New Orleans Pelicans All-Time Franchise Team: Starting Small Forward

Dec 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings former player

next to Kings owner Vivek Ranadive during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Matt (@Matt_Cianfrone): Peja Stojakovic

Sometimes people are just born to do certain things. Peja Stojakovic was one of those people, and he was clearly born to shoot a basketball. Thanks to that ability, which he demonstrated plenty in New Orleans, Stojakovic lands as the starting small forward on my All-Time franchise team.

New Orleans Peja was a player that feels a bit under-appreciated by many people because he came a bit before his time to really shine. It was true that Stojakovic was never a lockdown defender, or brilliant passer but that never mattered. What mattered was that Peja knocked down a ridiculous amount of three-pointers on a large number of attempts season after season.

In New Orleans Stojakovic had somewhat of a last hurrah, knocking down over 40 percent of his threes during his first two seasons as Chris Paul‘s wingman. There was something special about when Peja would get hot from beyond the arc leading to Paul searching him out open, or at least open for Peja, attempts. At that point there was an almost certain feeling from anyone watching the Hornets that the shot Stojakovic was letting go would be good, something that only happens with the most special players.

That feeling, combined with a few seasons of usefulness and Jamal Mashburn‘s injuries, led me to giving the starting nod to Stojakovic and being happy with the decision.

Next: Austin's Choice