Would you trade three first-rounders for Webber next year?

Corey Benjamin · 07-12-2000, 11:35 AM

Golden State gave up three first rounders only to get Webber from Orlando,just like Washington gave up his three first rounders to get him from Golden State.
If you was Rockets' General manager would you do the same next year?

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Supermac34 · 07-12-2000, 12:02 PM

yes

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Htownhero · 07-12-2000, 12:23 PM

In a heartbeat! Put a low post presence on this team and I think we become one of the most feared teams in the league. Also imagine CWebb and Cato roaming the defensive paint together....scary!

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Tb-Cain · 07-12-2000, 12:41 PM

Isn't he a free agent next year? We don't need to give up any picks for a FA. If the question then is do we sign him for the max next year, then no. I wouldn't do that. We're free from Barkley, Clyde, Pippen and almost Dream. Why hook up long term with another aging veteran? He might be at the top of his game now, but I'm TIRED of watching star players' skill erode in a Rockets uni.

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Rocketman95 · 07-12-2000, 12:54 PM

Tb-Cain, have you been hanging around with Sam Mack lately?

Webber will be 28 this time next year. If we signed him for 6 years, he'll only be 34 when the contract is over.

The guy is in his prime. If we have a chance to sign him to the max, and we don't, we're retarded.

This is nothing close to Drexler, Barkley, or Pippen.

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Nomar · 07-12-2000, 12:54 PM

Webber is not an aging veteran. He is just now reaching the peak of his game. He would fit right in with the young team the rockets have right now.

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Nomar · 07-12-2000, 12:57 PM

Oh my bad, looks like you beat me to it Rocket Man. And about your comment, the draft did nothing to convince me that the rockets front office isnt retarded.

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JuanValdez · 07-13-2000, 01:18 AM

If McGrady is worth the max then Webber definitely is.

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Tb-Cain · 07-13-2000, 01:20 AM

So we would have him during years 9-14 of his career. He missed 8 games last year, 8 the year before (of 50), 11 the year before, 10 the year before, 67 the year before, 28 the year before, and 6 his rookie year.

But I'm sure he'll get more durable with age, right? He's played 405 out of 542 games (.747).

I've got an idea, let's go after Jayson Williams. He's in the prime of his career.

Don't get tied down to another veteran who spends a chunk of the time watching on the sidelines. I don't see Webber has another Olajuwan, who had his best years from 9-12.

If we sign Webber, though, I'll be praying for the best years of his life, but I'd prefer a 1st time free agent star to an eight-year veteran.

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Tb-Cain · 07-13-2000, 01:21 AM

McGrady isn't.

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Francis3 · 07-13-2000, 01:25 AM

Webber is one of the top 5 players in the nba right now. He is the best passing power forward and has the best ball handling skills for a power forward. Webber and Francis on the same team is scary.

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sir scarvajal · 07-13-2000, 01:40 AM

Webber was the somewhere between the 2nd and 4th best player in the league last year. He is tall, strong, and has unparalled passing and ball handling skills for a guys his size. He also is always looking for a open man, what player who wants to win doesn't like to play with someone like that. He may not duplicate the performance of last year, but he will be a very, very good player until at least 35 I would think. Personally, I would rather have Webber via free agency than get Duncan (who may have a worse injury problem) at the cost of say Cato + Francis OR Cato + Mobley or Shandon + couple of #1s--which is what I think it would have taken to get TD.

So of course we should try to sign Webber and by all means do not offend him by offering anything less than the max and a free life pass to the Men's Club.

That said, and while I truelly believe him landing here is probably the 3rd most likely option to happen (stay with Sac 1, going to Det 2)-thus realistic enough for debate, we don't want to make team decisions yet because we might possibly be able to land Webber. Though I still like the idea of clearing out Walt to further create cap space with the #1 option being signing Webber in 01. Because even if that doesn't work we would be a good position down the line for other good FAs.

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R0ckets03 · 07-12-2000, 03:07 PM

I'm so glad TB-Cain aint the Rockets GM. If Webber is an aging veteran than so is Shaq. They are both close to 28. If he wanted to come here and we didnt give him the max, we'd be the laughing stock of the entire sports industry.

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Tb-Cain · 07-12-2000, 03:37 PM

Rocketman95,

Speaking of Sam Mack, I wonder if he was on his way to, or leaving from C-Web? Or does C-Web only traffic drugs through airports?

