Making a List by Ric Bucher Free-agent-to-be Chris Webber has yet to make his final list of prospective teams and check it twice, but he does have some preliminary opinions: Knicks: "It would be sweet to win a championship with Spree in a major market. Just because it didn't work out with friends before." Suns: "I know Jason Kidd is all business. I'd love to play with someone like that." Rockets: "They're my favorite backcourt to watch, and I know they want me there." Pistons: "I love Detroit, but one thing that hurts me is the way I was treated when things were going bad for me. They didn't want me, and I have a memory like an elephant." Magic: "I love Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady's games. A lot of things could happen with a sign-and-trade." Heat: "I'd have to back up everything I've been talking about. And to play next to Zo? Whoa. But I don't know that the coach is interested." Lakers: "I'd be content to average 15 and 8 playing with Shaq. But I think Phil Jackson is the kind of guy who thinks he can do it without me. And he has. I don't want to be anywhere I'm not wanted." Bucks: "I really couldn't see myself living in Milwaukee." Bulls, or any other lottery team: "I don't want to go somewhere to start all over and help a franchise. No way." This article appears in the February 19 issue of ESPN The Magazine. ------------------------------------- So in summary, Webber is seriously considering Houston. From the looks of it, only New York, Orlando and Phoenix are rivaling us, besides Sacramento. I frankly think our chances are better than Orlando, but I suspect taht New York and Phoenix can offer Sacramento a better sign-and-trade deal. We have landed big names in the past...Clyde, Barkley, Pippen, Shandon, Mo....I like our chances of getting Webber. ------------------
What can New York or Phoenix offer in a sign & trade? Houston is more than likely going to opt-out and Phoenix has Googs? Robinson? That won't get a retiring Dream... let alone Webber from SAC. I watched a Webber interview this past weekend, and it's pretty obvious that he's not staying in Sacramento. He doesn't like the small town atmosphere, period. I think he'll take Houston's cap space. ------------------
Your guys are beginning to make a beleiver out of me. Rocket River and that is a good thing ------------------
I still think he will probably just stay in Sacramento. I would love it if we could watch him in pj's, but I think he will decide that Sacramento is too good of a thing for him to give up. ------------------ http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/houstonrockets2000
I saw the dude on an interview on ESPN and it sounds to me like he HATES the city of Sacramento. He also said he didnt like the fact that he had to drive 1 and 1/2 hours to get some REAL "soul food", and wanted to live somewhere more "metropolitan". I think Houston would be able to accomodate him on both of those aspects. ------------------ "Chucky who?" Charles Barkley
Nice scoop tariq Here's the link, etc. to that story. <a href="http://www.clutchcity.net/news.cfm?NewsID=522">Webber: "I know they want me (in Houston)"</a> ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
Sherlock, are you smoking crack in that pipe of yours?! The Kings are NOT going to take a habitually injured player(Cato) and an aging streak shooter(Wiz) in exchange for perhaps the best athletic true power forward in the entire league. ------------------ "Clinton lied. A man might forget where he parks or where he lives, but he never forgets oral sex, no matter how bad it is." -- Barbara Bush
On Saturday's NBC special about the Kings, many billboards and such were shown around Sacramento, pictures of the Kings' owner smiling out at the world: "I'll mow your lawn for you, Chris, if you stay!" This all reminds me of Toronto's efforts to keep McGrady, having kids wear "Stay Tracy" t-shirts and other things. When I see Sacramento play, Webber doesn't look real thrilled. Maybe just me. I know he's serious on the court and all. I sure hope they go nowhere in the playoffs, no offense to Sacramento: they've put together a great team. Now it's time for us to bust it up. ------------------
I went and read the other associated articles, and he made a reference to not being ready to play in NY or LA until now. Those are music town where more stuff is "happening" than Houston. His reference to Jackson can do it without him, may not be a negative, but an appeal to be wooed. I would love him to be in Houston, and I know he has family, loves our backcourt, and Houston does have nightlife, compared to Sacramento, but it isn't on the level of NY or LA nightlife or music opportunities. The biggest advantage we actually have, beyond paying him the most, I believe, is the opportunity for him to go all the way with Houston, and be viewed as the greatest at his position when we do it. That seems to be his greatest objective. If we could keep Mo, he would have a great team around him to go all the way, and he could be our biggest star in our double PF frontcourt. Imagine: Mo/Collier/Diop Webber/Thomas/Rogers Anderson/Langhi/Morris Mobely/Anderson Francis/Norris Who could stop that team? ------------------ the more I know, the more I know I don't know... [This message has been edited by Sherlock (edited February 06, 2001).]
If Webber is being sincere about wanting to leave, I think we had better go after a sign and trade ASAP. I can't see the Kings taking a chance of him leaving for nothing via FA and there are too many teams that will take a look at a sign and trade before the end of the season. I guess from Sacramento's point of view it would be tough to break up the best team in the west so far, but as said at the game yesterday they are coming up on a tough 5 game stretch for Sacramento. If they falter here you may see the phones ringing for a sign and trade.
