Rumor: Chris Webber to the Warriors by Tuesday 1/29/08

by Atma Brother ONE on Jan 28, 2008 1:19 AM PST in Rumors

Comin' at ya by Tuesday?

1, 2, 3... JUMP!

Via Marc Stein of ESPN.com:

Chris Webber's unlikely but fast-moving return to the Golden State Warriors is on course to be completed by Tuesday, according to sources close to the negotiations.

Barring an unexpected change of heart, sources said, Webber will accept the invitation from former coach Don Nelson and former teammate Chris Mullin to come back to the team with whom he won NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1994, only for Webber to force a trade to Washington some six months later when his prickly relationship with Nelson collapsed.

It gets even more shocking [AP]:

"I hope that it happens to be quite honest with you," Nelson said Sunday before the Warriors hosted the New York Knicks. "I think our team needs it."

Marinate on that one for a minute (or maybe even an hour!). Nellie hopes Webber joins his Warriors 2.0. Nellie thinks his team needs Webber.

I thought I had seen it all when the Warriors shocked the world and upset the Mavs last spring, but this... this... this is spiritual healing my fellow longtime Warrior junkies.

Definitely flip back to for my thoughts and the grand collective of passion and intelligence from the GSoM community in Rumor: Warriors "Seriously Interested" in Chris Webber

Also thanks to GSoM reader psclavos for putting this up in a diary as soon as it hit the net.

What are the chances that PJ and Spree reunite on the Warriors in the next year or two?

Enjoy these goodies from the C-WorldWideWebber:

Don Nelson lengthy Q & A: Making his case for Webber [Talking Points]
Webber to Warriors? Matt Barnes approves. [Fear the Beard]
Nellie embracing concept of Webber's return [Mercury]
Big man emerges for Warriors [Contra Costa Times]
Get ready for the Nellie-Webber circus [SFGate]
Players are keen on Webber: His relationship with Nelson might be repaired [SFGate]
Nelson puts it plain - team direly needs Webber [SFGate]
Webber reunion could go all wrong [SFGate]
Webber to Golden State? It Looks Likely [FanHouse-AOL]
Clock ticking on Artest meltdown [ChicagoSports.com]

99% of rumors never happen, but if this one happens... um, you saw the picture above.

0 recs | Comment 37 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

i for one

am excited

by djchuckdeez on Jan 28, 2008 2:13 AM PST 0 recs

hm....

Think a hidden reason to bringing on C-Webb is to mentor Wright and maybe Biedrins a little bit?

Cause other than that, I really find it hard to believe that C-Webb can help us at all on the floor. Old guards might still have their step but old big men do not.

by gunwing54 on Jan 28, 2008 3:14 AM PST 0 recs

unfortunate

I posted this in the "interested" post:

It saddens me to see so many people in favor of Chris Webber. We need low post help and rebounding. Chris Webber does neither. I don't care if he comes to the team for free; I don't want the tallest guy on the floor taking elbow jumpers. No. No. No.

This is from rotoworld, to give the fans and the editors of GSOM an idea of what we'd be getting.

Former Sixers coach Jim O'Brien (now with the Pacers) ripped Chris Webber on Monday saying "He clearly was toward the end of his career" when the Sixers acquired him near the 2005 trade deadline.
O'Brien said he wanted to actively use Webber in the low post at the time to open up shots for 3-point threat Kyle Korver. "He said, 'Coach, I don't do the low-post thing anymore,'" O'Brien recalled. "We just made a major trade to bring in this (6-foot-10) guy and he said, 'No.' I said, 'Yes, you do.'" Webber and O'Brien never got along and this story solidfies the thought that Webber won't have too much fantasy value once he signs with another team this season.
It may end with a comment of "fantasy value," but the point remains.

It is sad day for me today.

by GameSix on Jan 28, 2008 6:59 AM PST 0 recs

Webber really is

a cancer

by Zig on Jan 28, 2008 10:32 PM PST up 0 recs

No problem...

