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today.
He showed what most of us already know -that he has
a lot of basketball left in him. Petrie needs to sit
down with Vlade and have a serious talk about his
off-season conditioning program. I know it's probably
not in his contract, but if I was Petrie/The Maloofs,
I would force the issue and give him an ultimatum:
Get in shape or we'll ship you out. Even if it's just
a bluff, it's worth a try! JWill...too long and complicated
an issue to get into right now. Scot Pollard - has
to get a new hairdo for next season.Something that
won't draw him as many fouls!
I
also think the kings could use another asst.coach.
Someone younger,hipper tougher - Bill Lambeer anyone??
Not that he's so cool and hip, but I think we need
a tough guy presence on the coaching staff as well
as amongst the players.
My
last comment (For tonight anyway)...the Laker series
was all worth it just to watch Shaq Finally foul out
at Arco!!!!!! YeeeHaaww!!!
Fans
should make him stay
Istanbul
2008 (Alper-Turk)
If
San Antonio has made it, Sacramento can make it too.
You as Sacramento citizens should make Webber stay,
even his father is fighting on your side. There is
no logical reason for him to go. He has become a real
superstar here in Sacramento, and if he stays he will
get his ring. Everyone should make him understand
that every Sac-citizen and every Kings fan in this
small world wants him to stay at the Kings.
But
if those #Þ?s*o<'&<£½#@£f
and no-brain-writers in the media continue to write
their silly comments Webber will start to have a doubt
in his mind about whether this city wants him or not.
I please you (the Sacramento citizens) do whatever
you can to make him stay. I will start by sending
e-mails to those that write it was his last game in
a Kings jersey.
BTW
I will stop talking about who can we get instead of
Webber if he goes. Until he is gone, he is a King.
To
all the rest of the King's Men
el
donut
Vlade,
you gave up a tooth and took many a blow. To you we
say get in shape over the summer so you can bring
even more to the game earlier on. Nevertheless, you
did have brilliant moments and your spirit of camaraderie
and love for this team is exemplary. Thank you for
your leadership.
Doug
Christie, you are one whirling dervish. There were
so many times that you brought such intensity to the
floor that we thought you might erupt in flames. We
salute you for your outstanding efforts.
Jason,
you truly are an enigmaone not easily figured out.
You have natural talent that is sometimes so apparent
and other times so misdirected. You brought a lot
of excitement to this team, but the honeymoon is over.
You have your own work cut out for you, as do we all.
Peja,
you are well through your apprenticeship on you way
to becoming a journeyman. You played good game. Next
season your will have the experience gained by being
schooled (and mugged, and pushed, and grabbed, and
generally maligned) by Rick Fox. That experience will
pay dividends next round. Now you know what the play-offs
are all about.
John
Berry, your pluck and spirit have been a big asset
to this team. It was so misfortunate that you broke
your hand, forcing a prolonged layoff. You deserve
a better next season. Come back and lead the bench
mob to even greater achievement.
Bobby
Jackson, there were times when you leaped so high
that one wonders if you have springs for legs. Your
hustle and scramble were right there with Christie's.
Thank you for your amazing energy and all that you
brought to each and every game.
Brother
Hido, all that can be said is oh, brother, do you
have potential. You are a fearless warrior who, in
your first year, made a major impact and established
yourself as a full-fledged member of the NBA. Bulk
up a bit over the summer and bring even more ferocity
next season. The Kings need you.
To
the rest of the bench mob, your readiness in standby,
to jump in at a moment's notice has not gone unnoticed.
Lawrence Funderburke, there were a number of games
when you came in and wrecked havoc in the paint while
also exhibiting some crisp shooting. Thank you for
your enthusiastic play and may you come out next season
with even greater determination and aggressive play.
Derrick Martin thanks for being there as backup when
needed. We wish you more playing time next round.
And to the others on or off the injured list in holding,
may your injuries mend and your playing opportunities
increase. Thank you all.
To
all the members of this forum, it has been a mega-blast
to share this season with the heart attack Kings and
each other. Special mention goes out to Fireplug,
Pondo and the sunshine queen Reno Lady.
BTW,
when and where 'tis the third annual Bleacher's Mob
event to be held?
J-Will?
