Webber's addition makes 76ers contenders (Agencies) Updated: 2005-02-26 09:21
With one bold move to acquire Chris Webber, Philadelphia went from the fringe
of the Eastern Conference playoffs to instant contenders.
No more worrying about a strong second scorer to complement Allen Iverson. No
more wondering how the Sixers could compete with one of the most undersized
frontcourts around.
Forget winning the Atlantic Division. Webber has the Sixers thinking about
making a run to the NBA Finals.
"We're trying to make a push now," said veteran guard Aaron McKie. "You don't
want to sit back and just be comfortable with making the playoffs. With
everything that went down, we're trying to make a statement."
![Before the start of the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 in Dallas, Mavericks fan Israel Norcom, munches on popcorn and holds a sign expressing his delight with the Kings trade of Chris Webber to the Philadelphia 76ers. [AP]](xin_510202260924656146348.jpg) Before the start of the Sacramento Kings and
the Dallas Mavericks game on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 in Dallas, Mavericks
fan Israel Norcom, munches on popcorn and holds a sign expressing his
delight with the Kings trade of Chris Webber to the Philadelphia 76ers.
[AP] | Webber brought his 21.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists from Sacramento
to Philadelphia (26-28) in one of two trade deadline deals by Sixers president
Billy King. The other one brought 3-point specialist Rodney Rogers to the Sixers
for Glenn Robinson.
Webber did not practice with the Sixers on Friday and still needed to
complete a physical. Still, he was expected to be in the lineup on Saturday
night when the Sixers host, of all teams, the Kings.
Coach Jim O'Brien had a brief conversation with the five-time All-Star
forward, and Webber said he was excited about playing with Iverson. The NBA's
top scorer has always wanted a legitimate No. 2, but with little luck.
Robinson, the "Big Dog," was the latest in a long line who failed in that
role.
Jerry Stackhouse didn't adjust; Tim Thomas and Larry Hughes didn't get much
of a chance; Toni Kukoc underachieved; Matt Harpring never fit in; and Keith Van
Horn faded in the postseason.
None of them had the resume of Webber.
"Chris Webber is a cut above most power forwards in the league, offensively,"
O'Brien said.
O'Brien hoped Webber would ease some of the scoring burden off Iverson, who
scored 60 points in a game this year. Iverson and Webber may be the best
inside-outside duo in the league besides Miami's Shaquille O'neal and Dwyane
Wade.
"Now you're in a situation where Allen doesn't have to do everything off the
dribble or be the guy that has ballhandling responsibilities probably 80 percent
of the time," O'Brien said.
O'Brien said Webber could do for the Sixers what Rasheed Wallace did when he
was traded in midseason to Detroit last year — deliver a title.
"But Rasheed was joining a team that had back-to-back 50-win seasons,"
O'Brien cautioned. "As for changing the balance of power in the East, I think
that all remains to be seen."
The Sixers were undersized in the frontcourt, with the 6-foot-7 Kenny Thomas
and 6-7 Corliss Williamson often playing at the same time. Thomas and Williamson
were sent with free agent bust Brian Skinner to the Kings for Webber.
King made a steadfast commitment to keeping the young nucleus intact, notably
Andre Iguodala, center Samuel Dalembert and forward Kyle Korver. With their age
and Iverson's and Webber's salaries reaching the $20 million range in a couple
of years, this could be the Sixers core roster for a while.
And it's one that's suddenly expected to win now.
"I thought we were a playoff team already," King said. "I thought we had a
real good chance to win the Atlantic Division even without making a deal. But I
think this deal gives us a better chance."
The biggest issue now could be easing Webber's fears about playing in Philly
in front of their notoriously tough fans. Webber told the Sacramento Bee for
Friday's edition that he initially had concerns about Philadelphia's demanding
fans.
"I really worried about how the city of Philly was going to accept me," he
said, "but then about five minutes after the trade, (Allen Iverson) was on the
phone with me, and that made me feel better."
If he'd been hearing the buzz over his arrival on talk radio and on the
street, he wouldn't have to worry.
|
 | | Tiger woods advances in Accenture | | |  | | Champions League: Barca 2-1 Chelsea | | |  | | Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus | | |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top Sports
News |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|