12/22/24
March 31, 2004
Cry: Babies All. What is happening here? You have two guys basically calling it a season because their teams suck, and another guy who is so soft that he may leave town because the homers are now booing him?
there's no crying in basketball...
posted by lilnemo to basketball at 09:43 PM - 9 comments
I agree with you for the most part - but the connection between great athletes and ego-centric assholes seems pretty strong. Iverson hasn't changed a lick in all his years and he's still leaving it all on the floor when he plays. McGrady is still awfully young to really get on him for this year (which has been astonishingly bad in spite of his best efforts). But Webber is another story. This guy has never shown the heart that the other two can boast about.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:12 PM on March 31, 2004
I have some sympathy for Iverson. You can tell he's trying to be a grownup about being in a work situation he doesn't like, trying to do the right thing, and it doesn't sound like he's getting much support or good advice. But McGrady isn't a kid anymore. He's been in the pros long enough to know that the one inexcusable sin is to be a quitter, and yet here he is, throwing in the towel, basically because his team sucks. Can the season ticket holders get money back for the reaining games on the schedule? Because if any team was a one-man operation, it's the Magic. Webber baffles me. He's way too good to pull a Tim Couch like this.
posted by chicobangs at 09:39 AM on April 01, 2004
Can the season ticket holders get money back for the reaining games on the schedule? Because if any team was a one-man operation, it's the Magic. There's been a lot of grumbling from Texas Rangers fans who purchased season ticket plans before the A-Rod trade. I'd sympathize, but these are people who bought tickets for multiple baseball games, so I think the lack of common ground may get in the way. Webber baffles me. He's way too good to pull a Tim Couch like this. Webber is a very good player, but the simple truth, at least as it stands right now, is that the Kings are better without him. I'd been talking about that for a long time this year with coworkers. I figured that since he missed his proposed comeback date (sometime in December, IIRC) by a couple of months they were just ensuring that he wouldn't interrupt the funk of the flow. Doesn't appear that that happened.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:15 AM on April 01, 2004
It's just frustrating that the Kings are the team with the best chance to stop the Lakers (no bias here, eh?), and for them to not have all their tools kinda sucks. But that said, Webber would probably be served well with a change of scenery. And possibly a heart transplant.
posted by chicobangs at 12:04 PM on April 01, 2004
I'm just glad that Sacramento fans won't be fawned over as the "best in the league" anymore. Wave your cowbells at the camera - you've been exposed!
posted by dusted at 12:51 PM on April 01, 2004
Interesting piece by Mark Kreidler of the Sacramento Bee. From the article: ...He's going to have to persuade Webber that going to the low blocks, thus allowing Brad Miller to distribute from the high post with his deft passing touch, is the finest use of the available talent. Adelman, that is, has to integrate Miller and Webber now. That means less court time for Vlade Divac, which, knowing Divac, will never come close to being an issue. It means, with the offense going through Miller up high, perhaps a less obvious role for Webber, which sounds like a more difficult sell. But Adelman has to sell that. He has to bank on his team's fabled chemistry factor to make that work. He may have to convince an erstwhile mega-star such as Webber that his immediate contribution to the team lies in the dirty work of defensive rebounds and a wide body in the lane. He may have to break down and throw some zone defenses out there in games in which the Kings just don't match up athletically... Good luck with that. Kreidler concedes that implementing such a change, for a coach, is akin to a trapeze act with no net. Kreidler's points are sound. For the Kings to win consistently, Miller must be the High in the high-low. Unfortunately, throughout his career, Webber has always drifted out to the high-post ( do we blame Don Nelson for this?). Trouble is, his mid-range jumper and high post passing have been less than desirable. Whether this condition continues remains to be seen. In any case, Webber in the low post is better than 85% of the leagues PF or C. In the playoffs, however, this advantage is null and void in the WC. I don't see Webber making this adjustment, and even if Adelman attempts to implement it, I don't see it working out. I get the feeling Chris may be gone within the next 2 seasons.
posted by lilnemo at 07:03 PM on April 02, 2004
I thought Kenny Smith's comments during halftime of the Dallas game were spot on: Webber is injured. He looks like he's walking on eggshells, and he can barely run, let alone jump. I'm a Lakers fan and I take great pleasure in any misfortune that befalls the Kings, but even I think it's a little early to bag on Chris this much.
posted by dusted at 07:40 PM on April 02, 2004
and he can barely run, let alone jump. if that's true, then why doesn't he sit until he's in game shape? its certainly not because he has any heart. :) in either case, hes still hurting his team. even I think it's a little early to bag on Chris this much. I don't. MwAHAhaHAhaHA! How you like them apples CWebb?! Huh? Huh?
posted by lilnemo at 12:29 AM on April 04, 2004
First things first. Yes, I know that Iverson is injured, but that never kept him from playing before did it? He's suffered from injuries just as serious as his knee is now, so why isn't he playing? He wants out, thats why. McGrady. One of the most talented offensive players in the game. But will not go to war with his teammates into the inferno of a "meaningless" total of 10 games. Finish it out, you owe the fans and your teammates that much. Webber. So the fans are booing. So What?! Get out there and play like you are capable of playing. If you're having trouble getting into "playing shape", ignore them and concentrate on your game. If you can't hack it, leave. The Kings will keep chugging along without you.