Pondo
Another
poster said something about a radio report that
JWill was on the trading block. Am not sure I feel
about it. Love his style of play but not sure is ready
to move to the next level of play. Feel he does really
understand the role of the PG and not sure why unless
it is his lack of experience or not being willing
to mature? Wonder whether he might be tied to CWebb
signing or not signing?
Will
CWebb sign a new contract with the kings or ???? What
will Geoff Petrie do? Who will be on the team next
year? What Draft choices do the Kings have and how
will they use them? Will J. Smith make the team next
season? Can the Kings win 55 or more games in the
2001-2002 season?
Observations
Milos
Just
some thoughts of a fan who is very, very far away,
on a different continent, saw only 10-11 Kings games
this season and can be wrong about everything.
The
last game...
was
amazing! I think many Laker fans will be keeping the
tape of this game for a long time. Too bad about the
sweep, the Kings deserved to win at least one game.
Kudos to Peja, Vlade and Doug, but special kudos to
Hedo and Kobe. Like him or not, Kobe is the next Jordan
and possibly better. Hedo played an amazing game and
is sure to get more playing time in the next season.
He probably should have gotten more already in this
season.
Webber...
is
not leaving the Kings. It would have to be one of
the worst decisions an NBA player ever made. To leave
a team with such potential, after a great regular
season (4th in the NBA!) with key players under contracts
and loyal fans? No way. Leave all that just to be
in a "more interesting" city? No way. But
since he is staying, he (and his teammates) will have
to adjust his game style. Much less shooting and more
team play. With a lineup (hopefully) of Doug, Hedo,
Peja, Chris and Vlade, playing as if Webber is the
only option is crazy. Perhaps the zone defense of
the opponents will actually help the Kings stay away
from that kind of play. If Webber won't/can't adjust,
then maybe he is not the right player for the Kings
and a trade would actually help.
Jason...
is
gone. He will never learn. He does not belong or deserve
to play with such a great bunch of players and human
beings. He does not lack talent and I don't think
he is as stupid as his decisions are. He can't control
himself and has no intention to even try. There is
no way he can stay in the starting lineup and I am
afraid that benching him would make his game even
worse. I understand and respect the Kings management
for giving him this (another) entire season to prove
himself, but this is where it ends. This season the
Kings could have gone all the way, and from this point
they would have had a better chance of doing so without
Jason. Next season, with Chris or an adequate replacement,
the Kings are again contenders. No more time to waste
on waiting for him to wake up. Find a better player
and go for the title.
Paesans
A
few observations. I've had the opportunity to sit
close to the Webber clan quite a few times this season.
One thing I can say is that they are truly a classy
bunch of people. I hope Webb listens to his Dad. You
don't just walk away from a 55 win team that is improving.
You can count on the ego-mess imploding the Lakers
sometime down the line, so a championship is possible
in Sac.! Truth is that he would be no closer to a
championship anywhere else than in Sacramento. Anywhere
that he goes to would still have to go through the
Lakers if they maintain their dominance. I think Petrie
will once again improve this team and take them to
the next level. Next year COULD be a championship
year for the Kings if they just stay together. I like
that Webb said the the Lakers are just like the Pistons
were to the Bulls. He is thinking along the lines
that the Kings are capable of winning a championship
in the future. Whether Webb leaves or stays, I personally
thank him for the great 3 seasons he gave us.
Cat
Man
When
you foul out Shaquille O'Neal and Rick Fox, and they
still get you, well the Lakers are just a damn good
team. Clutch shooting, help defense, rebounding ...
they did everything they had to do. They aren't pretty,
closer to Laimbeer's Pistons than to Magic's Lakers,
but they got it done. Sez here they take San Antonio
in five games and beat whoever limps out of the East
in six.
My
dad e-mailed me last night and asked if the Kings
would be down in Warriorsville should Chris Webber
leave. No, and here's why:
--
Peja Stojakovic and Hedo Turkoglu grew up the last
couple of weeks. Stojakovic adjusted against Shawn
Marion and, took a while, adjusted against Rick Fox.
He learned some veteran savvy and toughened his skin.
As for Brother Hedo, that was a tremendous coming
out party in the second half Sunday. The kid can play
a little bit. You can argue he wasn't the focal point
of L.A.'s defense, but he made some plays he had no
right to make. Geoff Petrie, you've done it again.
