Scott: Peja Gets Bad Rap For His Defense

KG-MVP21 · 10-10-2006, 09:58 AM

The Times Picauyne - A week into training camp, when Hornets Coach Byron Scott was asked if there were any negatives with playing Peja Stojakovic at the two and Desmond Mason at the three -- he succinctly said, "No."

"(On defense), it depends on matchups and who we're playing," Scott said. "Desmond's obviously a better defender, so if you have a two and a three man who are both real good offensively, then it's kind of like pick your poison. It just depends on who I think will do what against certain guys."

"I'll be on the offensive threat," Mason said. "It will be the same guys I've been guarding -- Tracy (McGrady), Kobe (Bryant), Vince (Carter). . . . But me and Peja, we switch anyways, so he'll end up on those guys at times. But they'll be my matchup."

And while Stojakovic isn't necessarily Bruce Bowen on defense, Scott isn't worried.

"Peja does a pretty good job of staying in front of guys, making them shoot over him," said Scott. "He uses that length. He's just smarter. And he knows how to use his height advantage. He's a veteran -- he's been in the league long enough that he knows how to play defense."

Stojakovic may miss tonight's Hornets preseason opener, opting to rest his cramping leg.

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10-10-2006, 09:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
KG-MVP21 All Star Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Catalonia Posts: 2,503	The Times Picauyne - A week into training camp, when Hornets Coach Byron Scott was asked if there were any negatives with playing Peja Stojakovic at the two and Desmond Mason at the three -- he succinctly said, "No." "(On defense), it depends on matchups and who we're playing," Scott said. "Desmond's obviously a better defender, so if you have a two and a three man who are both real good offensively, then it's kind of like pick your poison. It just depends on who I think will do what against certain guys." "I'll be on the offensive threat," Mason said. "It will be the same guys I've been guarding -- Tracy (McGrady), Kobe (Bryant), Vince (Carter). . . . But me and Peja, we switch anyways, so he'll end up on those guys at times. But they'll be my matchup." And while Stojakovic isn't necessarily Bruce Bowen on defense, Scott isn't worried. "Peja does a pretty good job of staying in front of guys, making them shoot over him," said Scott. "He uses that length. He's just smarter. And he knows how to use his height advantage. He's a veteran -- he's been in the league long enough that he knows how to play defense." Stojakovic may miss tonight's Hornets preseason opener, opting to rest his cramping leg.