| NBA BASKETBALL |
Feb. 9, 2003 |
NBA Shootout Quotes
PEJA STOJAKOVIC, Sacramento Kings
Q: Did you think you were going to get a do-over or did you know what happened when the music stopped?
Stojakovic: I knew that they changed the rules from last year; that we should go another 60 seconds, but it's just that buzzer, it kind of threw me off. I was just about -- usually by third rack, fourth rack, it just threw me off a little bit. I'm glad that they realized that.
So I got a chance to go again and so they did the right thing.
Q: Any fatigue set in at all?
Stojakovic: Not really.
Q: So you don't practice, just go and shoot?
Stojakovic: I just go don't practice. My first year when I did practice, I lost to Ray Allen so I decided never again. Just show up.
Q: Was defending this title more difficult than last year?
Stojakovic: Well, I felt more comfortable this year because I knew what to expect and it wasn't too much pressure on me. So I was just shooting the ball and having fun out there.
Q: You missed your money balls early.
Stojakovic: In the first round, yeah. In the first round I missed all the money balls.
Q: Did that concern you or did you figure if you got through the next round you would be all right?
Stojakovic: I was just hoping in the beginning before the competition that I would go like second or third, because you're still warm from the shooting before that.
That's what happened. But after that, I waited for a longer time. It's different.
Q: Are you going to change anything for next year? You would win it three times in a row. Are you thinking about that at all?
Stojakovic: Not really. Who knows? Got to see what happens next year. Just enjoy myself right now.
Q: You do plan oncoming back and defending?
Stojakovic: I don't know about that. Let's see.
Q: You going to get jaded on me?
Stojakovic: Retire as winner. (Laughter).
WESLEY PERSON, Memphis Grizzlies
Q: What did you think of the slight controversy there? Did you think Peja should be given another shot?
Person: Well, it's kind of quick right now. The main thing that threw me off, I thought I would have won it myself or second in that contest because that's very important, to see what's on the scoreboard. I positioned myself to be there in the end. I shot before him and you know how it is when you compete, you see what's out there on the board and just try to go out there and beat that.
Q: So you were distracted by the way it worked out?
Person: A little bit because you're trying to set yourself, as the rules are set, put yourself in position and control your own destiny and just shoot. That's important in the Finals like that because a guy shoots so well and then you want to make sure what's on the board and you want to shoot.
Q: Why did you start from the left, and does the money ball feel different than the other balls?
Person: No, because in practice before every game, that's the way I warm up shooting my 3, from left-to-right.
Q: Does the money ball feel different? It looks different; you missed a couple of them. Was there a different feel?
Person: No, I think it's more mental. I think once you pick that ball up and once you get to that ball you want to make sure you put your best hook on it. Sometimes that's not good when you start thinking to let the money ball go, and I think that's what happened.
Q: It's been you and Peja now for two years. Are you going to try to come back and beat him next year?
Person: I can't get away from that guy. I put my best shot in front of myself and gave myself a chance to win. Seemed like he had a chance with that money ball to put me away and gave me a chance. That's the reason why they changed the ball from 30 seconds to 60 seconds in case there was a tie, we could decide who is the better shooter.
InsideHoops.com is the online leader in professional basketball coverage.
|