No way the Kings will entertain any thoughts on trading C-Webb even if they don't think they can resign him. They think they can win the championship this year. And if they loose CWebb after the season then that would by ok as long as they have the championship. IMO if CWebb and the Kings do win the championship then he will resign with the Kings. We better hope for an early exit from the play offs for the Kings so CWebb will think he has to go somewhere else for a championship. ------------------
Holy God, guys and gals, did ya'll read the article at nbatalk.com!?!?! Webber put his house up for sale and said he's outta there (I think they updated this today). He said he's as good as gone. God, please, don't let SAC trade him to NY or Orlando (i.e., the East) before we can get him. Sorry I couldn't post the link, this computer's not cooperating. But you know where to go: nbatalk.com/rumors ------------------
Next up, comments at the All Star Game here in Washington DC. ...Steve Francis can show him around town! Look for George Michael to get the interview. ------------------ humble, but hungry. [This message has been edited by PhiSlammaJamma (edited February 05, 2001).]
C-Webb Starts Packing WEBBER STARTS PACKING! First ESPN the Magazine started stirring the Kobe-Shaq feud, now they're taking a turn with Chris Webber. If he really does want to stay in Sacramento, he's got a lot of explaining to do. In the interview, Webber says he's ready to get out of Sacramento. 'Before, I wasn't ready to go to New York or L.A.,' he says. 'Now it's like I've paid my dues and had my quiet time. I've played with friends, and I know it hasn't worked out. That makes me more anxious to prove I can do it. At the same time, I can just hear people saying, 'Hey, you're not going to make the same mistake again, are you?' All I want is for all this to be worth something. Above all, I want to be with a group that I can help, and can help me win a championship. I just don't know how to go about finding that.' And if you think that's Sacramento, think again. Fact is, he already has told his real estate agent to spread the word that the house will be available this summer, ESPN the Magazine reported. The Maloofs have been over-the-top in trying to keep Webber, including putting up a big billboard begging CWebb to stay. He's not impressed. 'All that stuff makes me feel like they're not trying to keep me as much as cover their backs if I leave,' Webber says. 'They haven't talked to me once since the season started.' 'With all that's happened,' Joe Maloof says, biting his lip, 'I don't know how he couldn't stay here.' But Webber's a Detroit native who has played in the Bay Area and D.C. The taste for urban life is in his blood. 'I'm bored to death here every day,' he says. So where would he like to play? They asked him and it seems like the Knicks, Rockets and Magic seem to be in the lead. One team the magazine didn't mention is Dallas, where Mark Cuban expects to make a huge push for Webber this summer. As for the Pistons hopeful, Webber remembers when the team dissed him once before. 'I love Detroit, but one thing that hurts me is the way I was treated when things were going bad for me. They didn't want me, and I have a memory like an elephant.' ------------------
Did you hear that EVERYDAY the Kings players are trying to talk Webber into staying? And the crowd even sings songs before games trying to convince him stay? The Kings are contenders. They can get to the WCFs in my opinion with the depth that they have. And they would be smart to make a trade for a big man or two before the deadline. Dude sounds ready to burn the city to the ground to get out of there! The Rockets have a STRONG chance. I'm shocked! ------------------ Dream a deadly Dream. . .
Nice thread guys Sure it's great that Webber likes Houston, but for me if the Kings get to at least the Western Conference Finals, he will stay. ------------------ CUT Tino These Heaves are just getting Ridiculous!
Question: If Webber does decide on Houston and we want to do a sign and trade, can we sign and trade Mo Taylor to the Kings? Rephrased, can two players be signed and traded for each other? ------------------
Smeggy, You're right on! I doubt he'll move if they reach the WCF. The Kings can only improve from there and since the new owners have taken over, that team has only improved. I see them dumping Jason Williams getting a better PG. ------------------
Tariq, Yes two free agents can be involved in the same sign and trade. I was originally under the impression that it could not be allowed but found out this summer that it can. The Grant Hill deal this summer involved that type of transaction. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
SmeggySmeg, I know you read the article. But actually READ it, please. Seems like he can't stand being in Sacramento. Bored out of his mind, he's had his day in cow town. I'm in Iowa right now because I have to be. It's best for me now. After this summer, I won't be here. Glen Rice on the Lakers might have edged that team closer to the top in the West than it stands now; but if you're not happy, and if you can leave, then you leave. Maybe Webber'll leave with a ring, maybe not. But a championship is no guarantee someone'll stay. "But the Lakers wanted to get rid of Rice. THEY moved HIM," someone might say. Did they? Both sides got what they wanted and went their separate ways. Did anyone see the lackluster effort Webber gave on national TV in Los Angeles yesterday? He's outta there, later or sooner (flip-flopped these because I don't know if the team would go so far as to trade Webber now, and I hope not to New York so that we can't land him). ------------------
