I have to admit, i was not on the C-Webb bandwagon before the playoffs and i even posted a couple of topics saying that we didn't need him. But now I must confess, I made a mistake. If anything you guys need to stop bashing Webber and realize that the Lakers are playing the best basketball in the league. Webber was the only offense the Kings had even though his percentages says different. You guys act like Horace Grant is some pushover defensively. Yeah, he may be average offinsevely but defensively he held his own, (you didn't here much from Rasheed Wallace in that series either). That's why Shaq lobbied so hard for the Lakers to sign Grant last offseason, to deal with the power forwards of the west, "DEFENSIVELY". Through all of that, Webber still averaged 23 pts. and 12 rbs per game as the only inside presence for the "QUEENS". He was there only offense because everyone else folded under pressure when actually all of the pressure was on him for the last half of the season. Also, you have to look at the benefits of getting a Chris Webber brings us. The Rockets will be getting a great talent but most of all the Rockets will be getting EXPOSURE. You know David stern will have us on NBC a lot this year just because of Webber, Francis, and Mobley. This will put Francis and Mobley in national spotlights and help the get more All-Star recognition. The city of Houston will get even more attention due to the fact that everyone (media) will want to see if C-Webb made the right decision and to watch his every move (past history). It will also be great for Texas, to have all three teams in the playoffs in one conference. So I have to admit that my decisions earlier were a bit pre-mature and I didn't look at the big picture because C-Webb did have alot of pressure on him from the entire city of Sacramento and the league. ------------------
For the record, I do want C-Webb, and I agree that the Lakers deserve more credit, but I don't think the national exposure argument is very persuasive. Why? Because we've been through this: Scottie Quitten. No, they're not the same (at least I hope not), but his traipsing through hasn't helped us a bit in terms of exposure. ROY Stevie Francis hasn't gained us significant national air time. We will get more recognition, hopefully, when we field a team that is a legitimate championship contender. When we reach that point, I'm sure we'll have the charismatic players (like Stevie) to draw the media. But considering how terrible the Scottie experiment went, I don't think national exposure is a good case for getting Webber. But I'll take 20/10 and a free trip to the semi-finals. Hopefully, we'd go farther than that. ------------------
vs. Blazers...Blazers discredit, not directly Lakers credit. vs. Kings...Kings discredit, not directly Lakers credit. i think the Lakers are a lucky team, though not convincingly championship material until proven so against the Spurs, which are w/o Derek Anderson. they were improving play but even less so true contenders until running into 2 teams w/ some underachievers and building some momentum. ------------------ purvis was never short.
Webber is a good player. Vescey's comments are nothing but sour grapes. This is the same guy who was ridding Webbers jock strap all along. Secretly hoping to get webber. Webber was in a situation where only he could create in Sacramento. Stojakovic is a set shooter. The turkey guys looked good but he got into the game too late. Williams is not the second coming of the "pistol". Divac being an all star goes to show how pathetic centers other than Shaq, Mutombo, Duncan(forward, but still a center), Robinson, "Mourning" are!! Webber bashing is just sick. Can't a guy choose where he wants to be. If he's willing to take the consequences of making a little bit less money what is the problem? Let the guy make his own choices. ------------------