No problem Atama. I live in Saratoga, CA but go to college in Georgia right now and keep up with my Dubs via the League Pass and haven't missed a game yet. Always my pleasure to help out the Warrior Nation 2500 miles away!

by psclavos on Jan 28, 2008 7:16 AM PST 0 recs

If C-Webb is coming back to town...

by Tony.psd on Jan 28, 2008 8:23 AM PST 0 recs

I don't want him on my team

This is the same guy that help destroy my team and I always have said and always will he will never win a championship plus he's a wimp even when he tries to look hard this guy always looked as though he was crying. I don't want him, who are we going to get rid of, this team is fine the way it is. All we have to do is hope that Nelson figures out that instead of playing Jackson for 40 min a game he could sub wright and O'bryant to help us out on the glass and interior D.

It's all about the killer cross-over baby!

by warriorsfiend on Jan 28, 2008 8:48 AM PST 0 recs

don't lie....

You know you miss CWebb. I mean, everywhere that guy goes, championships follow... ;)

by Snesley Wipes on Jan 28, 2008 1:22 PM PST up 0 recs

At least. . .

we all got tickets for Gsom night 3. So we'll be there for his possible "monumental" debut. I'm really just flabbergasted at this moment brought to us by C.W.

by warriorgirl on Jan 28, 2008 8:56 AM PST 0 recs

happy? not happy.

i guess i'll be the one starting the betting pool on whether he wrecks our franchise for another dozen years. i understand time, old wounds, etc., but i also CLEARLY recall how absolutely this man devastated this entire organization for years and years and years and years. i remember where i was and what i was doing (lower haight, lots of beer) like older folks remember kennedy getting shot. i have hated chris webber far too long to cheer for him now.

and what does he bring exactly? unless he has decided to change not only his game but his entire personality and identity then what are we doing here? we know he hasn't changed really all that much, to see how he operated on both the pistons and the sixers. and as others have eloquently argued, this is not the big man this team needs.

the one time i was truly impressed by c-webb was in the great wcf series against la when he took it upon himself in the final game (it was the final game, wasn't it?) to single-handedly shut shaq down and he did it. he was extraordinary. he didn't whine, he didn't flop. he just straight up shut the big man down. that was the only time i've ever liked him, and he's physically incapable of that kind of performance now.

are we into some kind of nelson "this is your life" retrospective now? i thought we cheered for a basketball team, not a nostalgic gesture.

wait, wait. i know. let's just put the whole run-tmc crew on the floor and relive 1995 all over again.

by Ormolov on Jan 28, 2008 8:58 AM PST 0 recs

Money issue.

The Warriors realize they need a big man if they want to ensure a playoff spot but aren't willing to take in too much salary to get one.
The only thing I like about the move being made now is if it does not work out, they still have some time to make a move.
Hopefully Webber does what is asked of him and provides the Warriors with a big man option off the bench since our rookies and POB aren't going to receive the time of day.

by tangel29 on Jan 28, 2008 9:00 AM PST 0 recs

so Watson gives up #4? make him pay CJ...

by 321 IN n OUT on Jan 28, 2008 9:07 AM PST 0 recs

He Should wear

#94, as in the last time he was with us.

My pictures never show up here, so this is my new Signature

by sloth11 on Jan 28, 2008 12:24 PM PST up 0 recs

Friday is going to be interesting

I think it might be the first time ever that a player on the home team gets booed while a player on the other team gets applause.

Give me Ron Ron, or give me death!

by sup3rk1ng on Jan 28, 2008 9:10 AM PST 0 recs

Management

makes retarded trades and drafts busts that leads to a dozen years of woefulness, not disgruntled power forwards.

Let's not dwell on the past and think about how he could improve our team. He might not have legs but he's still got experience and sharp passing still hopefully.

by misterjennings on Jan 28, 2008 9:14 AM PST 0 recs

Pietrus and POB whispers...

Could make an interesting playoff push in March/April

by streetballer on Jan 28, 2008 9:46 AM PST up 0 recs

Really?

I'll be surprised if they find someone who wants to give up anything of substance for those two.

Can you share any details?

by olympicmike on Jan 28, 2008 1:56 PM PST up 0 recs

In Nellie I Trust

I am uneasy about this because Webb seems just so done. But he can still make shots and know how to pass the ball from the high post.

Defensively? Last year he looked so done; creaky knees. But the W's are not going to get any worse defensively (how about last night? Getting torched by Renaldo Balkman down the lane? Quentin Richardson inside? UGLY).

I think you can forget about 1994, that was a long time ago and Nellie and Webb are so much older now (believe me, I'm 44 and 13 years is a long time, and if you are not going to let that go, your life has not progressed much). I trust Nellie.

