Vescey argues that Webber and Spurs=Perfect Match and a fourth ring...

[Big Shot Rob]

C-WEBB, SPURS PERFECT MATCH CHRIS WEBBER
Dunkin' with Duncan?
January 12, 2007 -- CHOOSING any desti nation other than San Antonio once Chris Webber clears waivers would be unreasonably risky, it says here. Just as it'd be incongruous for the Spurs not to romance the 34-year-old (come March 1), who, from what I've seen, has plenty of time-out calls left in him.

It's an alliance made in Rick (Fantasia) Kamala's Korner. The half-court, team-tilted Spurs would offer the lead-legged Webber defensive protection and a platinum prospect of getting off the championship schneid.

At the same time, the NBA's all-time pristine passing power forward would offer overburdened Tim Duncan the everyday, all-around, frontline assistance he sorely needs and deeply deserves.

Webber's hometown 20-13 Pistons, indeed, may weigh heavy in his heart. Still, adding him to Detroit's churning urn of burning funk would further mess up a mix that was manhandled Wednesday in Auburn Hills by the 10-23 Bobcats.

Friction between The Palace troops and their commanding officer is undeniable. Within the last week, Dale Davis and Rasheed Wallace missed a practice. Such insolence prompted Flip Saunders to bury Davis on the bench and twice use Wallace as an understudy, a role he mockingly embraced verbally, though his scorn didn't seem to translate to his effort: 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

On the other hand, as the Bobcats game was getting away from the Pistons, Wallace, adding insult to insult, con uously looked off his coach while he was speaking during a huddle. Sheeeed!

Considering what went on in Sacramento at the end of Webber's tour and his nearly two years of turmoil in Philadelphia, I've got to believe Webber would want to distance himself from any potential problems in what could turn out to be his Last Chance, Last Dance.

Greg Popovich permitting, the Spurs would provide Webber his best shot of earning the elusive ring, minus the pressure of great expectations, one of the limitless benefits of teaming up with Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Yes, Webber must take some of the load off those three, especially Duncan, because Robert Horry, Fabricio Oberto, Francisco Elson and Matt Bonner only have so much to donate to the cause.

On the other hand, there will be no demand or outcry from management, the media or the fans to rise above the Spurs' hallowed trinity. If Webber is able to stay healthy and contribute 15-20 points and eight-to-10 rebounds on a regular basis, it'd elevate San Antonio to the plutonium plateau where the Mavericks are operating . . . and Houston is bound to reach should Yao Ming regain his stratospheric strut when he returns in two months or so from a broken leg. If for no other reason than to deprive the Spurs, the Mavs have to think about reaching out to Webber. But the reality is, they need him like another assistant coach.

Here are some other options cited by Webber, who plans to make his decision by Monday:

Linking up with Dwight Howard in Orlando appeals to him as it does to one and all. He's tempted also by the opportunity to play for Ronnie Rothstein. But why hazard siding with Shaquille O'Neal's defending champion Heat and discover the Rehab Center isn't coming back from knee surgery a centrifugal force?

And then there are the Lakers, who happen to play in Los Angeles, a big plus in Webber's mind, because he sees himself as a big-city, big-time guy and, no doubt, sees the city of San Antonio as strictly small time.

The Lakers were the first team on his lips last night when interviewed on TNT, other than to dispute the network's earlier report the Pistons were the clear-cut favorite. Only a person with a basketball "HiQ" and an enormous ego would feel he can speed-learn Phil Jackson's triangle offense on the fly and, in chorus, figure out how to co-exist with Kobe Bryant and fit in with Lamar Odom.

That pretty much sums up Chris Webber. But as underlined when we got underway, enlisting with the Spurs is Paradise Gained. Enroll anywhere else and he's just playing games.

*

Despite Earl Boykins' relocation to the Bucks, as the Nuggets' most practiced scorers return from suspended contamination - J.R. Smith played in Wednesday's home setback to the Spurs; Carmelo Anthony must remain inactive for another four games - the fewer minutes there are at three positions for grunts who take pleasure in performing scutwork.

