<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sacramento Kings star Small Forward Peja Stojakovic voiced his displeasure with the direction the Kings are headed in a recent interview in his home country of Serbia and Montenegro with B92, historically the most trusted news source in the country. He appears to be unhappy with the fact that the Kings refused to pay his teammate Vlade Divac the money needed to keep him in Sacramento and also addresses what appeared to be him being singled out by teammate Chris Webber for the dissapointing way the season ended in a post-game press conference. B92: Now that Vlade has left, Sacramento's game will surely change. Do you see yourself in a Kings uniform, or would you like to go to another team? Peja: Vlade's signing with L.A. is more business than basketball. He did what was best for him, and Kings management did what was best for them... I spent six great years with Vlade. I would say he is the best teammate I've had in my career, a good friend. I wish him all the best. He will probably try to end his NBA career with the team he started it with. As for me, I don't really know if I'd like to stay with the Kings. It's obvious that this team needs a change, a fresh start, new faces. Will there be a change in the starting five, or the second string, I don't know. Those things are done secretly in the NBA, and us players find out only after we're traded. I've already said that I was disappointed with Divac's departure because he gave so much to the Kings and helped put Sacramento on the basketball map. I'm disappointed because he wasn't given the chance to finish his career here. I told Kings management that they handled Vlade's situation badly, because he helped bring this team off of the ground. Again, the NBA is more business than basketball. B92: What is your reaction to the way last season ended and Chris Webber's comments about a few players not giving the effort he expected? Or do you not want to comment? Peja: Every player expressed their insecurities after the season ended. I don't know what to say. I don't want to point my finger at any single player. I think we've achieved a lot in the past four or five years, and no player should be singled out in victory or loss. I think we've had greater losses than those of the previous season. I think the window for this team is closing and because of that I say that change is needed. I don't think it's necessary to talk about who said what. No one wanted to lose. That is the past, and we are going forward and awaiting the start of the next season.</div> Full Article Courtesy of RealGM.com
Intresting..but I agree the Kings need change,I'd see they need to trade Peja fore someone whp can peform in the play offs.
sad but true you figure you look at the kings starting five that could bepf the future. wihout Peja and a hundred percent webber who else is on this roster excluding already departured Divac. <u><font size="5">Mike bibby</font></u> i think the kings are better than they started at pg but now they have no oneels to help there pg. <font face="Palatino Linotype"><font size="3"><u>I wonder if the kings lost chemistry after Jason williams left?</u></font></font>
The Kings need a change.i don't know if trading Peja is the answer,but it's nice to know that the Kings players are not happy with the direction of the team.i wish more players spoke out like this,and maybe they can not only talk it,but do it as well.
trading Stojakovic at this point makes no sense. he needs to step up his game in the post season, thats for sure, but I cant see a solid reason for getting rid of him now. Perhaps the fact that Divac is gone now & someone else is going to have to step up to the role that he played will make a difference. It could be anyone on this team including Webber and Stojakovic, but we shall have to wait untill the season starts untill we find out. I will say this however, If they dont get to the WCF this year, there is going to be a big big shakeup in the kings lineup and the only people I would expect to see back the following season would be Bibby and Miller
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting harbingerofdoom:</div><div class="quote_post"> I will say this however, If they dont get to the WCF this year, there is going to be a big big shakeup in the kings lineup and the only people I would expect to see back the following season would be Bibby and Miller</div> And perhaps Coach Adelman getting the axe if he can't get Sacromento the NBA crown.This 2004-2005 season is definetly make it or break it for the Kings.The question is can they make it??
Wow peja always was one of the most loyal kings member to here him say I am not sure if I want to play for them is really shocking. I am surprised that webber actually called peja out for the dissapointing way the season ended. Who missed the winning shot? Webber not peja. I think someone from the kings orginization needs to contact peja and get the team managment and peja on the same page before he demands a trade. It is hard to picture were the kings would be if peja hadent been there this year. C-webb imo doesnt have the right to call anyone out after missing more than half the year and in his entire career with the kings missing a combined total of games that equals out to be three full nba season. Peja appears to me to be quickly becoming the kings franchise player over c-webb. If he is displeased with c-webb the kings coul be having a shaq kobe arguement developing inside the team right now. They need to get everyone on the same page or they will become the way they were when mitch richmond played for them.
