burekijogurt
Starter
I found this on the bleachermob, by a poster named Carmichael Dave. I tought it was a good story and that people here would appreciate it:
So starts the first day of the rest of the season....I consider the Philly game the first real game after the trade. I think if we had the 3 newbies for depth against Dallas, we win by 10. Imagine if we had a decent Peja in either game.....
What an unbelievably emotional week. It has amazed me the gamut run on emotion towards Chris Webber. I truly believe that Sacramento Kings fans are the most passionate, opinionated, and knowledgable fans in the country. Whatever you may feel about Webb, every possible angle was expressed, and done very well for the most part.
I for one, was absolutely heartbroken. I was in awe of the man when he first came to Sacramento, bringing a star and presence that this city has never felt. Having the opportunity to work with him over the past few years, taught me even more. Mainly: the persona he reflected over the TV screen and radio airwaves did not even come close to doing the man justice. He was for real and then some.
I had the pleasure recently of attending a "pre" Grand Opening of his art exhibit at the Crocker Gallery. There was a sprinkling of media, plus about 30 kids from the local Boys and Girls Club in attendance. Watching Chris with these kids, as he spoke to them and made them feel immediately at ease was amazing.
These kids were scared to death. We think the guy is larger than life sometimes, to those kids, he literally was. The first question he asked was to a little girl in the front row:
Chris "What's your name?"
Little Girl "LaTanya"
Chris "What a pretty name! I love unique names. (in a whisper) "My real name is Mayce....but none of the adults call me that....but......you can if you want"
With a little wit and a flash of that smile, every kid's hand shot up, now at ease and eager to learn from the man. Then, with no media in tow to intimidate the kids, Chris proceeded to take them on a private, 45 minute tour.
His personality was magic. Smart, polite, engaging, generous, I can go on and on. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him at the end of the day in a small downstairs library, turning on a tape recorder, and doing an amazing interview.
Not amazing because I had anything to do with it. Amazing because we never broached the subject of basketball. Race, religion, fame, racism, history, and family were just a few of the subjects. Compared to most if not all of the players I have spoken to in the past, there was simply no comparison.
The city of Sacramento may in fact never have a personality such as Chris Webber's again.....
That being said.......
So starts the first day of the rest of the season....I consider the Philly game the first real game after the trade. I think if we had the 3 newbies for depth against Dallas, we win by 10. Imagine if we had a decent Peja in either game.....
What an unbelievably emotional week. It has amazed me the gamut run on emotion towards Chris Webber. I truly believe that Sacramento Kings fans are the most passionate, opinionated, and knowledgable fans in the country. Whatever you may feel about Webb, every possible angle was expressed, and done very well for the most part.
I for one, was absolutely heartbroken. I was in awe of the man when he first came to Sacramento, bringing a star and presence that this city has never felt. Having the opportunity to work with him over the past few years, taught me even more. Mainly: the persona he reflected over the TV screen and radio airwaves did not even come close to doing the man justice. He was for real and then some.
I had the pleasure recently of attending a "pre" Grand Opening of his art exhibit at the Crocker Gallery. There was a sprinkling of media, plus about 30 kids from the local Boys and Girls Club in attendance. Watching Chris with these kids, as he spoke to them and made them feel immediately at ease was amazing.
These kids were scared to death. We think the guy is larger than life sometimes, to those kids, he literally was. The first question he asked was to a little girl in the front row:
Chris "What's your name?"
Little Girl "LaTanya"
Chris "What a pretty name! I love unique names. (in a whisper) "My real name is Mayce....but none of the adults call me that....but......you can if you want"
With a little wit and a flash of that smile, every kid's hand shot up, now at ease and eager to learn from the man. Then, with no media in tow to intimidate the kids, Chris proceeded to take them on a private, 45 minute tour.
His personality was magic. Smart, polite, engaging, generous, I can go on and on. I had the pleasure of sitting down with him at the end of the day in a small downstairs library, turning on a tape recorder, and doing an amazing interview.
Not amazing because I had anything to do with it. Amazing because we never broached the subject of basketball. Race, religion, fame, racism, history, and family were just a few of the subjects. Compared to most if not all of the players I have spoken to in the past, there was simply no comparison.
The city of Sacramento may in fact never have a personality such as Chris Webber's again.....
That being said.......
I know that change has to happen, and I know the team will be fine, but Webber was truely one of a kind. He has a big heart, and I know a piece of it stayed in Sacramento.
