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Eric Koreen: Kevin Nash, the wrestler, has a brown Yorkie named Peja, named after Stojakovic. Good profile: http://es.pn/MhUx2Z Twitter

Peja Stojakovic, Kevin Nash 

After a few hugs and handshakes, Stojakovic had a brief talk with the media, where he discussed his retirement and why he wouldn't think to miss the ring ceremony the Mavs had prior to the game against the Timberwolves. "It's different than what I'm used to doing," Stojakovic said of his retirement. "I'm living more of a regular lifestyle. "Family. Kids. I'm enjoying it." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic 

Minnesota coach Rick Adelman was Stojakovic's coach in Sacramento from his rookie season in 1998 until 2006. So, he was more than happy to see one of his protégés receive a championship ring. "He's a great guy, too," Adelman said. "He's a terrific guy. He's had the back problems and stuff like that recently." Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic 

Every Maverick who was on the championship roster will get his ring in Dallas this season -- including Peja Stojakovic, assuming the Mavericks can work out travel arrangements for the recently retired gunslinger, owner Mark Cuban said Monday. The Mavericks will fly in the midseason acquisition who played a key role in the title run for the ring ceremony on Jan. 25 against Minnesota at American Airlines Center. J.J. Barea, now with the Timberwolves, will be on hand as a visitor. Stojakovic, who has retired but still probably could help a number of teams if he so desired this season, will be flown in from New Orleans, where his family lives. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban, Peja Stojakovic 

Brian Cardinal: PEJAAAAAA, was critical to our Championship run!!!! Thanks for a fantastic ride this past season... The NBA will miss you my friend! Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic, Brian Cardinal 

Marc Stein: Just going up on our site: Peja Stojakovic tells ESPN that he's retiring on a championship high at age 34. Link on way momentarily Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic 

Stojakovic told ESPN.com on Monday that the physical toll caused by a string of back and neck troubles, at age 34, convinced the three-time All-Star that "it's time" to step away from the game despite interest from a handful of contenders in signing the sharpshooter away from the Mavericks. "When you start competing against your body more than you're preparing for the actual game," Stojakovic said, "it's a wakeup call." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic 

Peja Stojakovic is considering a proposal from PAOK to help them advance to the group stage of the Euroleague during the lockout period. Sport.gr

Peja Stojakovic, Lockout, Greece, PAOK 

The arrival of Fernandez will create options for the Mavericks at the swing positions and most likely will have an impact on the free agency of Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson and Peja Stojakovic. All three spend at least part of their time on the court playing the same position as Fernandez, whom Nelson said has the “potential” to be a starter. “We’re hoping to get the same cast back, because the chemistry was so unique,” Nelson said. “You don’t ‘break up’ championship teams. That’s not something you do if you want to have a crack at it again, and we do. Hopefully, knock on wood, things will work out.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Trade, Rudy Fernandez, Peja Stojakovic, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson 

Also, Peja Stojakovic and Brian Cardinal also said they intend to be playing in the NBA somewhere next season. Both are free agents and have ruled out retirement as an option. Both said they would like to be back in Dallas. Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Peja Stojakovic, Brian Cardinal 

Peja Stojakovic, who’s been accused in these very playoffs of being softer than a down comforter, bristles at the perception. “When you come over here, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, it’s there,” the Mavericks’ veteran guard said. “We always make fun of each other. We say, ‘Oh, another European, another soft player.’ ” Washington Post

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Peja Stojakovic 

Indications from sources are the Mavericks want to at least bring back Chandler, Barea and injured forward Caron Butler. Brian Cardinal and Peja Stojakovic are the other two free agents. The Mavs currently aren't in position to lock up any of the free agents. The threat of a lockout and the new collective bargaining agreement will certainly change the financial parameters of future contract negotiations. Much has to be sorted out before next season's roster is constructed. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, Brian Cardinal, Jose Juan Barea 

“Being part of this run is something special,’’ said Stojakovic, who played four seasons with the Hornets. “Having injury after injury, you don’t always have the same strength to work and get back. But patience is the key word. I’m happy everything worked out.’’ New Orleans Times-Picayune

