point in time - the best shooter in the NBA. Hasn't been for a while. In fact, hasn't been since his back problems last year.

 

[JJ22L]

Yeah lets go ahead trad Peja for Matt Barnes and I am sure all will be happy. Then down the track all will be asking for Petrie's head. Seems to be the logic around here lately.

Ya thats exactly what i said- lets trade Peja for Matt Barnes- the only "logic" around here seems to be misconstruing someone else's posts for your own benefit.

I'm sorry to inform some of you of this, but peja is NOT all-star material and some people on this board want to make it out that way. But, im NOT saying that he should be traded for a scrub, we can still get good players in return, but your goals are lofty saying we can get an "all-star". I also agree we shouldn't trade him just to trade him. It should be carefully thought out, and i hope Petrie stops downgrading our personel with trades like he has seemed to be doing for the past few years (minus the bonzi trade).

 

[6th]

It is obvious that Peja is unhappy. Having to listen to all the fans rag on him....starting with the pinky finger....must be tough for him. I know he cares, but he has no heart in the game anymore.

This leads me to believe that Peja is walking at the end of this contract, next summer. I don't think Petrie can offer him enough to keep him here. He will take less to go somewhere else. He will not re-sign with the Kings.

So, Petrie needs to find a way to trade him in the next few weeks. Yes, we would like to get as much as we can for him, but he may have to take a less than optimum trade in order to keep from losing him for nothing.

 

[DaKings]

It really is funny how you all have pegged Peja as the scapegoat.

He's having a tough season and has been injured through most of it.

I'm no Peja fan, but you all are on a witch hunt. During Peja's hot 10 game streak everyone was saying "oh my, Peja's back" and how great he is. After he gets injured he hasn't played to that level again ... yet everyone wants his head.

I wonder if this is how you all were to Chris Webber.

Peja is one of the top players on this team. You want to find the problems, it really isn't starting with Peja. It's starting with Mike Bibby and Brad Miller.

I know, I know ... you are probably saying: "Oh my, how can this be? They've played so well!"

Well, offensively, yes ... over the season they've looked decent offensively. They're looking great over the past two games. But, defensively they are a one way, express ticket to the basket. People want to talk about Peja's poor defensive rotation - at least he attempts to rotate, the same cannot be said of Bibby. People want to talk about hustle - and our PG is consistantly being beaten down the court. Miller can't outmuscle any center in this league and he can outquick them either. He's a joke defensively. Anyone giving up a 60% average to their opponent should be strung up and shot.

Our problems this season have NOT stemmed from poor ball movement. It hasn't stemmed from a stagnant offense. It doesn't involve not being able to score. It deals with not being able to stop the opponent from scoring.

You can change lineups and play hopscotch all day ... but Bibby and Miller are refusing to play defense this year.

Last year vs This year shooting % and PPG against

Miller : 49%/19.6 ------- vs. ------- 59%/21.3
Bibby : 47% / 19.2 ------- vs. ------- 53%/20.5

That's what is killing us. We aren't playing defense.

Peja is also off from last year.

That's our problem ladies and gentlemen ... even over this two game win streak over cold opponents ... we've allowed over 51% shooting. That's terrible. Terrible. Terrible.

Well Said playmaker. I guess there are people on here who have still not jumped on the bandwagon. It makes me sick to read all these negative responses about Peja. Playmaker is right, you guys are putting all of Kings problems on Pejas shoulders because Peja doesn't look like he has a heart on the court and because he has had a rough year. I havent been a member of this forum for very long but I ve been a Kings fan ever since JayWill joined the team. I don't know what you guys were saying about Peja when he was knocking down threes and being a very valuable part of the team. You guys sure have made him look like a Heart, or Cisco caliber player. Forgotten all the good he has brought to the team.

In a way I hope he gets traded, then you will finally see that Peja is not the problem. Also, just because we won two games without Peja in the line up doesn't mean that we just figured out the big secret. If that is your thinking does that mean that Bonzi not playing is also a reason we are wining? We beat Clippers the other night and that was great, but just because we are playing a top tier team(Clips This year) doesn't mean they can't have a bad night, and that being a reason we won. We then beat Boston, ok great we are making progress, but hey wait a minute Boston is not really playing that great this year either 11-17. It was just one mediocre team beating another mediocre team. Peja when you come back I hope you prove all these guys wrong. There are still fans who support you.

 

[JJ22L]

Well Said playmaker. I guess there are people on here who have still not jumped on the bandwagon. It makes me sick to read all these negative responses about Peja. Playmaker is right, you guys are putting all of Kings problems on Pejas shoulders because Peja doesn't look like he has a heart on the court and because he has had a rough year. I havent been a member of this forum for very long but I ve been a Kings fan ever since JayWill joined the team. I don't know what you guys were saying about Peja when he was knocking down threes and being a very valuable part of the team. You guys sure have made him look like a Heart, or Cisco caliber player. Forgotten all the good he has brought to the team.

