Built Ford Tough Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 (edited) After cementing his reputation as one of the finest shooters in NBA history by helping the Dallas Mavericks win their first championship, Peja Stojakovic has decided to retire after 13 seasons. Stojakovic told ESPN.com on Monday that the physical toll caused by a string of back and neck troubles, at 34, convinced the three-time All-Star that "it's time" to step away from the game despite interest from a handful of contenders in signing the sharpshooter away from the Mavericks. "When you start competing against your body more than you're preparing for the actual game," Stojakovic said, "it's a wakeup call." Stojakovic does have the privilege of leaving the sport on an unquestioned high after some standout moments during the maiden title run in Mavericks history. He scored 15 points and 21 points in back-to-back home victories over the Los Angeles Lakers that sealed a second-round sweep over the then-reigning champions, including a 6-for-6 performance from 3-point range in the Game 4 rout that eliminated L.A. But Stojakovic had to grit through persistent neck trouble in March -- believed to be connected to his longstanding back woes -- just to work his way back into coach Rick Carlisle's playoff rotation. He leaves the NBA with career averages of 17 points and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range, ranking fourth all-time with 1,760 careers 3-pointers made after establishing himself as an All-Star with the Sacramento Kings and later playing with the Indiana Pacers, New Orleans Hornets and Mavericks. After breaking into the pro game at 14 with Red Star Belgrade, Stojakovic went on to star in Greece and also helped the Serbian national team, then playing as Yugoslavia, win championships at the 2001 Eurobasket tournament and the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis. http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/7370035/peja-stojakovic-decides-retirement-dallas-mavericks-championship-run I loved watching Peja play in his prime. A lot of people seem to forget just how good he was for those early 2000 Kings teams and think he was just a spot up shooter but he was much more than that. Glad to see him be able to get a ring before his body completely failed him and forced him to retire. Probably my favourite Peja memory was this pass to Bobby Jackson. I actually remember watching that game and couldn't believe that he pulled something like that off. Absolutely sick: Absolutely sick. Edited December 20, 2011 by Built Ford Tough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChosenOne Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 One of the best shooters the league has ever scene he will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MainEv3nt Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 went out with a bang 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Feelgood Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Sad to see him go. He had such a badass career in Sacramento. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 One of the best shooters the league has ever scene he will be missed.http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdTbUpcs8mY/TldLl90TfxI/AAAAAAAAA5s/3f2nKyJ0QoQ/s1600/cmon-man.jpg 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YugoRocketsFan Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 One of my fav players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guru Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 (edited) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdTbUpcs8mY/TldLl90TfxI/AAAAAAAAA5s/3f2nKyJ0QoQ/s1600/cmon-man.jpg What? He was one of the best shooters the league as ever seen. 4th all time in 3pt fgs made. edit: completely missed the fact that he said "scene" lmfaodisregard my previous comment Edited December 20, 2011 by Guru 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sportsguy9695 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 this guy was a beast back in the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNotoriousBANG Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 he's always gonna be remembered as a Sacramento King[expletive] all those other teams he played for, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finch23 Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Retirement thread for Peja, but not for Mcdyess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNotoriousBANG Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Retirement thread for Peja, but not for Mcdyess? no one cares about mcdyess he spent the majority of his career on irrelevant teams like the old nuggets. Peja spent it on a exiting kings team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lkr Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 What? He was one of the best shooters the league as ever seen. 4th all time in 3pt fgs made. edit: completely missed the fact that he said "scene" lmfaodisregard my previous commenthahahaha you almost got a cmon man for yourself! Peja will always be that great player on the Kings in my mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Some great players leaving the league this year in Peja, Dice, and Roy. Peja will always be one of my favorite players. He was so deadly with the Kings. When he was traded to the raptors I was so happy but I felt bad at the same time cause he had to play with a team with no hope. I was happy he was at least able to play one game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sħãlïq™ Posted December 20, 2011 Report Share Posted December 20, 2011 Already?! C'mon, man.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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