Nothing better than "The City".

by philsmith75 on Jan 28, 2008 9:52 AM PST 0 recs

so hating on him lol XD

he might actually be good

by 8monta on Jan 28, 2008 9:55 AM PST 0 recs

so i got to thinking

who is our secondary ball handler and passer? s-jax right? but his turn over ration is really high. I think when c-web has the ball, it is gonna open up the court bit more. And beans is gonna be delighted when c-web is on court cozz he get a lot of dishes. S-jax to beans! Baron to beans! C-web to beans!

brb, going to ORACLE

by warrior510 on Jan 28, 2008 10:08 AM PST 0 recs

13 years too late..

we need a big man not a big name! but im willing to take a chance and see how it would work out.

win or lose... playoffs or lottery... i gotta luv them dubz! GSW 4 Life!!!

by gogomaplata on Jan 28, 2008 10:11 AM PST 0 recs

Need a big man?

Take a flyer on Chris Andersen. Cheap, still athletic, still entertaining .. oh - and his knees are still fully functional.

He'll fit right in with the rest of these outcasts and - GASP! - actually will crash the boards next to Biedrins.

Won't happen. Just thinking out loud.

by pree on Jan 28, 2008 10:44 AM PST 0 recs

availability?

Anderson is under someone else's control until after the trading deadline isn't he?

until getting hurt yesterday, Varejo (Clev) was my dark horse for a trade ...

by hardcore on Jan 28, 2008 10:51 AM PST up 0 recs

I'm pretty sure...

that Varejao couldn't have been traded. You can't trade someone until so many months after a contract was signed, and since he signed late....

by kinetic on Jan 28, 2008 12:48 PM PST up 0 recs

No Available

Don't think Varejao can be traded this year because he signed too late. It's a weird provision in the CBA and I can't remember what it is. I'll look for it later.

Andersen is controlled by the Hornets unless they deicde to let him go, provided that he is reinstated.

by pree on Jan 28, 2008 3:20 PM PST up 0 recs

Uh

the dude doesn't try all game, and doesn't contribute much. When I saw him play for the Hornets a couple years ago, the fans loved him because he could dunk. Yep, that's it. He'd rebound occasionally, but his defense was bad an all he cared about was his fantasic dunk that would electrify the crowd and the PA system would play "Wild Thing". He's supposed to be "energy" off of the bench and he only tries half the time? Puh-leaze. Alos, don't forget that he was kicked out of the league due to drugs. We've already got Stephen Jackson, do we really need more controversy? And no, this isn't the "great teammate but emotional" that Jackson is, he's the lazy guy.

NO.

Tony.psd = Da Man

http://adonalobsessed.blogspot.com/

by Zorgon on Jan 28, 2008 4:03 PM PST up 0 recs

the question is...

...will c-webb help them get to and compete in the playoffs this year? I don't see how...plus we have several months until then...he is old, cold & rusty...how will he run & gun with them and realistically not obtain some sort of injury?

I don't like it....no sir...as Gamesix said above...it's a sad day

We Know.

by saraluvsbaron on Jan 28, 2008 11:06 AM PST 0 recs

In reply

The Warriors don't seem to have a problem when they are able to run and gun as you so aptly put it. The problem is when they become stagnant and/or are forced to play a half-court game. Having a post passer, other than Baron will greatly help this team not only down the stretch but especially in the playoffs. The hope is that CW has been keeping in some sort of shape in hopes of catching on with a team midseason (which from all reports he has) not whether he is in run and gun shape. I doubt we will see CW in the game when we are going small and trying to run teams off of the court - the problem as it stands now is that given the current roster, Nellie feels he has no other choice but to go small all the time.

by triplesix on Jan 28, 2008 11:53 AM PST up 0 recs

chris webber

i hate to see the webber curse come back man

we spent too many years in the slumps to have it all come back to haunt us...

are we giving anyone up for this?

whats the big loss if we take him and he doesn't turn out to be what we want?!

by itzlilgx23 on Jan 28, 2008 11:22 AM PST 0 recs

To all the malcontents...