--
Doug Christie is another Petrie stroke of genius.
Where we saw a swing guard as part of some rotation,
he saw a legit off-guard. Sunday wasn't his best game,
but he showed plenty in the playoffs. Defensively,
put him and Bobby Jackson with any pair of guards
in the league. Keep your Allen Houstons and Latrell
Sprewells, thank you very much.
--
Since Petrie ain't no dummy, what makes anyone think
Lawrence Funderburke or even Scot Pollard becomes
his power forward should Webber leave? If he doesn't
swing someone special in a sign and trade, he's still
got Webber's money to spend on someone. Maybe two
players who can help. And that doesn't rule out Webber
coming back. He may love the night life and love to
boogie down the disco highway, but Webber may love
to be loved more than anything. He can play on my
team any time, and you know Petrie makes a full-court
press for him. He got a couple of Euros no one had
ever heard of before to get on board, perhaps he's
got the words to get Webber on the train, too. Certainly
he's got the bread, and what says lovin' better than
$823 gajillion?
Aside
from Webber, the biggest question is Jason Williams?
He took a couple of steps back, especially in this
series. He should have had Derek Fisher looking for
a hole in the floor; instead, Williams tripped on
the hole. Is the answer a trade? Is the answer benching
him behind Jackson? Maybe Petrie takes his problems
and puts them together: Convince Webber he needs to
stick around to kick Williams in the keester. You
know Vlade Divac will be glad to share that job.
Bring
on the Lakers. I want another shot...
Bonsy
I
was interested to see that Mayce was upset at all
the nonsense about Chris playing in NYC. But no matter
what he or Chris says, the sports writers won't give
up their angle. Now people are reading Chris' thoughts
as if the sports writers are speaking for Chris. It's
amusing to hear a caller on KHTK say "Webber
shouldn't want to move to the Eastern Conference because...."
when Webber never said he wanted to move to the Eastern
Conference. Sport writers said that. These people
are debating with sports writers who are all debating
with each other.
I
wonder if this "Webber is gone" stuff is
just their way to keep their disappointment down if
he does leave. It's irrational and reactionary to
the point where it makes no sense. Webber hasn't decided
yet. When he does, we'll deal with it. But this "he's
already gone" crap is nothing but self-delusion
or some sort of emotional preparation in case he does
leave.
Have
some patience. When it's time, we'll know his decision.
Oh,
wait. That doesn't sell newspapers or keep people
calling in to the radio station. Silly me.
Bo
Kimble
Most
of this stuff has probably been covered so I won't
take too much time.
First,
props to the Lakers . . . as much as it pains me,
they played like champions and did what they had to
do.
Nice
job.
Second
. . . Webber, yeah, it sure looked like he was taking
one last look around Arco as he left yesterday.
Yes
I would like Webber to stay, but I'm gettin' tired
of the 'what's wrong with Chris?' is he unhappy?,
does he not want to be here? etc. etc.
Him
questioning the heart of the team?
Look
in the mirror.
I
would love for him to stay, but at this point, if
you want to leave . . . see ya later. Thank you for
3 great years, you've done all that the organization
and the fans could ask. Good luck to ya.
Now
. . . sign and trade . . . my early wish list.
To
NY - Camby, Houston +
To
Indy - Jermaine O'neal +
To
Miami - Brian Grant
To
Houston - Mo Taylor, The Dream +
To
Orlando - Grant Hill
To
Portland - Sheed
This
is just fan 'wish list' talk, I don't know if any
or all or possible.
One
name though, Brian Grant. Bring the kid back, he's
a warrior. Tough rebounder. Let Peja, Hedo do the
scoring.
One
other scenario: Gary Payton. A package of Jason and
Hedo + could get it done. If Webber says he'll stay
or if Payton can get him to stay then you might consider
bringing in Payton.
Payton,
Christie, Peja, C-Webb, Vlade.
Again,
just fan talk.
Been
a great year. Enjoyed every agonizing second of it.
JB
It's
easy to say Webber wants out, but words are cheap
and reality bites - literally. The reality is that
Webber wants the money first. I already listed the
teams with enough cap room to sign him outright and
Houston has been identified as the leverage in the
negotiations. If Webber has fallen in love with the
Rox, there is no negotiations - he's gone. If he plays
the bluff game, then the Kings will get something
in return. Once the "bluff" is exposed,
the list of teams will be much like Bo's list above.