Francis3,

C-Web is one of the top 5 players right now. Exactly my point: right now. By the time Francis, Mobley, Anderson, etc. are experienced enough to take it to the next level, where will C-Web be then? I want someone who can grow with the team.

ROckets03,

Laugh all you want, but after this season is over, Shaq will be in his 10th year. 315+ lb men don't age well. Ask Sabonis. Not interested.

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sir scarvajal · 07-12-2000, 04:16 PM

Sorry T-Cab, just don't buy your logic. Otis Thorpe and Kevin Willis are both turning 38 in a month or so, and still are reasonably effective. And those guys NEVER were in the same league Chris Webber is now. Webber will be great at least 5 more years, merely "very good" thereafter. That should work just find with Francis's, Mobley's (hopefully if we keep him), Shandon's, Collier's, Langhi's and Cato's (if we keep him) peaking.

Also, Karl Malone turns 37 in a few weeks, and he is pretty good power forward now too, even if we don't like to admit it. I like you comparison with Shaq, though for a different reason. Webber may not last quite as long as Shaq, but 6' 10" 250 guys who can handle and pass like a guard, while shooting and defending very good for their position, tend to last almost as long as 7 1' 330 pounders who have athleticism.

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NIKEstrad · 07-12-2000, 04:26 PM

Among those first rounders were Penny Hardaway, who was the #3 pick of that year, and it also cost them #5 this year, Mike Miller.

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4chuckie · 07-12-2000, 04:30 PM

I would not give up 3 picks for Cwebb unless he agreed in advance for an extension.
Cwebb is definetely one of the top 5 players in the game, but he is nearing the point in his career that he may begin looking for the best team to get a ring with. That probably isn't with the Rockets until maybe 2003 (especially if we have to give up 3 1st round picks). What I mean is a nucleus of Webber-Francis-Anderson-Mobley is fine but Stevie & Mobley still need to mature and learn how to play in the plaoffs (look how long it took Joprdan to get to a champion level & how many series the talented Lakers were swept).
I think after next year C-webb either stays in Sac. if they make an effort to improve or will go to a championship caliber team needing a PF (Miami, Lakers, Orlando if they can sign some FA & their nine 1st round draft picks over the next 4 years).
Just my thoughts but I don't think Webber comes here unless we make gigantic strides next year and becomes a very good team w/out Webber.

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SlamN · 07-12-2000, 04:42 PM

What are you smoking? Webber is one of the top PFs in the league. PFs with size and range tend to last a while in the NBA. Look at Charles and Malone. A 4-5 year contract would be ideal, but his agent will probably shoot for a longer one to lock in in till retirement.

His injury his 2nd and 3rd year was largely due to a dislocated/separated shoudler. He opted not to get surgery the first time and reinjured the same shoulder so he missed the rest of the season. He did eventually get surgery on the shoulder and since then he has had minor injuries. The injury has not slowed him down in any way, unlike those of Jayson Williams.

Comparing Shaq to Sabonis is crazy. Shaq is a freak of nature. He has size, power, agility, and speed. He will continue to dominate.

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alaskansnowman · 07-12-2000, 04:46 PM

good points 4chuckie.

Tb-cain also makes some good points and I have to sorta agree with him.

By the time that we're truly ready to win the championship, Webber will be around 31 or 32. He will STILL be a very good player but he will be on the downfall of his career. And if we dont win the championship, then Webber will only age more and by the time he's 34 or 35, he won't be a great player, just a good one. He wont be all that good either becuz he wont be able to run the floor as well and play as good defense.

I really like Webber now, and I think we'd be a very good team if we signed him, but we cant just rely on Webber to lead us to a championship. Francis, Mobley, Cato, etc. have to all mature and reach the playoff level. LOOk at Vince Carter- he didnt have a very good playoff run against NY. And in the regular season he absoultely torched NY every game that he played against them.

We'll only win the championship with everybody contributing on the PLAYOFF LEVEL, and by that time, Webber wont be the player that he is now.

We'd be better off saving all that cap space from Hakeem's retirement and signing someone like Lamar Odom when he's a free agent. Plus dont we have to re-sign Francis, Anderson, etc. Will we have to save cap space for them or not?

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Tb-Cain · 07-12-2000, 05:05 PM

shhhhh. Did you hear that? Listen. Yep, that's what I thought. A voice of reason. Thanks, snowman.

As for comparing Shaq to Sabonis, just wait. A few more years of running the court, going high for the rebounds, blocks and dunks is going to wear on the knees. He may be the man of steel, but I'm pretty sure his cartiledge is just cartiledge. Happy scoping.

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