*

Big Ups to Dikembe Mutombo, who moved past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar into second place in all-time blocked shots (3,191) behind Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830) . . . for whatever that's worth. The stat wasn't compiled prior to the 1973-74 season.

In other words, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Nate Thurmond (for the most part), etc., aren't included. The league owes it to those who dominated that era to revisit every box score, do the math and put these guys in the rightful place. If you count blocks, we might find Wilt averaged more triple-doubles than Oscar Robertson. Seriously!

[AFBlue]

The half-court, team-tilted Spurs would offer the lead-legged Webber defensive protection and a platinum prospect of getting off the championship schneid.

If this were the Spurs of '03 he might have a point....but this one is a reach.

If Webber is able to stay healthy and contribute 15-20 points and eight-to-10 rebounds on a regular basis, it'd elevate San Antonio to the plutonium plateau where the Mavericks are operating

If he were able to get the Spurs that, I'd sign him in a heartbeat, but I doubt that'd be his level of production.


Overall, I'm sure there are positives to bringing Webber on-board, but I'm more sure that the risks outweigh the possible gains.

[boutons_]

"plenty of time-out calls left in him.'

cheap shot.

If Chris was 15 - 20 lbs lighter (aka "serious about playing on a re-built knee"), and the price wasn't too bad, take him.

[Borosai]

Isn't Detroit basically a done deal?

[mountainballer]

Overall, I'm sure there are positives to bringing Webber on-board, but I'm more sure that the risks outweigh the possible gains.

for the minimum, it would be a story like Big Dog in 2005. just do it, even if it is just to prevent him going to another contender.

for sure he isn't exactly the right plan to solve the Spurs problems. so this trade for the athletic wing should still be the focus.

in a perfect scenario the Spurs just work out a two for one trade for the player needed and fill the open spot with C-Webb on a minimum contract.
he has a horrible season and not much left in the tank, but I'm sure a big part of the decline came from being so unhappy in Philly.

[AFBlue]

for the minimum, it would be a story like Big Dog in 2005. just do it, even if it is just to prevent him going to another contender.

for sure he isn't exactly the right plan to solve the Spurs problems. so this trade for the athletic wing should still be the focus.

in a perfect scenario the Spurs just work out a two for one trade for the player needed and fill the open spot with C-Webb on a minimum contract.
he has a horrible season and not much left in the tank, but I'm sure a big part of the decline came from being so unhappy in Philly.

Good point on keeping him away from other contenders...but at what cost to the current team? Unless the Spurs pull off a 2-1 trade, they would have to give up one of their most valuable trade assets in Eric Williams' expiring contract by cutting him. I see your point, but I still think the Spurs can do better than Webber.

[mountainballer]

I see your point, but I still think the Spurs can do better than Webber.

of course, that is what I tried to say. signing Webber would have to be a kind of an additional move and should be dropped if it prevents another move that is more important (the aquiring of an athletic wing and somehow getting another back-up PG)

but I just read, that C-Webb will sign with Detroit, which would be the most logical move for him (hometown) and Detroit, since McDyess is playing that bad. even the Webber of this season is a huge upgrade over the McDyess of this season.

[rayray2k8]

Isn't Detroit basically a done deal?

Thats what they're saying, but I overheard Kenny Smith say that Webber wasnt to sure about going there during one of the half time games.
If someone saw it, please note what was said.

[MrChug]

Isn't this all a moot point now?

[Streakyshooter08]

I don't think he would be able to put up 18/8 on a reagular basis but he would definetly help. But it is almost certain that he won't play for the Spurs... Pop already said they are not interested...

[SequSpur]

There are 4-5 players on the Spurs right now that could be waived without an effect on the win loss column.... Come... on.... Pull your heads out of your asses. This deal could only benefit them.

