When it comes to oversized shooters, the first name that comes to the minds of many is Dirk Nowitzki. However, there was another giant with shooting guard-like abilities who played during that era. His name is Peja Stojakovic, and he was lethal from the outside with a fairly expansive offensive skill set.
Let’s start with the basics. Stojakovic was a dead-eye shooter from 3-point land. If you could get him the ball in a catch and shoot scenario, the Croation was nearly automatic, sporting a career 40.1 percent conversion rate from beyond the arc.
At 6-foot-9, those who were able to contest Peja’s sweet-looking shots usually weren’t accustomed to guarding out on the perimeter. So even if the defense managed to keep with him, Stojakovic could still find a way to get off a clean look.
It was his size that also allowed him to bully smaller opponents in the mid-post, which usually ended with a fadeaway jumper that not many perimeter players could get a hand near.
For about a little over eight seasons in Sacramento, Peja appeared to be to the Kings what Ray Allen was to the Boston Celtics, never often the go-to guy late in games, but someone you could turn to for game-clinching free-throws or game-tying shots down by three.
For all his scoring abilities, Stojakovic flies fairly under the radar when discussing those famous Kings teams. After all, the dude averaged 18.3 points while in Sacramento including four seasons above the 20-point mark.
He provided room to operate for others and could always get a bucket when called upon. A three-time All-Star who ranks top 20 all-time in 3-pointers made, Peja was truly one of the games most underrated snipers and scorers.