Fansided

30 players who define each NBA franchise

By Adam McGee

Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan unveils the new Charlotte Hornets logo at halftime during the game against the Utah Jazz at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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#16. player. 67. . SF. Sacramento Kings 1998-06. Peja Stojakovic

Honorable Mentions: Oscar Robertson, Vlade Divac, Chris Webber

Dec 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings former players Peja Stojakovic before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings former players Peja Stojakovic before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Having been drafted with the 14th overall pick of the 1996 Draft, by the time Peja Stojakovic came over to the NBA a couple of years later he was already a superstar in Europe. Stojakovic was the Euroleague’s leading scorer in 1998, and therefore he came to the US ready to play, and ready to contend.

Generally landing with the Kings can be a death knell for any player’s hopes of contending, but Stojakovic was a different caliber of player, and he happened to land in Northern California at a particularly good time. With a group of talented teammates in tow, Stojakovic made the playoffs in each of his eight seasons.

The best of all of those seasons came in 2002, when many would argue they deserved to make it to the Finals. It wasn’t to be though, and the history book will always read that they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.

Peja takes the heat off his teammates because opponents are so worried about him. –  Rick Adelman

Stojakovic is remembered as a great shooter and a creative offensive player, but he did so many different things to help the Kings thrive during his time with the franchise. Stojakovic ranks in the top ten in Kings history in points, steals, field goal percentage and minutes, and averaged 18.3 points overall as a King.

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