Whoops Heres the link http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/articles/20000514/236369.html Its a good story about Webber. This may make him look elsewhere in 2001. That year Hakeem retires and we will have lots of money to spend and I think with our core we have now and the draft. If we get Webber we will hava an MVP type player that took the Sacremento Scrubs to the playoffs, we will be contendors... ------------------
Yes, yes, yes. People thought I was looney a few weeks ago saying Webber is the biggest viable free agent acquisition in the near future. We just have to get the 8th spot next year bumping the Kings out of the playoffs entirely, and they will implode into pieces(they have a ton of FA in 2001 too). Maybe we can pick up the big piece. ------------------
I like Webber's skills, but he's only played in 74% of the games since he's been in the league, has trouble off the floor, and will be entering in his 9th season during 2001-2002. I've watch the "aging veterans" of the Rockets too long to want to see any more. That's just my personal opinion. However, for me, it would depend on the players on the roster at the time, and what other free agents were available. Right now, I'm leaning more towards "no thanks". ------------------
I think Webber could be our missing link after 2001. If we don't get our low post player in this years draft (which is unlikely unless we can get in the top 3 or 4) then we should be able to add a SF in the draft. Next year will not be a championship year (unless we do make some dramatic changes which also doesn't seem likely). Understanding next year will also be a learning expereince for Stevie & Mobley & KT & our new SF then I think the tables are set for the next year to make a run at a veteran post player who could step into a young team and hopefully be our missing link to a title. I like Webber's game and he could become that missing link, assuming at some point that either Cato matures or we can acquire a legitimate post player. ------------------
I've been suggesting this for awhile. The one caveat is: the Dream windfall is not enough. We have to make further trades that cut down salary to free up enough cap room. The easiest and most painless way to cut down team salary is to Eat the $4.4 Exception. Do not use it! While I used to advocate eating the exception without a second thought, in order to improve our FA bidding room for 2001, I no longer believe the Rockets should or will eat the exception. Unfortunately, the $4.4m added salary caused by using the exception will likely take us outta the running for straight open market bidding for Webber. While that doesn't mean we couldn't get him other ways (sign-n-trade), the easiest way to get him is to be able to promise him the maximum on the open market, which will be over $11m for him by them...probably more like $12.75m with CBA increases due to kick in that year. You have to give up something to land a big fish. The Dream windfall is not enough by itself.
Webber is awesome. He is THE reason the Kings made it to the playoffs last 2 years. If there is any way to get Webber w/o giving up too much, then I say go for it. ------------------ Cato is 7 feet tall.
Tb-Cain, what problems does Webber have off the court? From what I know, he is one of the most popular players not only for the fans but also for the media. And he will be 29 in 2002 and that's really not old IMHO. If there occurs a possibility to get C-Web, pull the trigger! ------------------
Without digging up facts about each incident, the last I remember was with mar1juana at an airport shortly after signing up to do an ad campaign for a shoe company which, I believe, dropped him. My concern really isn't for his behavior, because he's been fairly solid recently, but his age. By the time the Rockets could acquire him, it would be his 9th season, and he hasn't been the picture of health since he's been in the league. I'm tired of aging veterans who sit more than play and are past their prime. Webber is at the peak of his ability now, but in 2 years? Do we win the championship his first year with the team? Probably not, so he's another year older. What kind of contract will he want? Long-term and lots of money. I'm anti-long-term-contracts-for-players-entering-their-9th-season-and-only-play-74%-of-the-time-due-to-injury-suspension-or-otherwise. Maybe you've guessed, but the final years of Drexler/Barkley/Olajuwan have jaded me a bit, and I don't think it's fair for the young guys to pin their future on players who may not be able to produce as advertised. ------------------
I have to agree with Tb-Cain. Webber is going to have a lot of miles on him by that time (he will have played 8 seasons, although he only played 15 games one year). Not to mention he commands the ball a ton, which doesn't really compliment our guard-oriented team that much. I'd probably rather have a Brian Grant-type of player, that specializes in defense and rebounding, but can definitely score when needed. ------------------ "We're sitting there, shooting alcohol into our veins... We could just drink it!" -Tommy Lee
I can understand some reasons for choosing other studs over Webber, but some of reasons being given are weak: Webber IS a better defender and rebounder than Grant (that's why he is such a stud), Webber is EXTREMELY versatile, BEST dribbling PF in the league Webber WILL adjust to Francis for the sake of winning, he has the versatility, Webber is ONLY a young 27 years old I didn't know he was such as outstanding dribbler. Webber is better than both Duncan and Garnett....IMO. and I personally believe only Garnett has the raw skills to someday match Webber.
I agree with HeyPartner and Sir Scarvajal on this one. Let's set the record straight about Webber's past problems with injury and off the court problems. He did have major injuries early in his career, but he has been relatively healthy the past 4 seasons. Also, the off the court problems occurred in Washington when he was playing with Juwan Howard. He has been clear of that in Sacramento. I dont think he is better than Duncan or Garnett, but he is a legit superstar PF. The question to ask though is what do the Rockets do if they get the PF they want in this draft (Swift, Martin, etc.) Do they play Webber at center if they get one of them? Also on the age issue. Webber is nothing like the past the prime players like Pippen, Barkley etc. The Rockets could get Webber in the heart of his prime where he is at his absolute best. Usually, a player's best seasons are between the ages 28-32. That timetable can be extended or shortened in some cases but that's pretty much the norm. Thus, I would have no problem giving Webber a long term deal for the max, I personally think he will be effective till he is in his mid 30s. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Webber is not a young 27, he's a very old 27. He's played 7 seasons. Shandon Anderson will be a young 27 later this year, he's played only 4 seasons. Same with Cuttino Mobley. Karl Malone is superhuman. The odds of Chris Webber's game dropping off as little as Malone's when he hits his mid-30s are slim to none. There's simply nobody to compare Malone to in that respect. The guy has only missed a handful (literally) of games in about 16 years, while Webber's already missed 25% of his games, as someone pointed out. He just doesn't have the body that will hold up over a long period like Malone does (nobody else does either). Michael Jordan was similar in that way, but even he had 2 years to rest his body from the rigorous NBA schedule, allowing him to come back fresher, IMO. My guess is Webber will start to see a serious decline in his early 30s. Saying he's better than Duncan is just hyping him up a ridiculous amount. Come on! Go back and watch the Spurs in the playoffs in Duncan's first 2 years before making silly statements like that! 1st-team all-Defense the past two years, where was Webber on that list? Webber can't take over a game on both ends, and not consistently on the offensive end. Out. ------------------ "We're sitting there, shooting alcohol into our veins... We could just drink it!" -Tommy Lee
While it is possible Webber will wear his age as bad as Kemp, it is also possible he will wear it as well as Malone. The one thing I really like about him is he keeps on getting better, and seems to be very motivated to continue to do so and to try to get that elusive championship. Given he has the best court vision of the PFs, has by far the best handles of any PF, and most importantly now has a little jump shot and foul shot, my money says he is going to stay a top 4 power forward over the next 6 or 7 seasons. If he is individually just as effective next season as his last one, I wouldn't hesitate to give him the max in 2001 for 6 or 7 seasons (until 35 or 36). I would feel confident enough in Webber's unparalleled talent (OK maybe second to Duncan though IMO there are very close, I am considering Garnett a SF) and motivation. As for him demanding shots and the ball, I have never seen Webber turn down an opportunity to pass the ball to an open teammate, if any PF or C in the league would fit it with what we are trying to do it is Webber. ------------------