Chris Webber can help this team 21.3ppg 9.7rpg 5.5apg in 04-05 and 20.2ppg 9.9rpg 3.4apg in 05-06. Both years on a surgically repaired knee. As Chris Mullin said, we don't need the Chris Webber of old, but he's more than capable of giving the second unit some cohesion off the bench and running the offense through him instead of Jackson - which in case anybody hasn't been watching - doesn't work. I wouldn't be surprised, if in typical Nellie's backward basketball, style this is used to give Baron some rest. And I still don't understand why people think that Brandon Wright is some sort of inside presence who can rebound and has a post game?? it's just not a fact so stop writing how increasing his playing time is going to shore up our inside.

by triplesix on Jan 28, 2008 11:46 AM PST 0 recs

I really don't like this signing

A 34yo Chris Webber with creaky knees in a uptempo offense. I just don't see the fit. But if he can contribute anything at all, that would already be more than what we're getting out of Troy Hudson who I'm assuming is going to be waived. What I'm worried about is him being a cancer and screwing up team chemistry. I hope this doesn't come back to haunt us for another decade.

by nautica on Jan 28, 2008 11:57 AM PST 0 recs

Gents

Excellent blog. I always try to read it when I can. Key word can. That being said the Picture up top is an excellent representation of Webber returning to the Dubs. For hilarity sake I hope it happens. Webber on a run n gun team is quite interesting I must say.

At least the dubs are 80 miles down the road.

by pookeyguru on Jan 28, 2008 1:04 PM PST 0 recs

15-20 minutes a night

to spell AB and allow TMNT to play more 4 where he belongs. Also, C-Webb in for AB when defensive minded teams force us into a half court game.

Yeah, he might not have knees but a stationary C-Webb can still hold space down low and command some sort of defensive attention.

Sure Wright and POB have potential and makes more sense as mobile bigs that can run the floor. But on the other end of the floor they will get abused by a guy like Brian Skinner.

I can see it working out with Monta/Baron and him running an efficient elbow pick and pop when the game slows down.

Everyone knows and has pointed out that our glaring need is a mobile big that plays interior defense. That sounds like DJ Bengay to me. That's what you have to usually sacrifice for, you get bad hands and no offensive moves. He didn't win any games for us, so now he's a Faker.

To get a big that can play, we'd have to give up Monta, and since he's been our catalyst for the fast break, it's not going to happen. C-Webb will be more than adequate coming off the bench to provide our stagnant half court offense with a proven weapon. Not to mention we're getting him for under a million due to proration.

For some reason, Kurt Thomas and his overpaid creaky joints would be welcome to some of you C-Webb booers. I'm all for paying 1/7th of Thomas and getting maybe slightly less than eating up Crazy Eye's contract.

by misterjennings on Jan 28, 2008 2:31 PM PST 0 recs

I don't get it...

Why does a team that is 2nd in PPG in the league feel they need a player whose only real value is on the offensive end? I think most of us are fully aware of the value of having a good passing big man in the post, but can Webber have any positive impact on defense? He's slow, he's got bad knees, he can't jump anymore, he's not a shot blocker, and he's not a great rebounder. Stick him on a defensive minded team like Detroit, and his inabilities at the defensive end can be masked and he can facilitate ball movement on a sometimes offensively challenged team, but on a team like the W's, I can't imagine C-Webb really improving the problems that plague this team.

I don't really care about what happened in 1994, and it's barely relevant today (unless you are in the media and need a story to write). I understand this is low-to-medium risk, low-to-medium reward, but there are better options for the long term.

Now it's tough to second guess Nellie when he sees these guys in practice daily, but... I've seen Brandan Wright do nothing to warrant his spot on the bench, POB's sporadic and random minutes cannot possibly be improving his abilities or trade value, and in the 4 minutes I've seen Kosta, I at least wanted another 4 minutes. None of these guys are truly the answer (IMO a player with the skill set of an Al Horford would be the answer), but I cannot understand barely playing any of them in games against the Knicks, Bucks, T-Wolves, etc. These players might hurt the W's in the short term, but could prove very, very useful come playoff time after they've had some time and minutes to adjust to the NBA game. While arguing for more minutes for the current crop of centers may not seem relevant to picking up C-Webb, the two are indeed deeply intertwined; I don't believe you can make a real call on Webber until seeing more minutes from the young big men.

by UncleCliffy on Jan 28, 2008 3:41 PM PST 0 recs