Forgotten Ballers: Peja Stojakovic
Peja Stojakovic getting his number retired by the Sacramento Kings
(Photo Credit: nba.com)
The 2000s featured several iconic NBA players who immortalized their mark on the history of basketball and transformed how the game is played. The first guys that come to mind from this era have to be the legendary Black Mamba and Big Fundamental, also known by their real names Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Kobe’s scoring ability, extreme dedication, and work ethic to become one of the greatest players of all time, mirroring the golden standard of Michael Jordan, led his Lakers to five championships between 2000 and 2010. Tim Duncan’s masterful art of basketball fundamentals in all aspects of the game, and most notably on the defensive side of the ball, led his Spurs to five championships and 19 playoff appearances in his 19-year career. Allen Iverson’s scoring ability as a small six-foot tall guard was mesmerizing, as was his style and swag that influenced the next generation. Ray Allen was the greatest three-point shooter of all time until Steph Curry came along. Dirk Nowitzki established himself as the most skilled scoring big man until KD. Everybody also remembers the Suns’ revolutionary fast-paced offense led by Steve Nash and company. Stars from the legendary 2003 draft LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Bosh made names for themselves in this decade. However, there remains one name that cannot be forgotten in the lore of 2000’s NBA basketball. This man’s play style was far ahead of its time as he was an absolutely elite three-point shooter despite being a 6-foot-10 power forward: Peja Stojakovic, one of the NBA’s first true stretch-fours.
Peja Stojakovic was drafted fourteenth overall in the 1996 NBA draft out of Greece, just one pick after Kobe and one spot ahead of Steve Nash. Standing at 6-foot-10, Stojakovic had a unique skill set for his size, mostly known for his ability to shoot the ball from long range. He would continue to play for PAOK in Greece for two seasons after he was drafted until the Sacramento Kings signed him ahead of the 1998-99 season. After spending his first two NBA seasons coming off the bench, Stojakovic had a breakout year in the 2000-01 season, in which he would not only become a starter, but average 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds a game at incredible efficiency from three-point range, shooting 40 percent. His performance that year would earn him the 2001 Most Improved Player award. The following season, the Sacramento Kings seemed like they would finally get over the hump as a franchise as they put forth a well-built championship-contending roster. They finished the regular season 61-21 and first place in the Western Conference with Stojakovic contributing 21.2 points and 5.3 rebounds on even better efficiency, shooting 41.6 percent from three-point range and 48.4 percent overall. Ultimately, the Kings would end up falling in a playoff heartbreaker to the Shaq and Kobe Lakers in seven games in the Western Conference Finals. Although, many fans will quickly point out the questionable officiating during that series. Throughout his time in Sacramento, Stojakovic would remain a reliable scorer and shooter, consistently shooting around 40 percent from three and reaching his scoring peak in the 2003-04 season at 24.2 points per game. His consistent significant scoring contributions and efficient three-point shooting would continue even after he was traded to the Pacers during the 2005-06 season and still remained solid during his time in New Orleans. Unfortunately, injuries would get the better of Stojakovic in the 2010-11 season as he reached 33 years old. However, his career would have the happy ending it deserved after he landed with the Dallas Mavericks midway through that season. Appearing in 25 regular season games and 19 playoff games for the Mavericks, Stojakovic would play a key role coming off the bench as a sharpshooter for the Mavs, helping them win the 2011 NBA championship.
Although Peja Stojakovic’s career may have been overshadowed by more accomplished men in his era, he definitely deserves his flowers as an absolute sniper and bonafide NBA star in his prime. Nowadays, having a tall forward who is able to stretch the floor and shoot from outside is quite common throughout the NBA, and it has even become expected for taller players to at least have a respectable ability to shoot the ball from long range. This was a relatively new concept back in Stojakovic’s hay day in the early 2000s when NBA basketball was far more traditional, and positions were much more defined than they are today. Guys like Kevin Love, Lauri Markannen, and Ryan Anderson, who have made careers out of being able to shoot from deep while being tall power forwards, owe it to Peja Stojakovic, who helped pave the way for players like them.