[wildbill2u]

For Webber to get the production in ppg and rebounds that Vescey projects, he'd have to play a ton of minutes. Whose minutes would he take?

I don't think you move TD to center and play Webber beside him in this league anymore. Both of them lumbering around the floor, trying to cut off fleet guards and SFs on help defense, would be sad to watch.

[Bob Lanier]

Why would you want to "keep him from other contenders"? Even before he was completely finished, Chris Webber is exactly the kind of player you should be overjoyed at a contender letting handle the ball.

Of course, so is Antoine Walker.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Rick Barry and Alaa Abdelnaby said as much on "Inside the Paint" yesterday.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think the Spurs should try to get McDyess if Webber signs with Detroit. I think Detroit would be big man heavy after signing Webber. I know Antonio hasn't had a good year, but he'd line up better with Duncan in our frontcourt than Webber would.

[picnroll]

Are the Spurs the elephant burying ground for washed up players?

[Mr. Body]

Are the Spurs the elephant burying ground for washed up players?

No, thank God. Well, not any more. The gates have closed on this sort of thing. Finley was last one in.

[Emanuel20]

What will happen if we don't get webber?(which is the more likely think to happen)

[Mr. Body]

Nothing.

[Emanuel20]

What will happen if we don't get webber?(which is most likely think to happen)

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Webber won't be a Spur. He does nothing to address the needs we have.

Case in point. We can't stop Dirk or, to a lesser degree Josh Howard, and I don't see Webber coming in and solving either of those problems for us.

[MrChug]

Webber won't be a Spur. He does nothing to address the needs we have.

Case in point. We can't stop Dirk or, to a lesser degree Josh Howard, and I don't see Webber coming in and solving either of those problems for us.

I don't think that's the way to look at it. I really don't. Look at it from this perspective. Webber said he'd happily play center on TNT last night. Could he do as well, if not better than our current starting center? ACROSS THE BOARD YES. That would allow Fab to play 4 more often as a solid backup. That would give us 4 solid PASSING big men to help the offense flow. His help on the boards are enought to show he'd be welcome. But oh, well...Good luck Pistons.

[Mr. Body]

Hollinger sez... "Webber is perhaps the worst frontcourt defender in the NBA."

Now, don't get excited that this means he might not be the EXACT worst defender in the NBA, but he's perfectly lousy. Essentially he scores points for the other team.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I don't think that's the way to look at it. I really don't. Look at it from this perspective. Webber said he'd happily play center on TNT last night. Could he do as well, if not better than our current starting center? ACROSS THE BOARD YES. That would allow Fab to play 4 more often as a solid backup. That would give us 4 solid PASSING big men to help the offense flow. His help on the boards are enought to show he'd be welcome. But oh, well...Good luck Pistons.

I see what you're saying...I really do. I know he has some pretty good upside. I just think the Mavericks have instilled this notion in the Spurs coaching staff that we can't beat them going with our traditional dual big-man approach. Would Webber be happy with 6 shots a night? I'm not sure.

Plus, I'm convinced big Dave could have averaged close to 20 a night on any team except the Spurs right up until the end of his career. In Sacramento they used to run the offense through Webber. I don't see that happening here. I think Webber would be lucky to even see as many touches as DRob got here.

Webber would definitely force some teams to adjust to us on defense which would be nice...I'm just not sure Pop's that into setting the tone these days. He seems more content to try to beat a team at their game.

[VaSpursFan]

Webber would definitely force some teams to adjust to us on defense which would be nice...I'm just not sure Pop's that into setting the tone these days. He seems more content to try to beat a team at their game.

ain't that the truth. it's always easier for you to win a game when you force a team to play the way you're accustomed to playing. it's a stretch for them and old hat for you.

webber would absolutely suck on D in transition, but could he guard a damp/diop/center in the post and keep em off the boards? i say yes and that way we still have 2 bigs in the game. plus, c. webb has the ability to make post players work on the defensive end. what could it hurt? and let's be real, our D isn't that great this year, anyway.