Once it gets down to that, the Kings position looks
much stronger. Webber will test the waters - no doubt.
That's why we keep hearing these rumors from Webber's
"inside people" that Houston is his first
choice. Go look at Houston's roster and it won't take
long to figure out that the Rox are not ready to make
a huge jump to the top of the western conference.
They are being used by Chris, plain and simple. IMO,
Chris wants to play for the Knicks, once he figures
out that the Kings will never deal with New York,
I think the Kings emerge as a strong second choice.
Chris can't reveal that or he loses his leverage in
a big hurry. I don't think the media has ever quite
caught on to the game and how they have been used.
Then again, most of them don't even know how the rules
of free agency really work, so all they are good for
is being a tool.
SandB
Bill
Ok..
our great season has come to an end.. what a season
Thanks Kings!
First,
I want to say I love this team, all of the players
on it.. Now comes the other side. What hurt Sacramento
time in and time out this year was lack of scoring
in the backcourt. It seemed that most teams always
out-scored us in the backcourt. If you don't have
a backcourt that can produce, you are going to make
life real hard on the guys up front. I love JWills
game and the energy he brings, but I really don't
think he will be back. I think Petrie will use him
in a trade. I think we will buy-out Anderson's contract.
More than anything, I think Petrie will sit with Webber
and make moves based on what happens with Webber.
If Webber stays, I think Petrie will go hard for Payton.
Players
I don't see Petrie trading: Peja, Hedo, Pollard, Vlade,
Doug and Martin. I think that Fundy and Smith's future
rides on Webber.
It
is really hard to say what will happen, so much is
going to depend on what Webber does, but I think it
is safe to say, we will do something about our backcourt,
and you can bet that Doug is going to be staying.
Why
I think Webber will stay.
I
believe Chris to be a smart man, as much as he may
love the night life of the big city, he has to know
that there is not a lot of it he will see during the
season. With his money, he can see it all he wants
on the off-season.
Webber
wants to win a championship, where does he really
have a chance to do that anytime soon without giving
a big pay cut? Webber will not play for less than
the max. It would be a business blunder, and the NBA
is a business.
Once
again, Webber wanted more than anything to be respected
by his peers and recognized as one of the best in
the game. This team was built around Webber, this
team was designed to show his talents and hide his
flaws. Where else could Webber go and keep his status
without a team rebuilding to be the Kings??
Webber
wants to be able to control his future and have input
into the making of the team. You can bet Sacramento
will give him these options, what other team will
let Webber hop on board and control them?
Look
at the teams that have been speculated to where Webber
wants to go..
Houston
- Failed to make Playoffs
New
York - Out round one
Orlando
- out round one
teams
he praised..
Portland
- out round one
Miami
- out round one
I
think all Sacramento needs to do is show Chris that
they are willing to do what it takes to win, and this
should be a pretty easy thing to do with the owners
and Petrie.
Last
but probably the most important..
The
Kings have an inside friend.. Mayce Webber
Roc
Hey
Bleacher Mob, Don't throw me out, I'm a Laker fan.
I just stopped in to say that your forum, your loyalty,
and your team should be commended. All three are real.
There are few things more exciting in sports than
a local team enjoyed by all its residents that causes
spontaneous moments of pure joy! And that's the current
Kings. Some argue that the true sign of a fan is to
follow and be supportive of a team that has no history
of winning. I'm not so certain that that's all together
true. When there are no expectations there are no
disappointments. Emotionally, it's actually easier
to follow the Clippers than a real contender. The
Clippers can't let you down and at the same time they're
so fun to watch because they can't let you down! It's
when you allow your heart to truly believe in a team
on the cusp of breaking out from the pack; when your
heart and head become swelled with anticipation; and
when your heart breaks and that makes you love and
cheer and hope even morethat's the sign of the best
fans. All championship franchises experience the process
and disappointment which makes the championship so
sweet when or if it finally arrives.
Hopefully,
Webber, after weighing all that he deems important
to him, will decide to claim the Kings franchise as
the jersey he wants to retire in. If he stays long
enough, with a couple of personnel adjustments, he
stands a real chance to reap the reward he desires.
