http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12433751p-13290010c.html
Arco game report: Webber is unfazed by trade rumors
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Every year, it's Chris Webber.
Headed here or there via trade, it's not really an NBA season unless the Kings forward's name is dropped a dozen or so times, regardless of rumor merit.
"I've heard it so much over the years," Webber said Tuesday night. "I didn't hear that I was coming to Sacramento. (Now) I don't want to trade this for the world."
And why is his name always attached to something?
"Why is it?" he wondered. "Some old lady could fall on the street, and I did it. It gets very old.
"When this type of thing happened before (earlier in my career), I would become an introvert. It became a burden. As you get older, you learn to laugh at it. Not making the All-Star team (this season), hearing about chemistry problems, you laugh. I know I still believe in us."
Webber was plenty believable as a player against the Atlanta Hawks, recording 30 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Stepping up
When Matt Barnes starts in place of Peja Stojakovic, out because a sore hamstring Tuesday, he isn't asked to become Peja - just a pest.
Against Atlanta, Barnes hustled for 10 points and 10 rebounds, his first double double of the season.
And should Stojakovic not be ready for the six-game road trip?
"I'll be ready," said Barnes, a former Del Campo High School star. "I know what I have to do to help this team."
Et cetera
Stojakovic said after Monday night's practice that he is "happy" in Sacramento and doesn't have any say or control in whether he is traded.
* Freshly minted Slam Dunk Champion Josh Smith of Atlanta had a career-high 19 points, bettering the rookie's previous high by three, also against the Kings.
* Former Kings guards Mike Woodson and Larry Drew have been reunited as Atlanta coaches, with Woodson the head and Drew the assistant. They recalled their lone campaign in Sacramento 20 seasons ago as mutually "magical."
* The Kings are shooting 29 percent from three-point range without Stojakovic in the lineup and 38 percent when he plays. The Kings made 25 percent Tuesday. * After shooting 32 percent in the previous three games, Webber made 10 of 20 from the field in recording his fifth game of 30 or more points.
Arco game report: Webber is unfazed by trade rumors
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Every year, it's Chris Webber.
Headed here or there via trade, it's not really an NBA season unless the Kings forward's name is dropped a dozen or so times, regardless of rumor merit.
"I've heard it so much over the years," Webber said Tuesday night. "I didn't hear that I was coming to Sacramento. (Now) I don't want to trade this for the world."
And why is his name always attached to something?
"Why is it?" he wondered. "Some old lady could fall on the street, and I did it. It gets very old.
"When this type of thing happened before (earlier in my career), I would become an introvert. It became a burden. As you get older, you learn to laugh at it. Not making the All-Star team (this season), hearing about chemistry problems, you laugh. I know I still believe in us."
Webber was plenty believable as a player against the Atlanta Hawks, recording 30 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Stepping up
When Matt Barnes starts in place of Peja Stojakovic, out because a sore hamstring Tuesday, he isn't asked to become Peja - just a pest.
Against Atlanta, Barnes hustled for 10 points and 10 rebounds, his first double double of the season.
And should Stojakovic not be ready for the six-game road trip?
"I'll be ready," said Barnes, a former Del Campo High School star. "I know what I have to do to help this team."
Et cetera
Stojakovic said after Monday night's practice that he is "happy" in Sacramento and doesn't have any say or control in whether he is traded.
* Freshly minted Slam Dunk Champion Josh Smith of Atlanta had a career-high 19 points, bettering the rookie's previous high by three, also against the Kings.
* Former Kings guards Mike Woodson and Larry Drew have been reunited as Atlanta coaches, with Woodson the head and Drew the assistant. They recalled their lone campaign in Sacramento 20 seasons ago as mutually "magical."
* The Kings are shooting 29 percent from three-point range without Stojakovic in the lineup and 38 percent when he plays. The Kings made 25 percent Tuesday. * After shooting 32 percent in the previous three games, Webber made 10 of 20 from the field in recording his fifth game of 30 or more points.
