RE: The Case Against C-Webb

[OzerskyJA <OzerskyJA@cmog.org>]

Look, dude, you don't need to put me down.  I'm just saying that
Weber isn't the guy you build a team around.  He's got some nice
all around skills, and now that he has finally put it together, he is a 
very tough customer on the block (as is Antoine) and a stupendous 
rebounder and above-average defender as well.  (hence his superiority 
to Antoine at this stage of their careers -- remember, Weber, has four 
or five years on Twon.)  But even in Sacramento, Weber's success has 
a lot to do with playing alongside a top ten center, an amazing point guard,

a singular 3 man in Corliss Williamson, etc. etc.  On top of which he
remains 
a flake and a pothead.  The other players I mentioned, whatever stage of
their
 career they happen to be at, are players whom an entire team dynamic 
revolves around:  Karl Malone's post play (truly unstoppable, unlike
C-Webb), 
Dikembe Mutumbo's shotblocking and rebounding, which changes the entire
complexion of his team's defense; Zo's offense and defense; Payton and
Kidd's 
ability to dominate an entire defense with scoring and passing.  These guys
are 
true difference makers, and I just don't see Weber being that.  I don't
think most 
NBA players or coaches do, either.  Webb isn't the kind of player who can 
carry a team on his shoulders; and that has as much to do with personality
as 
t does with talent.  He's not a truly dominant scorer, like Kobe; nor a
leader
 like Kevin Garnett.  Nor for that matter does he even have the competitive 
fire of our own Antoine Walker, although he's certainly as competitive as
the 
next guy.  I like him as a player; I think he's an all-star; I would trade
Antoine 
for him straight-up if I could, if only for the short term benefits.  But I
don't put
him in the top echelon of NBA players.  Period.



> Josh Ozersky	
> Marketing Communications Specialist 
> Corning Museum of Glass
> 
> 	-----Original Message-----
> 	From:	Michael Griffin [SMTP:mgriffin@rillc.com]
> 	Sent:	Tuesday, July 25, 2000 12:03 PM
> 	To:	OzerskyJA; Celtics@igtc.com
> 	Subject:	RE: Today's Thoughts.
> 
> 	Perhaps my knowledge is inferior to this board but I don't agree
> with that
> 	assessment at all.  If you, as a GM, would actually prefer
> Mutumbo?!,
> 	Malone?!(clearly downside of career), Payton, Kidd, or Zo over
> Webber - then
> 	there isn't any need to have much of a discussion.  I'll give you
> Duncan and
> 	Shaq.  Kobe is rising, I'd put Webber right there with KG and over
> Hill.
> 
> 	Walker and Webber are NOT close talent-wise.  Webber is a warrior
> down low
> 	and unstoppable in the post.  Pierce "may" also be rising but he
> plays a
> 	position that is replaceable.  Just because Pitino gave Walker the
> max
> 	doesn't mean he is on-par talent wise with other players receiving
> the max.
> 	Walker may yet fulfill his potential but Webber has led Sacramento
> to the
> 	playoffs two years in a row when he is basically the only option
> there.
> 	Webber is doing for Sacramento what Walker should have done for two
> years in
> 	a row for Boston.
> 
> 	I guess I think Webber is indeed a franchise player and if he were a
> free
> 	agent he'd be more coveted than anyone in this year's group
> excluding
> 	Duncan.
> 
> 	Let's take a poll here.  Would you classify Webber as a Franchise
> player or
> 	not?  I mean rumor or not, people have actually printed a sign and
> trade
> 	with Indiana - Walker for Croshere.  Webber and Croshere are two
> words that
> 	would NEVER be in the same sentence.
> 
> 	> -----Original Message-----
> 	> From: OzerskyJA [mailto:OzerskyJA@cmog.org]
> 	> Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 6:11 AM
> 	> To: 'mgriffin@rillc.com'; Celtics@igtc.com
> 	> Subject: RE: Today's Thoughts.
>