boutons
02-24-2005, 06:20 AM
The New York Times
February 24, 2005
Surprising Deal Sends Webber to the 76ers
By LIZ ROBBINS
On the night before the trading deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a reverberating trade last night to acquire one of the top players in the West - Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber - boosting their chances to win not only the mediocre Atlantic Division but to challenge for an Eastern Conference championship.
When Billy King, the Sixers' general manager, told the star guard Allen Iverson of the trade, Iverson was in disbelief.
"He was ecstatic and even said, 'You're joking,' " King said last night at a news conference.
The teams in the Atlantic Division must be shaking their heads as well with what seemed like a lopsided trade. Philadelphia (26-27) gave up only the role players Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner and Corliss Williamson and also received guard Matt Barnes and forward Michael Bradley.
Webber, a five-time All-Star who was snubbed this season as he had been recovering from knee surgery in 2003, will earn approximately $62 million for the next three years and is making $17.5 million.
He had averaged 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 46 games for the Kings this season and had slowly been regaining his form. But over the past summer, it seemed that either he or small forward Peja Stojakovic would have to leave the Kings.
The Sixers spoiled the Knicks' designs on Webber, adding salt to the wounds since Philadelphia comes to play at Madison Square Garden tonight. Webber, though, will not play, a Sixers spokesman said.
The Sixers also made life more miserable for their neighbors up the Jersey Turnpike, the spiraling Nets, and gave their own All-Star most valuable player, Iverson, a top-notch post player to team with to try to win a championship.
"The message we're sending is we got a player who is averaging 21 and 10 and with our young guys, now add a player like Chris, I think we've got a good mix," King said.
"He had the knee injury, everything we had done and checked on and watching him play, he's averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, still a great passer," King added. "The way we've played, it will allow young guys to develop more. We've been working to get guys who can space the floor even more."
Geoff Petrie, the Kings' general manager, said last night at a news conference that the "change in direction" would be beneficial.
"The trade gives us flexibility and additional depth," Petrie said.
Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company
February 24, 2005
Surprising Deal Sends Webber to the 76ers
By LIZ ROBBINS
On the night before the trading deadline, the Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a reverberating trade last night to acquire one of the top players in the West - Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber - boosting their chances to win not only the mediocre Atlantic Division but to challenge for an Eastern Conference championship.
When Billy King, the Sixers' general manager, told the star guard Allen Iverson of the trade, Iverson was in disbelief.
"He was ecstatic and even said, 'You're joking,' " King said last night at a news conference.
The teams in the Atlantic Division must be shaking their heads as well with what seemed like a lopsided trade. Philadelphia (26-27) gave up only the role players Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner and Corliss Williamson and also received guard Matt Barnes and forward Michael Bradley.
Webber, a five-time All-Star who was snubbed this season as he had been recovering from knee surgery in 2003, will earn approximately $62 million for the next three years and is making $17.5 million.
He had averaged 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 46 games for the Kings this season and had slowly been regaining his form. But over the past summer, it seemed that either he or small forward Peja Stojakovic would have to leave the Kings.
The Sixers spoiled the Knicks' designs on Webber, adding salt to the wounds since Philadelphia comes to play at Madison Square Garden tonight. Webber, though, will not play, a Sixers spokesman said.
The Sixers also made life more miserable for their neighbors up the Jersey Turnpike, the spiraling Nets, and gave their own All-Star most valuable player, Iverson, a top-notch post player to team with to try to win a championship.
"The message we're sending is we got a player who is averaging 21 and 10 and with our young guys, now add a player like Chris, I think we've got a good mix," King said.
"He had the knee injury, everything we had done and checked on and watching him play, he's averaging 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, still a great passer," King added. "The way we've played, it will allow young guys to develop more. We've been working to get guys who can space the floor even more."
Geoff Petrie, the Kings' general manager, said last night at a news conference that the "change in direction" would be beneficial.
"The trade gives us flexibility and additional depth," Petrie said.
Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company