In a way I hope he gets traded, then you will finally see that Peja is not the problem. Also, just because we won two games without Peja in the line up doesn't mean that we just figured out the big secret. If that is your thinking does that mean that Bonzi not playing is also a reason we are wining? We beat Clippers the other night and that was great, but just because we are playing a top tier team(Clips This year) doesn't mean they can't have a bad night, and that being a reason we won. We then beat Boston, ok great we are making progress, but hey wait a minute Boston is not really playing that great this year either 11-17. It was just one mediocre team beating another mediocre team. Peja when you come back I hope you prove all these guys wrong. There are still fans who support you.

But, then you could go the opposite route, we got WIPED by the hornets when we had all our starters on the floor, prompty followed by loses to the knicks, (insert scrub team here that has beat us with our starting unit), until the recent one to the blazers (with certain people injured or not). Personally, us beating a mediocre team is in my book progress, in comparison to the beginning of the season. Simply because they are mediocre nowadays is nothing to complain about, or belittle, because guess what- so are the kings.

 

[VF21]

Well Said playmaker. I guess there are people on here who have still not jumped on the bandwagon. It makes me sick to read all these negative responses about Peja. Playmaker is right, you guys are putting all of Kings problems on Pejas shoulders because Peja doesn't look like he has a heart on the court and because he has had a rough year. I havent been a member of this forum for very long but I ve been a Kings fan ever since JayWill joined the team. I don't know what you guys were saying about Peja when he was knocking down threes and being a very valuable part of the team. You guys sure have made him look like a Heart, or Cisco caliber player. Forgotten all the good he has brought to the team.

In a way I hope he gets traded, then you will finally see that Peja is not the problem. Also, just because we won two games without Peja in the line up doesn't mean that we just figured out the big secret. If that is your thinking does that mean that Bonzi not playing is also a reason we are wining? We beat Clippers the other night and that was great, but just because we are playing a top tier team(Clips This year) doesn't mean they can't have a bad night, and that being a reason we won. We then beat Boston, ok great we are making progress, but hey wait a minute Boston is not really playing that great this year either 11-17. It was just one mediocre team beating another mediocre team. Peja when you come back I hope you prove all these guys wrong. There are still fans who support you.

Oh lord.

You've been a Kings fan since JWill joined the team? Oh, wow. I've been a Kings fan since 1985, as have a lot of people around here. It's not about how long you've been a fan so why even bring it up?

Had you bothered to take the time to read the plethora of threads about Peja you might understand where we're coming from. But I know it's much easier just to jump in any make assumptions about us so you can waggle your finger and act like you and you alone know what's best.

You don't think we remember how it was back in the good old days when Bibby, Doug, Peja, Chris and Vlade/Brad took our breath away on a nightly basis? Of course we remember, but that time is PAST.

Read the comments carefully before you judge any of us. Peja is just like any other NBA player. We should be able to be critical of his shortcomings without having to defend our comments. We haven't bashed him, we haven't resorted to name-calling, etc. We are criticizing - and rightly so - him as a player on our favorite team. It's about the team for the majority of us and if we think Peja - or Bibby - or even Ronnie Price - should be traded, then we're going to say it. It is, after all, why message boards exist. People talk and debate pretty much everything about the team the board is created for.

 

[BawLa]

Oh lord.

You've been a Kings fan since JWill joined the team? Oh, wow. I've been a Kings fan since 1985, as have a lot of people around here. It's not about how long you've been a fan so why even bring it up?

Had you bothered to take the time to read the plethora of threads about Peja you might understand where we're coming from. But I know it's much easier just to jump in any make assumptions about us so you can waggle your finger and act like you and you alone know what's best.

You don't think we remember how it was back in the good old days when Bibby, Doug, Peja, Chris and Vlade/Brad took our breath away on a nightly basis? Of course we remember, but that time is PAST.

Read the comments carefully before you judge any of us. Peja is just like any other NBA player. We should be able to be critical of his shortcomings without having to defend our comments. We haven't bashed him, we haven't resorted to name-calling, etc. We are criticizing - and rightly so - him as a player on our favorite team. It's about the team for the majority of us and if we think Peja - or Bibby - or even Ronnie Price - should be traded, then we're going to say it. It is, after all, why message boards exist. People talk and debate pretty much everything about the team the board is created for.

Well said VF.

I'm not saying last night was the best game in the King's history but look at the thing that brought me the most happiness...consistency.

We scored 28, 31, 28, 29 in each quarter respectively. When consistency slaps you in the face it is time to pay attention.

When we can get those numbers to 30+ per quarter then I will be happy, win or loss. I remember the good ol days. I know it is the past but I want them back. Look at Phoenix. For 2 years now they have been outscoring thier opponents. I know we are not Phoenix but the idea is the same. Offensive efficiency is the most important. Grab some boards, and the occasional block/steal to help swing momentum and to have more opportunities than your opponent so if they are shooting well too, then you still win. Free throw effeciency is either #2 or #3.

Execution and consistency are the main factors in our losses. And they are parts of the foundation that you need to build on.

Well we can't build until we repair our foundation.