If he's looking for the golden path to a championship,
it doesn't exist. If he's the player he thinks he
is, he needs to make the path. Those teams being tossed
around in the national media don't look too promising,
and not much is happening on the horizon. Some folks
think the grass is greener in their neighbor's lawn
only to discover the crabgrass and weeds under closer
inspection. Give him a chance for that closer inspection.
sbelmont
Well
first of all, Doug and the organization have to come
to an agreement regarding a new contract. He'll probably
want a 5 or 6 year deal with an annual average salary
of 5/6 million. With the Nick Anderson situation having
gone bad, Petrie might not be willing to commit those
number of years. If nothing can be worked out, the
Kings might be forced to use Hedo as the starting
two guard.
Hedo
in my opinion would be better off coming of the bench
initially his 2nd season but ought to be play 25-30
minutes per game and have more plays run for him.
Hutch007
Cha,
Cha, Cha, Cha, Changes...
FIRST
Man
oh man, trade Webber or not -- we should all know
that Petrie will make some great moves this summer
... regaradless.
SECOND
Hedo
may have played great to end the season, but I don't
see him starting next year. He still needs to learn
and mature. There's no way we could depend on this
guy to start at PG. I like him as our 6th man at the
1 / 2 / 3 spot.
Bawsor
What
makes Webber's decision to stay or leave so gut-wrenching
and, at the same time, so potentially heartbreaking,
is the love-affair that has developed between Webber
and the Kings, the fans, and the city of Sacramento.
I believe the relationship transcends the games, the
wins, the back-passes, and the dunks. It is more than
about who the Kings get back IF he leaves. There is
going to be an emotional void, as there will always
be when a love-affair ends. As the Feb ESPN article
said, "When CWEBB leaves a franchise, it's as
if the life has been sucked out of it."
Sioux32
This
little sidebar of "MJ is coming back" is
getting TOO strange. Someone (TNT) gave Barkley a
mike and a podium. Now he can't stop saying stupid
things. I'm with Vescey on that one.
******
Go
Kings!!!!
*********
CWebb:
Shaq has taken out one of Vlade's teeth and sprained
Pollard's jaw. Where's the Kings' enforcer?
*********
Why
was Nick Anderson on the roster? I thought he might
be good for some thuggary (Fox) but that doesn't seem
to be the case.
I
still miss Mad Max. Christie has a lot of energy,
but Vernon would have hip checked Kobe into the 5th
row.
********
I
wonder if the stripers got Darth's message?
Ken
Time
to look ahead. Next year.
There
has been a really strong sense that Webber has played
his last game in a Kings uniform.
I
personally don't think it is actually as bad as it
sounds.
Look
at the stats, things like FG%, TO, FGA....
I
am never convinced that Webber is the kind of player
who can carry his team to win the champ.
The
emergence of Peja and Hedo are two really positive
signs. They are the future of the Kings.
Let's
face reality now. Hope Webber doesn't just walk. Hope
Geoff Petrie will get something decent in return.
The
Kings probably won't be a championship team in the
near future. But I am sure they will continue to be
a playoff team in years to come.
It
was the most magical, fantastic Kings season by far.
Fielding
Mellish
Either
at the point or 2 guard, Hedo will start next year.
He clinched that today......
Some
of the best trades are the ones not made, some of
the best free agent signings are the ones not made.
Webber making 15 mil and Peja only 7 doesn't quite
cut it...
BM
Well,
its been a fun year.
PJ
was right, it may take a couple of years for the Kings
to truly become title contenders. This is only the
first year the Kings have showed they can play defense.
There's room for improvement in that respect and in
rebounding.
I'm
not buying into CWebb leaving just yet. I'll believe
it when I see it.
The
better team won, congrats to the Lakers.
With
Derek Anderson out, I can't see SA getting past them,
but I'm rooting for the Spurs.
God
Save the Kings
Webber
would have been better off keeping his mouth shut
until after the season.
IF,
in response to the very FIRST TIME he was asked about
"next year" he had merely said, "I
will NOT discuss next year until AFTER the season
is over," it would have quieted the issue, and
it would not have plagued him all season long. He
fueled the fire as a result of HIS OWN comments when
it was INITIALLY asked of him.
I
had to laugh during today's halftime taped segment
when Webber commented that "he didnt CHOOSE to
come to Sacramento", and that made playing for | 
