The NBA qualifiers are underway, and the Sacramento Kings don’t take part (as soon as once more). With the franchise that has simply been accomplished its fortieth season in Sacramento, it now appears nearly as good as something to consider the previous and have a good time a number of the greatest gamers who’ve ever tailored for the Kings.
Within the coming weeks, I’ll current a “all time” participant from Sacramento Kings on the similar time. We’re going to begin in small place ahead with a followers favourite and one of many largest shooters to play within the NBA: Peja Stojaković.
Peja Stojakovic is likely one of the best shooters within the historical past of the NBA and likewise had one of the crucial spectacular passes of all time.
– Ballislife.com (@bollislife) June 10, 2018
Predrag Stojaković started enjoying skilled basketball in his native Yugoslavia (SFR Yugoslavia) in 1992 on the age of 15 and moved to Greece the next 12 months. After ready for a 12 months for his Greek citizenship, Stojaković performed within the Greek Basketball League for the subsequent 4 seasons.
The Sacramento Kings chosen Stojaković with the 14th selection on the RBA 1996 NBA, whereas the attacker nonetheless performed in Greece. Stojaković wouldn’t make his debut for the Kings earlier than the NBA 1998-1999 season, throughout which he began a single match.
After a second season that leaves the bench, Stojaković lastly fell for the departure coaching in the course of the 2000-2001 season on the age of 23. The 6’10 ”Serbian” has not wasteped time having an influence, as a result of it has a median of greater than 20 factors per recreation in its first season as a starter. Three -point seaside.
Watch some 2000-01 Peja Stojakovic! Listed here are the protruding details of his 3 greatest rating video games of this season
VS 76ers: 33 pts on 9-20 FG, 6-11 3pt (67.6 TS%)
vs Suns: 33 pts on 13-22 FG, 5-7 3pt (72.1 TS%)
VS Raptors: 39 pts on 14-29 FG, 6-10 3pt (61.6 TS%)#Kings pic.twitter.com/gcza0gquqv– 🏆🥇 (@ fsh733) April 23, 2025
Stojaković did his first NBA stars staff in her fourth season, with a median of 21 factors per match in profession taking pictures percentages of 48.4% on the sector and 41.6% out of three. Peja additionally gained the primary of his two consecutive three-point competitions in the course of the Stars Weekend in 2002.
THE The ascent of the outdated phenomenon To a beginning function with the Kings have coincided with probably the most profitable years within the historical past of the franchise. From the 2000-2001 season and ended with the 2004-2005 season, the Sacramento Kings have a median of 56 victories per season. The Kings made three journeys to the semi-finals of the Western Convention and a visit to the Western Convention remaining on this part.
Stojaković was an integral a part of these groups, with a median of greater than 21 factors and pulling greater than 40% on a seaside of three factors mixed throughout these 5 seasons. Alongside the best way, Peja completed second within the voting of probably the most improved gamers in 2001, made three groups of stars and gained a second place within the All-NBA staff in 2004 whereas ending fourth within the MVP vote this season.
In ’03 -’04, Peja Stojaković has a median of 24.2 ppg on 62.4 TS% reaching 43.3% of its 6.8 3PA / G. Was earlier than his time to be a jumbo wing organising 3 at excessive quantity within the early 2000s. Might need taken 30 per evening if he culminated now. Underestimated hoop. pic.twitter.com/8faf1iy6ga
– NBA College (@nba_university) February 21, 2023
There are only a few debates in accordance with which Stojaković is the best striker within the historical past of the Kings of Sacramento, and he stays one of the crucial beloved former gamers within the franchise. The mix of particular person prowess and excellence on the bottom, in addition to the key contributions to probably the most profitable interval within the historical past of the staff, cemented Peja’s heritage amongst Kings followers.
Native accidents on the neck and again compelled Stojaković from basketball in 2011 after successful a championship with the Dallas Mavericks. He retired from his jersey No. 16 by the Kings in 2014.
Peja returned to a job Within the staff entrance workplace in 2015. Throughout his mandate with the group of Kings, Stojaković was director of employees and gamers’ growth, deputy director basic and managing director of the staff’s G-League subsidiary, The Stockton Kings. He then left the function of assistant GM in 2020.
