12/21/24
July 16, 2010
Chris Webber does not want to be compared to Darko: Minnesota general manager David Kahn guested at the play-by-play table for a summer league game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, sitting between Matt Winer and Chris Webber. The entire interview had Kahn in a corner, with little pressing, backed into explaining his recent work as Timberwolves boss.
posted by BornIcon to basketball at 07:39 AM - 10 comments
Come on now lets be fair to Darko, unlike Webber, he might know how to count to 5.
Unlike Darko, C-Webb is a future Hall of Famer with career stats like these:
20.7 pts 9.8 rbs 4.2 ast 2.7 blk
No comparison.
posted by BornIcon at 08:55 AM on July 16, 2010
Super-uncomfortable and I think the GM might want to look into a couple of at-home media relations courses. On the other hand, does anyone else feel like CWebb is working way to hard to be the next Charles Barkley? I don't mind him on TV, but it looks like he's trying to be controversial/ confrontational.
posted by yerfatma at 10:34 AM on July 16, 2010
No, I don't think CWebb is confrontational/controversial. I do think he will probably say what he thinks, which is a nice change. I think that interview was probably a pretty good example. He wasn't confrontational, but he wasn't drinking the kool-aid. That GM was delusional about Darko and Webber asked a pretty good question "what do you see that no one else sees". Of course, I wouldn't say Barkley is particularly confrontational either.
I have always been a fan of C-Webb. He has moments of brilliance on and off the court, but he never seemed to reach his potential.
posted by bperk at 11:07 AM on July 16, 2010
never seemed to reach his potential
Dead on.
My first response to the "future hof'er" comment was to quickly reply not a chance, then I reviewed Webber's stats - very impressive. He also had 442 double-doubles and 20 triple doubles, pretty unheard of for a guy playing the 4 or 5 position.
Still his legacy seems to be as a gifted role player who never seemed to take it to the next level.
I do like his commentary style, seems to shoot from the hip but without the over-the-top comedy routine his peers favour. The Wolves GM on the other hand came across as someone who doesn't have a clue.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:31 AM on July 16, 2010
The Wolves GM on the other hand came across as someone who doesn't have a clue.
Signing Darko to a 4 year $20 million should've been the first warning that David Kahn doesn't have a clue.
Still his legacy seems to be as a gifted role player who never seemed to take it to the next level.
You seem to forget his years in Sacramento when we was leading the Kings to the playoffs.
posted by BornIcon at 12:01 PM on July 16, 2010
The draft that ushered Webber into the league was a turning point IMO. A moment when things got uglier for the sport at the pro level. Webber getting picked # 1 by Orlando than traded, the whole rookie money thing, then him bulldozing his way out of Golden State a couple of years later, etc. Way too much dictatorial discretionary power and resources being thrown at unproven guys just coming into the league.
Webber made his own conflicts and enemies and forged his own pro career path, which ended up being far more arduous and twisting than it ever needed to be. More continuity and less enigma and no one would question his glide into the HOF.
He should make some sort of HOF just based on the number of high picks and players he was traded for over the years. Webber had tons of talent and played very well at certain times. But I'm more of a fan of the hard working rock solid than the operatic. I'd take a team of Mitch Richmonds over a team of Webbers any day. Win, lose, or draw.
Speaking of Webber and all the connections thereunto beholding: Penny Hardaway has just reached out to the Heat and wants to re-up at age 39. Still thinks he's got something left.
There is just no escaping the viselike hold that the Miami franchise currently has on our attention span.
posted by beaverboard at 01:32 PM on July 16, 2010
Chris Webber is to the BHOF as Chris Osgood is to the HHOF. Based purely on stats, there's no denying they belong. But if you actually watched their careers, should they be mentioned in those groups? As a huge Ozzie fan, that hurts me to say. I don't want to see the day he replaces Michel Goulet on everyone's WTF list...
And bperk, what had more to do with Shaq leaving Orlando, Penny and management, or Shaq's rapping and acting "careers" plus $121 mill? I too wish CWebb woulda played in Orlando, though. That's always been one of my go to "what-if" scenarios when me and the guys get to talking basketball...
posted by MeatSaber at 06:38 PM on July 16, 2010
I blame Penny Hardaway for Shaq leaving Orlando and all that followed.
I blame Hollywood.
posted by rcade at 06:47 PM on July 16, 2010
I don't want to see the day he replaces Michel Goulet on everyone's WTF list...
The top of that list is Clark Gillies.
14 seasons, two top 10 finishes (9th in points, 5th in plus/minus 1978-79) in ANY major statistical category, and not in the top 100 in ANY career categories. He's well below a point-per-game, doesn't have 1000 games played, and
One all-star game appearance, and two post-season all-star teams.
In comparison, Goulet has five top 10 finishes in goals, four top 10 finishes in points and one top 10 finish in assists . He's also in the top 100 for career numbers like goals, assists, and points. He appeared in 5 all-star games and 5 post-season all-star teams.
I submit that Clark Gillies is the single worst HOF choice in all 4 major North American sports (non-builder/official/veteran's committee choice).
posted by grum@work at 09:50 PM on July 16, 2010
Come on now lets be fair to Darko, unlike Webber, he might know how to count to 5. As in, each team gets 5 timeouts in a televised collegiate game.