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Ailene Voisin: Kings wait for Peja to show
By Ailene Voisin -- Bee Sports Columnist
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, March 14, 2005
The year-long slide of Peja Stojakovic continues, interrupted
only occasionally by the flashbacks, by those 2003-04 memories
suddenly posing as a mirage. The outbursts of three-pointers
and dunks in transition, the timely steals and muscular rebounds
during critical sequences, and the impassioned, exuberant
performances that characterized the Kings' absolutely delightful
share-the-ball, share-the-accolades approach to the job.
For a while there - for the better part of last season, in fact -
the news at 11 was a replay.
The ball moves. The Kings win. Peja scores.
Peja scores ... Peja defends ... Peja rebounds ...
In his sixth season, Stojakovic was an emerging all-purpose threat,
seemingly on the cusp of becoming someone special. The All-Star Game
was a lock, the long-distance contest his to lose, the chatter about
his MVP candidacy legitimate, even though it says here, much too
premature. No longer the physically intimidated, if gifted youngster
from Greece, he chased loose balls, pursued long rebounds, attacked
the basket with an expanding array of spinning, twisting reverse
layups, and when necessary, absorbed
the hit.
Was it all so long ago?
Was it only a year ago?
But now, and for a variety of reasons, the veteran small forward is
searching for a map of the comeback trail, with four weeks and a
playoff to turn around a season, to kick-start a still young career.
Without digressing too deeply into the dark and stormy postseason
and offseason of the recent past, Stojakovic's struggles are
attributable to three main factors: the erosion of offensive
continuity and crisp ball movement that occurred when Chris Webber
returned last March, then persisted into the current season,
reducing Peja's touches and scoring opportunities; nagging back
and hamstring strains that have yet to completely heal following
a combined 11-game injury absence; and a non-confrontational
personality that causes him to withdraw rather than stage a
counter-offensive.
In other words, he would rather fit in than fight. His preference
was to caress those beautiful passes from Vlade Divac, Doug Christie
and Brad Miller, his comfort zone more consistent with being a
recipient than an initiator. In a sense he was spoiled, spoonfed
by three superior, creative and generous passers, among them the
greatest passing center of his era. But Divac is gone, Christie
is gone, and Miller is gone for the next four to six weeks, which
means that Peja has to adjust, has to grow up, has
to find other ways to earn a living.
He has to sprint for 94, making himself a more visible target. He
has to cut underneath, utilizing his considerable strength and
quickness when coming off screens. He has to go get the ball, set
some screens, provide opportunities for others and for himself. And
he has to remain active throughout, exploiting that sturdy, 6-foot-10
muscled physique of his, certainly collecting more rebounds than he
did these past two games (three boards in 79 minutes).
"Yeah, I have to be more aggressive," said Stojakovic, nodding, after
the streaking Houston Rockets had exposed the Kings on the perimeter
and on the boards. "Especially I have to rebound better. That's an
effort thing. You can't just wait for the ball to come to you, and I
have been doing that. But I am starting to get my conditioning back,
and feeling stronger on the court. When you're hurt, you can't practice,
and you get tired on the court. I think it's starting to come back for
me."
Sunday, there were at least a few reasons for optimism. Two days after
one of the worst performances of his career - a six-point, one-rebound,
one-assist outing against the Los Angeles Clippers - and a week after
blowing four layups against the Detroit Pistons, Stojakovic responded
with a lively opening half. This was more like Peja, more like the old
Peja.
While Mike Bibby was enduring one of his rare off-days from the
perimeter, Stojakovic stroked three quick threes, scored on the
break, found open teammates with three assists, asserted himself
and became more than just a decoy waiting on the wings, waving for
the ball.
And perhaps for the first time since returning from his most recent
injury absence (hamstring), he didn't move like he was hurt. Or afraid
of getting hurt. He wasn't timid against the Rockets, which should
only work to his benefit; otherwise, newcomers Corliss Williamson
and Kenny Thomas will devour his minutes.
"We've just got to get Peja to have faith in himself again," assistant
Pete Carril said thoughtfully. "Start moving. Running the floor. Getting
his body in there, in tough situations. Regain his confidence. All the
stuff that can be suggested, but only one man can do anything about."
Peja knows what he can do, and of course, so does everyone else.
Why not now?
If not now, when?
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