<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Free-agent forward Chris Webber has become personally involved in talks with the Lakers about joining the club, according to his agent, Aaron Goodwin. Webber spoke Saturday with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and was hoping to talk Saturday night to Coach Phil Jackson. Goodwin said he had talked Friday with Kupchak. Playing time, not money, appears to be the issue for Webber with the Lakers, because two of the other four teams courting the 33-year-old power forward can offer him more money. "If Phil can convince [Kupchak] to make a decision," Goodwin said, "maybe something can be done." Goodwin couldn't resist taking a playful jab at Jackson, who had complained Friday night that Goodwin hadn't returned calls to the Lakers, playfully questioning why Goodwin didn't have more than one cellphone. "Chris will be calling Phil on his cellphone," Goodwin said. "That is, if he has a cellphone. I guess he didn't know we had talked to Mitch several times [Friday]." Webber was averaging more than 30 minutes a game with the Philadelphia 76ers before they waived him Thursday. When Lamar Odom (sprained knee) and Kwame Brown (sprained ankle) return to the lineup, probably by the end of the month, and with the effective play of Luke Walton, Jackson will already have his hands full trying to find minutes in the front court for Brian Cook, Vladimir Radmanovic and Ronny Turiaf, all of whom have had their moments of effectiveness. Asked if Webber would be a starter if he signed with the Lakers, Jackson dodged the question Friday night. "I think, if a player can contribute," Jackson said, "that's all he wants to know." Webber, a five-time All-Star now in his 16th season, also has expressed interest in joining Detroit, Miami, Orlando and Dallas. The Heat has its full mid-level exception, worth about $5 million. The Magic has about half its mid-level exception. The Lakers, Pistons and Mavericks have all used their mid-level exceptions. The Lakers could offer Webber a two-year contract worth about $2 million. Monday is the first day Webber can formally sign with a team.</div> Source C'mon Webber!
I think if Phil can find a way to make playing time work, C-WEBB could push the Lakers over the hump in terms of being real contenders. He would open up so many opportunities for the perimiter players because he can hit the open man on the wing and find the cutter from just about any angle.
Oh ok, it seems legit. That's pretty annoying though. Anyways, this would be a great move for the Lakers. Against the Magic, none of the Lakers big men did anything. If Los Angeles could bring Webber in, the Lakers would have a talented big man that can score and pass. Webber fits in with the triangle offense and he would make the Lakers a very scary team and definitely turns them into contenders.
The thing that intrigues me most about Webber is that we could actually have a legit big man who can hit the midrange jumper. I know Cook can, but I consider him a wing player trapped in a big body. I don't see why he couldn't steal the starting PF spot. If Jackson wants to strengthen our bench, he can move Walton to the 6th man (he isn't a selfish player, I don't think he'd mind this) and Odom down to SF. It's obvious this whole deal relies on Jackson. Webber wants to be here, Kobe wants him, and I think for the most part, the fans want him.
Would this be a 1-2 year contract? I think the addition of Webber will obviously add firepower to our team, but it may hurt the development and steal away time/experience from our other players who are still trying to grasp the offensive schemes and are a part of the Lakers future.
The only problem with Webber replacing Luke that it diminishes Luke's incentives to resign with the Lakers when he can start for at least a handful of teams in the league. I'm not saying that he WON'T resign if Webber were to sign, but he'd be more inclined not to.
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The only problem with Webber replacing Luke that it diminishes Luke's incentives to resign with the Lakers when he can start for at least a handful of teams in the league. I'm not saying that he WON'T resign if Webber were to sign, but he'd be more inclined not to.</div> Walton wouldn't mind coming off the bench, as long as he gets his minutes, which he will. Also, Walton really isn't that great of a player without the triangle offense. Remember when we had Rudy T coaching? Walton was absolutely horrible. His game is built for the triangle, plus Walton has lived in SoCal all his life. He is also one of Phil Jackson's favorite players on the roster, so I doubt Walton goes elsewhere.
I will be shocked If Webber goes anywhere else but Detroit. It also makes zero sense for Webber to go to the Lakers and go back to the west. Doesn't help him or his quest to win a title.
Great news, this look like it's between the Lakers and Pistons right now, hometown vs the fame. It's a great addition if the Lakers can add C-Web. It can only help, and there is no harm. <div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I will be shocked If Webber goes anywhere else but Detroit. It also makes zero sense for Webber to go to the Lakers and go back to the west. Doesn't help him or his quest to win a title.</div> It makes sense, think about it. C-Web had his biggest success in cali, even outside of basketball (he dated Tyra Bank! lol). The Lakers are one of the team on the rising. The triangle offense, according to C-Web, is best suit for his game. Phil Jackson and Kobe, the two he'll be most interesting in playing with. Most important, he feels he can help this Lakers team to become a real legit contender. If he plays anywhere else, like Detroit, Miami, or Dallas, he isn't going to make an impact. Down the road in his career, nobody would say C-Web is the reason they won the championship, just like Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning. They won a championship but not as a main key guys on the team. After all, I think it's going down to the fame vs the hometown. His family, friend, and everybody want C-Web to go back and play for his hometown, but in his mind, I think he wants to play in a town that give him a celebrity status, and LA can offers him that. A lot of NBA players "love" to play in front of the crowds that included Hollywood celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jack Nicholson, Jessica Alba, etc...Also the weather is usually warm here. You can chillz at the beach even during the winter. I don't think Detroit is a place where C-Web goes back to and live in, no disrespect.
