Peja Stojakovic admits he still has nightmares about crucial airball in Game 7 of the 2002 WCF: "Sometimes I do blame myself"

In 2002, the Sacramento Kings had the opportunity to oust the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers , and advance to the NBA Finals. However, after 'controversially' losing Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, the Kings choked at home in Game 7 and missed an opportunity to play in the NBA Finals.

Looking back, Kings sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic has terrible memories of that game. With 13 seconds left in the game and the Lakers up 99-98, Hedo Turkoglu found Peja wide open for a corner three. But Stojakovic shot an airball. The game went to OT, and the Lakers pulled off a gritty Game 7 win.

"Sometimes I do blame myself," said Peja. "I think a lot of guys think about that series and what each of us could have done better. Me personally, I still think about that missed shot. Maybe that could have made a difference. It's still in my head."

Peja played hurt

Stojakovic had a breakthrough 2001-02 season where he was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. He averaged 21.2 PPG and shot a career-high 41.6% from three-point distance during the regular season.

But in the playoffs, Stojakovic sprained his ankle during the Kings' second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. The injury caused him to miss the final three games against Dallas and the first four against the Lakers.

Serbian played limited minutes in Games 5 and Game 6, but it was obvious that he was still not 100%. He went 0-3 with only 2 points in Game 5 and was 4-8 with 10 points in Game 6. But with their season on the line, head coach Rick Adelman gave his All-Star and best shooter the chance to win the game for the Kings.

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He was the best option

But Stojakovic struggled in Game 7, just as the other Kings did. Adelman sat him for almost the entire fourth quarter. But with the game close, he put Peja in the game for Vlade with 46 seconds left. 30 seconds later, he airballed what could have been the series-winner for the Kings.

"He was the best option then, and he is now. I've been around some great shooters, but none better than him. If you want to blame somebody, blame me. I'm the one who played him when he was hurt," said Adelman.

In 25 minutes of action, Stojakovic shot 3-12 from the floor, including 0-6 from deep - none worse than that infamous corner three airball. H,owever that play wasn't why the Kings lost. C-Webb shot 9-21, Mike Bibby 11-25, and Doug Christie 2-11. As Scot Pollard said, the Kings crapped the bed in Game 7. The Lakers made all of their free throws in OT, including Shaq, who made two to give the Lakers the lead for good at 108-106.

Related: Doug Christie on playing with Jason Williams: "Jason is Houdini with the ball, and that rubs off on everybody else in the locker room"