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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/10983945p-11901263c.html
[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]A mover and shaker again
Chris Webber says his agility has returned and his pain has vanished.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, October 5, 2004
It's not too late to get into a Fantasy Sports League. Sign up here.
From head to toe, Chris Webber says he feels good, really good.
After three training-camp practices, many of his Kings teammates and coach Rick Adelman say the power forward is moving noticeably better than he was when last season ended.
I think he's doing better, a lot better than last year," Adelman said Sunday. "For him, too, I think these eight practices are going to benefit him so he feels how his legs are. And I think he's got to continue to push himself, especially pursuing the ball on the boards.
"His lateral movement is a lot better than last year. (He's) putting (the ball) on the floor better. He's getting some confidence where he pursues the ball better."
Webber said he's pain-free after experiencing much discomfort last season, when he missed the first 58 games - 50 as he rehabilitated his surgically repaired left knee and eight due to an NBA suspension. He averaged 18.7 points on a career-low 41.3 percent shooting in 23 games last season.
"I played last (season) in excruciating pain," Webber said Monday afternoon after a post-practice shooting session with personal coach Buzz Braman. "It really hurt to get into a defensive stance and to try to rebound. Making moves, anything was painful. Now, it's all good. There is no pain whatsoever."
Now that he no longer is hurting, Webber, 31, said he has more to show in camp. When point guard Mike Bibby said he had yet to see any explosive jumping ability from Webber other than during warmups, Webber said it was there.
"I'm saving it," he said. "I try some things just to know I can do them. But now, I can actually roll on a pick and roll. I can dribble and lay the ball in. I couldn't even lay the ball in last (season). My quickness is there now, though."
That was evident a few days ago, when Webber took a pass from Bibby at the high post. Darius Songaila was the defender, and on the previous possession, he had sneaked around a weak seal from Webber and stolen a poor Bibby pass.
This time, though, Webber, with his back to the basket, held off Songaila, took the pass from Bibby and spun to his right. A big step later, he reached back and backhanded an eye-opening, right-handed power dunk.
It was the kind of move Webber rarely attempted and completed maybe only once last season. As Webber said, he had problems establishing enough lower-body stability to make layups. But his showing in camp has fortified his confidence and made a big impression.
"Webb looks good," Bibby said. "He's moving a lot better. His shot is falling. I think everything is in place."
Guard Bobby Jackson, who like Webber has faced many health-related questions, said he is impressed by what he has seen.
"He looks good, real good, shooting, running the floor and moving a little bit better," Jackson said.
Jackson also came to Webber's defense.
"Once you get so much negative stuff and hear people talk about you so bad, you have to get tired of hearing that negative crap. And if he didn't make as much money as he does, people wouldn't be talking about him like that. He's a good guy, always plays hard and plays his heart out.
"He's got to be fed up listening to the criticism from people who don't really know him or what they're talking about. Me? I'd be fed up, and if I was him, I wouldn't talk to any (media) around here. Because regardless of what he says or what he does, somebody is going to have something negative to say or talk bad about him."
Over the summer, Webber vowed to show more leadership, and Songaila has noticed.
"He's taking a lot more responsibility as a leader," Songaila said. "He's a lot more verbal, and it's clear to see he is pushing himself to do whatever he can."
Upon his return last March 2, when the Kings were 43-15, Webber said he intentionally took a step back.
"I knew how well we were playing when I came back," he said. "A leader also knows when to shut the hell up, and it's also said a good leader also can follow. There were games when I went off on the team, but most of the time, I was quiet purposely."
The return of Webber's agility isn't the only thing that stands out, center Brad Miller said.
"He's playing with that confidence again," said Miller, who also is displaying an improved comfort level and more quickness. "It's not even about anything physical. He's not thinking. He's just out there doing things."
Miller said he hadn't seen the Webber of old before joining the Kings last season.
"I didn't watch Sac before I got here because I didn't know anybody who played here," Miller said. "I just knew he was putting up numbers and killing people."
With averages of 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists over 11 seasons, Webber looks ready to resume finishing off Kings opponents.
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@ sacbee.com.