This is not a really uncommon thing to say in my eyes. Since this (USA) is a bigger country than Serbia & Montenegro much more is in focus when it comes to the media, and much more media is acceptable throughout the internet, TV, newspapers, and radio. Over there, and especially now after a major civil war, not many services like these (ESPN, Fox Sports Net) are provided, so the news does not reach much of the nation. Much of the nation as well does not care about basketball as do Americans. Here is where the larger fan base is, and over the it is all mainy centered around soccer. Peja probably just did this interview to relieve some of his thoughts and to make him self feel better, it is another thing that an internet agency all the way in the States digs it up from a Serbian website, and exploits it to the fullest as if it were some big deal.
Give Peja his due...he wasn't afraid to speak his mind.I Admire that actually.if we had more people speak out on how they feel,it might do a whole lot of good to thrash it out.hopefully it was a wake up call to the Maloofs to think upon??
I know it is hard to accept, but the Kings are deteriorating. It happens. They had their time but now it is over. They will begin unloading payroll and trying to land young, upcoming players. It is the nature of the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dond:</div><div class="quote_post">I know it is hard to accept, but the Kings are deteriorating. It happens. They had their time but now it is over. They will begin unloading payroll and trying to land young, upcoming players. It is the nature of the game.</div> No,it's not hard for me as a Kings fan.The Kings should have let the Younger players have more ball time,esp this past season.Peja can still play,but what i'd like to see this Kings team do here is get more younger defensive players,and run with it.will it happen?..it should.this season is make or break for the Kings!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MR_SAC_KING:</div><div class="quote_post">No,it's not hard for me as a Kings fan.The Kings should have let the Younger players have more ball time,esp this past season.Peja can still play,but what i'd like to see this Kings team do here is get more younger defensive players,and run with it.will it happen?..it should.this season is make or break for the Kings!</div> It's awesome to see an objective KINGS fan, nice. I agree this is going to be a make or break year for the Kings, they need to do something and I would say that Peja isn't the problem I think they need to move C. Webb. Hey, just my thoughts, as of right now they aren't better than the Kings or Wolves and they need to find a way to get Home court for they are a devasting team at home. Peace
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting anthonyazn:</div><div class="quote_post">It's awesome to see an objective KINGS fan, nice. I agree this is going to be a make or break year for the Kings, they need to do something and I would say that Peja isn't the problem I think they need to move C. Webb. Hey, just my thoughts, as of right now they aren't better than the Kings or Wolves and they need to find a way to get Home court for they are a devasting team at home. Peace</div> Thanks ...Yeah the Kings DEFINETLY need things to shape up.C.Webb can still play,if he proves that he can play,fine,but i don't like his moaning about why he should get time on the court cause he's the star.that kind of crap will keep the team down in the long run.this is a make it or break it year for Webber for sure
MR_SAC_KING Next year,Forget About the Lakers,Because the NBA Western Conference will be Dominated by the Kings!!! Haha better change that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MR_SAC_KING:</div><div class="quote_post">And perhaps Coach Adelman getting the axe if he can't get Sacromento the NBA crown.This 2004-2005 season is definetly make it or break it for the Kings.The question is can they make it??</div> if they dont make it to the finals this year, I fully expect it to be Adlemans last year in Sac
The Kings aren't going anywhere unless they make some changes. Bibby, Webber, Peja & co. have yet to get the job done, so what would change things for next season? Unless they sign some solid FA's, or make a decent trade or two, the Kings aren't going anywhere. The western conference is tough, and the Kings don't have enough to compete come playoff time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting r4shox01:</div><div class="quote_post">Trade Peja Or Fire Adelman...</div> care to give an argument rather than stating useless opinion?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting harbingerofdoom:</div><div class="quote_post">if they dont make it to the finals this year, I fully expect it to be Adlemans last year in Sac</div> That's bascially what i feel will happen myself.Adelman better get the Kings get their U know what together,and fast
