Kings notes: N.Y. media stir over Webber

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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/11943269p-12830069c.html

Kings notes: N.Y. media stir over Webber



By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, January 6, 2005


TORONTO - It's an annual occurrence for Chris Webber.



The Kings go to New York, and the big-man-starved media want to talk about possibly trading Webber to the Knicks. Never mind that Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie would reject any Knicks package that would work financially.



Ask Webber how he would feel about playing in New York, and he knows whatever he says likely is going to be taken any number of ways, except in a good way for him.

"That puts you in a tough position," he said, "because all I think about is Sacramento. That's where I want to win a championship. That's who I've been with, and that's who is my family.

"So to hear that someone is interested in trading for you or trading you, you kind of just sit back, and it kind of shocks you.

"Besides that, I didn't give it much thought."

Raptors into post-Carter syndrome - After trading the face of its franchise, Vince Carter, to New Jersey on Dec. 17, Toronto is moving forward behind 20-year-old Chris Bosh.

The quick, second-year forward was impressive Wednesday in leading the Raptors to their fifth consecutive home victory.

Coach Sam Mitchell said Bosh should prepare for increased responsibility.

"Hopefully, I think he understands that we are trying to run some things through him and get him the ball in situations that he's been successful in," Mitchell said.

"For us to be successful, Chris has to continue to grow as a player. You know he still makes some mistakes, but he tries; he works hard.

"The scoring is great, but I'm so impressed with his rebounding and his toughness. He's been putting a lot of extra time in, and it's been paying off."

Et cetera - Webber has had his ups and downs in the second nights of back-to-back games. He grabbed six rebounds in the first quarter Wednesday but finished with only seven. * The Kings lost for the first time in 17 games in which they outshot their opponent. They barely outshot the Raptors 39.5 percent to 39.1 percent.
 
LMM said:
Ask Webber how he would feel about playing in New York, and he knows whatever he says likely is going to be taken any number of ways, except in a good way for him.

"That puts you in a tough position," he said, "because all I think about is Sacramento. That's where I want to win a championship. That's who I've been with, and that's who is my family..."

I wonder how that will be spun?

Chris Webber remains an enigma in the minds of some who seem to try and read much, much more into his comments than I believe has ever been there.

He wants to win a championship; he wants to play with other players who want to win a championship. He wants to help the team by doing as well as he possibly can across the board. The Sacramento Kings are his family, and he hopes he's earned the right to retire as a Sacramento King.

There really isn't any hidden agenda in any of that stuff.
 
Chris Webber has many faults like all of us. You can say he is a "prima donna", you can crack that "he lacks sensible judgement" and other things. You can not say that Chris Webber is not loyal. I think he is even loyal to the fans, even though we occasionally tend to boo our own. And I love Peja Stojakovic as well as I do Webber. But I wish I could hear Peja say that to squash all of the speculation.
 
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