I've heard the Lakers are cooling their Jet's about Webber simply because Jackson can't commit to giving him the playing time and role that he wants. It's frustrating but Jackson know's this team best so if he doesn't think it'll work then maybe he's right.
<div class="quote_poster">ilive4ball Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I've heard the Lakers are cooling their Jet's about Webber simply because Jackson can't commit to giving him the playing time and role that he wants. It's frustrating but Jackson know's this team best so if he doesn't think it'll work then maybe he's right.</div> If Webber has this type of attitude then I don't want him on the team. No coach is going to guarantee a player minutes, you have to EARN them.
Bye Bye Webber <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Detroit Pistons are close to reaching an agreement with free agent Chris Webber, sources close to the negotiations said Thursday night. </div> Source
^ Well, I don't really think much of that. They've been saying Webber was close to reaching agreement with the Pistons for days now. Nothing can be official until Tuesday, so if we really want him, we've got plenty of time
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> It makes sense, think about it. C-Web had his biggest success in cali, even outside of basketball (he dated Tyra Bank! lol). The Lakers are one of the team on the rising. The triangle offense, according to C-Web, is best suit for his game. Phil Jackson and Kobe, the two he'll be most interesting in playing with. Most important, he feels he can help this Lakers team to become a real legit contender. If he plays anywhere else, like Detroit, Miami, or Dallas, he isn't going to make an impact. Down the road in his career, nobody would say C-Web is the reason they won the championship, just like Gary Payton and Alonzo Mourning. They won a championship but not as a main key guys on the team.</div> Why does It matter what Webber did in cal before? we are talking about now. The guy is 33, he has no time to wait for the Lakers to rise. He is looking to win now. Adding Webber won't make the Lakers a title contender. Lakers need to upgrade their point guard spot and their defense for that to happen. Why wouldn't Webb have an impact elsewhere? In Detroit he would start and have a chance to make the finals with some very good players around him who have been and know what it takes to win a title. Webber would be a key guy in Detroit. He would start and be a main member of the team. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After all, I think it's going down to the fame vs the hometown. His family, friend, and everybody want C-Web to go back and play for his hometown, but in his mind, I think he wants to play in a town that give him a celebrity status, and LA can offers him that. A lot of NBA players "love" to play in front of the crowds that included Hollywood celebrities such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jack Nicholson, Jessica Alba, etc...Also the weather is usually warm here. You can chillz at the beach even during the winter. I don't think Detroit is a place where C-Web goes back to and live in, no disrespect.</div>Those kind of things matter when you are young, not when you are 33 and looking to win straight away. Webber going to the west is not smart. Why risk hurting your body going up against guys like Dirk, Duncan, Brand, Garnett, Randolph, Amare, Boozer e,t.c 3 or 4 times through a season? He needs to stay east where there isn't much to offer in terms of elite big men. In the west he would have to go through teams like Mavs, Spurs, Suns or Rockets to get to the finals. With the Pistons in the east It wouldn't take much to get to the finals and once he is there, woh knows what may happen. Going to the Pistons and staying east would be far better for his career.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The thing that intrigues me most about Webber is that we could actually have a legit big man who can hit the midrange jumper. I know Cook can, but I consider him a wing player trapped in a big body. I don't see why he couldn't steal the starting PF spot. If Jackson wants to strengthen our bench, he can move Walton to the 6th man (he isn't a selfish player, I don't think he'd mind this) and Odom down to SF. It's obvious this whole deal relies on Jackson. Webber wants to be here, Kobe wants him, and I think for the most part, the fans want him.</div>After reading this post, it seems a goddamn good idea (but I still don't know who would we give up for him or we would just pick him up)? If it would be the the last oppurtunity, we would have a lineup consisting: G - Smush Parker G - Kobe Bryant F - Lamar Odom F - Chris Webber C - Chris Mihm/Kwame Brown/Andrew Bynum And the best coach: Phil Jackson. Pretty scay, huh !? L.A. for the title !
According to WDFN AM 1130 radio in Detroit Chris Webber will be at the Pistons/Wolves game today at the palace and will commit to the Pistons tomorrow then sign a contract with the Pistons. With Pistons set to trade for Marko Jaric, the writing is on the wall.
<div class="quote_poster">AllNet Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">According to WDFN AM 1130 radio in Detroit Chris Webber will be at the Pistons/Wolves game today at the palace and will commit to the Pistons tomorrow then sign a contract with the Pistons. With Pistons set to trade for Marko Jaric, the writing is on the wall.</div>Nonono. That's not good, I hope that this trade will not happen ! What/who would help Lakers then !?
