Every NBA team's greatest shooter of all time

Every NBA team’s greatest shooter of all time

OAKLAND, CA - 1995: Kenny Smith #30 of the Houston Rockets stretches against the Portland Trail Blazers during a game played circa 1995 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Brad Mangin/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 15: Peja Stojakovic #16 of the New Orleans Hornets shoots a free throw against the Dallas Mavericks on November 15, 2010 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

New Orleans Pelicans: Peja Stojakovic

The third consecutive franchise that has had its difficulties locking down a true long-term shooter. However, unlike Memphis and Minnesota, they were able to employ an elite shooter from another franchise. Peja Stojakovic was an All-NBA player in his time with the Sacramento Kings, but prior to the Croatian hanging it up in 2011 he spent five seasons showing off his sweet stroke for the New Orleans franchise.

In his time with the then named Hornets, Stojakovic shot 40.4 percent on 3-pointers. During their two trips to the playoffs Stojakovic’s shooting skyrocketed up to 46.8 percent from 3 in 17 total games. Teamed up with Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler, Stojakovic had a one-track mind offensively: keep the floor spread for New Orleans three-headed monster.

At 6-foot-9 and 220 pounds, Stojakovic was well put together for a wing, easily knocking down perimeter shots over the defense and able to work out of the post when teams tried to play him with a smaller player. As noted above, Stojakovic’s run as one of the premiere players on his team came during the seven years he spent in Sacramento. In the bouts between the Kings and Lakers he was often the player Phil Jackson and the Lakers defense gave the most attention to.

A bit of an overlooked prospect from that famous 1996 NBA Draft, it didn’t take long for Peja to find his footing in the league. By his sixth season he had already nearly doubled the amount of 3-pointers he attempted per game. After 13 seasons in the league, Stojakovic brought his career to a close after winning the 2011 NBA Finals as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. Though he didn’t play much against the Heat, he was crucial to the success that Dallas had in the lead up to that series.

In the end, Peja had to walk away from the game due to lingering back and neck issues.

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