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[font=verdana,geneva,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]A mover and shaker again
Chris Webber says his agility has returned and his pain has vanished.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Tuesday, October 5, 2004
It's not too late to get into a Fantasy Sports League. Sign up here.
From head to toe, Chris Webber says he feels good, really good.
After three training-camp practices, many of his Kings teammates and coach Rick Adelman say the power forward is moving noticeably better than he was when last season ended.
I think he's doing better, a lot better than last year," Adelman said Sunday. "For him, too, I think these eight practices are going to benefit him so he feels how his legs are. And I think he's got to continue to push himself, especially pursuing the ball on the boards.
"His lateral movement is a lot better than last year. (He's) putting (the ball) on the floor better. He's getting some confidence where he pursues the ball better."
Webber said he's pain-free after experiencing much discomfort last season, when he missed the first 58 games - 50 as he rehabilitated his surgically repaired left knee and eight due to an NBA suspension. He averaged 18.7 points on a career-low 41.3 percent shooting in 23 games last season.
"I played last (season) in excruciating pain," Webber said Monday afternoon after a post-practice shooting session with personal coach Buzz Braman. "It really hurt to get into a defensive stance and to try to rebound. Making moves, anything was painful. Now, it's all good. There is no pain whatsoever."
Now that he no longer is hurting, Webber, 31, said he has more to show in camp. When point guard Mike Bibby said he had yet to see any explosive jumping ability from Webber other than during warmups, Webber said it was there.
"I'm saving it," he said. "I try some things just to know I can do them. But now, I can actually roll on a pick and roll. I can dribble and lay the ball in. I couldn't even lay the ball in last (season). My quickness is there now, though."
That was evident a few days ago, when Webber took a pass from Bibby at the high post. Darius Songaila was the defender, and on the previous possession, he had sneaked around a weak seal from Webber and stolen a poor Bibby pass.
This time, though, Webber, with his back to the basket, held off Songaila, took the pass from Bibby and spun to his right. A big step later, he reached back and backhanded an eye-opening, right-handed power dunk.
It was the kind of move Webber rarely attempted and completed maybe only once last season. As Webber said, he had problems establishing enough lower-body stability to make layups. But his showing in camp has fortified his confidence and made a big impression.
"Webb looks good," Bibby said. "He's moving a lot better. His shot is falling. I think everything is in place."
Guard Bobby Jackson, who like Webber has faced many health-related questions, said he is impressed by what he has seen.
"He looks good, real good, shooting, running the floor and moving a little bit better," Jackson said.
Jackson also came to Webber's defense.
"Once you get so much negative stuff and hear people talk about you so bad, you have to get tired of hearing that negative crap. And if he didn't make as much money as he does, people wouldn't be talking about him like that. He's a good guy, always plays hard and plays his heart out.
"He's got to be fed up listening to the criticism from people who don't really know him or what they're talking about. Me? I'd be fed up, and if I was him, I wouldn't talk to any (media) around here. Because regardless of what he says or what he does, somebody is going to have something negative to say or talk bad about him."
Over the summer, Webber vowed to show more leadership, and Songaila has noticed.
"He's taking a lot more responsibility as a leader," Songaila said. "He's a lot more verbal, and it's clear to see he is pushing himself to do whatever he can."
Upon his return last March 2, when the Kings were 43-15, Webber said he intentionally took a step back.
"I knew how well we were playing when I came back," he said. "A leader also knows when to shut the hell up, and it's also said a good leader also can follow. There were games when I went off on the team, but most of the time, I was quiet purposely."
The return of Webber's agility isn't the only thing that stands out, center Brad Miller said.
"He's playing with that confidence again," said Miller, who also is displaying an improved comfort level and more quickness. "It's not even about anything physical. He's not thinking. He's just out there doing things."
Miller said he hadn't seen the Webber of old before joining the Kings last season.
"I didn't watch Sac before I got here because I didn't know anybody who played here," Miller said. "I just knew he was putting up numbers and killing people."
With averages of 22 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists over 11 seasons, Webber looks ready to resume finishing off Kings opponents.
About the Writer
---------------------------
The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@ sacbee.com.
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