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Peja Stojakovic 

During the national anthem before the start of Game 1, Peja Stojakovic shot a glance to his old Sacramento teammate Mike Bibby, standing across the way. “We looked at each other, kind of laughing,” said Stojakovic, who played with Bibby from 2001 to 2006. “It’s weird how life can make things. I never thought I would be on a team this year that was fighting for a championship. And probably, he never thought that, too.” Palm Beach Post

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Peja Stojakovic, Mike Bibby 

Pretty deeply rooted, even on the left coast. Leaving Cleveland was sad for Cavs fans, but sorry, folks, completely understandable. The organization had years to build a dynasty around the game's best player. That's on them. But then there was LeBron's ESPN debacle, the party before there was any reason to party, the bump-and-grind with classy Erik Spoelstra, and you can see where this is going. "Ah, I just hope I get a ring before Peja does," Bibby said Saturday when asked about all the drama, evading the issues and punctuating his remarks with his throaty, one -syllable laugh. "I just want to win. When I saw him awhile ago and asked him, 'So, how many teams have you played for since the Kings?' I made fun of him. I told him I had him beat because this is only my third team. He laughed. We talked a bit, caught up on stuff." Sacramento Bee

Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, Peja Stojakovic, Mike Bibby 

Brendan Haywood laughed off a question about Peja Stojakovic defending Kevin Durant after the Mavs’ Game 3 win. “Oh, man, I’m not even touching that one again,” Haywood said. “Peja is my guy. I love Peja to death, but we probably want to have D-Steve [DeShawn Stevenson] or Shawn Marion on [Durant].” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brendan Haywood, Peja Stojakovic 

Coach Rick Carlisle declined to comment directly about big man Brendan Haywood’s pointed criticism of the Mavs’ perimeter D – and particularly Peja Stojakovic’s work – in the first two games of the series. “I just don’t think that would be wise,” Carlisle said, noting that he had not heard the quotes or seen Haywood’s body language while delivering them. Carlisle also declined to discuss whether it’s accurate to pinpoint perimeter defense as one the Mavs’ biggest problems against the Thunder, who have lit it up for an average of 109 points against a team that didn’t give up triple digits in the first two rounds of the playoffs. “Instead of getting into a [expletive] throw about whose fault it is,” Carlisle said, “what we’re going to do is circle the wagons and find a way to be better.” ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Brendan Haywood, Peja Stojakovic, Rick Carlisle 

The Mavericks sweeping the Lakers in four games in this Western Conference semifinal series was especially satisfying for two players. Peja Stojakovic, while playing for the Sacramento Kings, was knocked out of the playoffs for three consecutive seasons by the Lakers, who would go on to win the title in those years. The Kings lost to the Lakers in five games in the first round in the 1999-00 season and were swept in four games in the conference semifinals the following season. In 2001-02, the Kings lost in seven games to the Lakers in the conference finals. "It's nine years ago," Stojakovic. "We had our chance. It was very emotional for us over there, but it's been so many years we all have to move on with our lives and our careers. I'm a different player and that was years ago. I'm on a different team." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Peja Stojakovic 

But neither Terry nor Nowitzki might have had their heroic chances without Peja Stojakovic, who had three fourth-quarter 3-pointers and drilled 11 of the Mavericks’ first 20 points in the period to keep them within range. Through it all, they played tough defense. “The key to the game, aside from Dirk being the guy who facilitated everything on offense, was that Peja did a great job on Lamar Odom the last six or seven minutes,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “As great as Kobe Bryant is, and he is unguardable, Odom is right there with him as one of the most difficult matchups in all of basketball. We needed Peja’s shooting out there, but the job he did defensively was equally important.” Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Peja Stojakovic, Rick Carlisle 

Stojakovic is shooting just 41.7 percent overall, but 41.9 percent from 3-point range (13-of-31), which accounts for 64.6 percent of his shot attempts. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said Stojakovic's presence on the floor -- he ranks fourth on the NBA's all-time 3-point list -- changes the appoach of defenses. "He's like Reggie Miller and Dirk [Nowitzki]," Carlisle said. "He's got to be guarded everywhere he is on the floor; otherwise he's going to be a threat to score." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Peja Stojakovic