Stojakovic could be in for a rude reception tonight in his return to Indiana

Peja Stojakovic could get a rude reception tonight when he returns to Conseco Fieldhouse as a member of the New Orleans Hornets.

Stojakovic joined the Indiana Pacers halfway through last season in a trade that sent Ron Artest to the Sacramento Kings. He averaged 19.5 points in 40 games before missing four of Indiana's six playoff games against the New Jersey Nets with a knee injury.

Stojakovic opted out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers to become a free agent, then signed a five-year, $64 million deal with the Hornets in July after his agent said the forward wanted to finish his career in Indiana.

Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who is used to hostile crowds home and away, said he's not sure what Stojakovic should expect from the fans.

"He definitely has my respect," Jackson said. "It's just going to be good to compete against him and see how the crowd reacts when he comes back."

Stojakovic said he enjoyed his time in Indiana but he's looking to the future.

"I had a good four months here and I met great people here in this organization and I'm moving forward," he said. "It worked out well for all of us. I'm happy, I'm in a good situation. They have a pretty good team, too, and I wish them well."

WALLACE PRACTICES: Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace went through a full practice Thursday, a day after he was injured in the Bobcats' season-opening loss to Indiana. Wallace, who worked with the first unit, did not have a concussion and is expected to play today at Memphis.

"I think their main focus was how my head was feeling," Wallace said. "They just wanted to make sure I didn't have a concussion or brain damage or anything. They said as long as that was fine, I was good to go."

DWI GUILTY PLEA: Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach John-Blair Bickerstaff pleaded guilty to driving while impaired. Bickerstaff, the son of Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff, was given a suspended sentence Wednesday in Mecklenburg District Court and ordered to complete 24 hours of community service for his July 19 arrest. He lost his driver's license for a year but was given a restricted license for driving to work.

Bickerstaff's attorney George Laughrun said Thursday a charge of failing to stop for a police blue light and siren was dismissed.

"John-Blair Bickerstaff is a fine young man who made a serious lapse in judgment," Bobcats owner Bob Johnson said in a statement. "We will support him and work with him to ensure this isolated incident does not recur."

The 27-year-old Bickerstaff is the youngest assistant coach in the NBA. He was on the bench for Charlotte's season-opener Wednesday night, the day of his court hearing.