Washed up yet still serviceable, at 34-years-old Chris Webber is still out there on the free agent market. My question is where does everybody think he'll sign?
I think Morey might've made a pitch. And then Webber's agent promptly laughs in Morey's face for offering just the LLE, before hanging up the phone.
I want rebounding so I am not big on Webber. But yes he fits the Rockets. Webber has the softest hands in the league, knows how to run an Adelman offense from the HP, can keep the defense honest with his jumper, and will make his teammates better when on the floor. If Webber were to become a Rocket I could see him leading the team in APG. But with Yao in the post I prefer a more agile, defensive oriented 4.
I've always wondered why the Webber-to-Rockets train hasn't been discussed more considering our relative weakness at PF and his history with RA. That and he's obviously only going to sign with a contender. Ignoring that fact that we have like 20 players under contract I suppose i'm mildly interested. On paper our best options at PF are two rookies and an unskilled 6'6" garbageman so the idea of adding a skilled, crafty and serviceable big that used to be one of the best players in the league probably couldn't hurt you. My biggest concern with that idea is adding him might give us too many ego's since he is notoriously high maintenance.
I assume Webber isn't contemplating the LLE. Our MLE was used to sign Scola and Francis. Would we have preferred Webber to one or both of those? Scola is definitely a higher priority because he'll be servicable for years, whereas Webber is a 1 or 2 year rental. I think Francis is more valuable as well. Also, Webber's potential role as a high post man, hitting cutters and threatening the jumper is filled well by Yao. He has a nice jumper for a big man and good passing instincts. Given the choice of Webber or Yao with the ball in the high post, I'm going with Yao. Webber might even perform that function better, but Yao is the better player. So, I don't see a compelling reason to pursue Webber even if I wouldn't have been too surprised if we did. In any case, we're out of the running now since we've already spent our money.
They generally still are. He can still pass and run the offense, especially one he's so familiar with. He also still has a jumpshot. He just can't play defense, rebounds like Juwan Howard, and would probably lose to Yao in a track meet. He can't play PF ever again, he's just too slow now. But as a backup center, I sure wouldn't mind him if we can't get Deke back in the fold. He'd be a great change of pace since he can truly operate out of the high post and you can run the offense through him. He still has an ok low post game too with a good hook shot so he can play down there too. For the LLE or min (since we're in tax land now), I wouldn't mind. He's still a serviceable backup.
Webber had some of his best seasons under Adelman. I figured we waited on signing Hayes to see if we had a shot at Webber. But it's hard to imagine him accepting the LLE, though. Which is why Detroit and Dallas appear to to be the top suitors.
FA priorities are as follows: 1. money 2. large role (for more money on next contract) 3. winning webber is a different case considering all the money he has made and the fact that he only has one year left in his career. it's all about winning. for cwebb, its about winning with a chance to really contribute. where can he go that will give him the largest role and best chance to win? chicago, dallas, detroit. the bulls are probably not interested. the pistons window has closed. backing up dirk for 8mpg may be his only option. maybe that's why its taking him so long to deside? if you are a HOF player...is a ring worth it if you were a mere rotation player at the time? he should just retire.
LOL. I was thinking about Webber today. If he wants to make an impact I really think he has a lot to offer to the Spurs. Oberto and Elson aren't that good. Parker doesn't pass the damn ball. Webber at the 5 alongside Duncan would be an upgrade and add a dimension to the Spurs offense.
