NBA BEAT - THEY WERE ROBBED OF AN NBA TITLE

Chris Webber gave it his all - NBA photo Chris Webber made his last stand without winning an NBA title - NBA photo Chris Webber as a rookie - Mixi Basket photo Shaq attacks Kings Vlade Divac and basket - NBA NBA photo - Rocky Widner

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

When you think about the outcome of NBA referee Tim Donaghy receiving only a few months for fixing NBA games it pales by contrast those players affected by his greed and misdeeds who toiled years and years in the league to win an NBA title. They had great NBA careers but left the game without wearing an NBA title ring. The most notably affected are Chris Webber, Alan Iverson and Reggie Miller. This is the first of a three part series.

Monday November 3, 2008

CHRIS WEBBER AFTER 15 NBA SEASONS NO TITLE NO RING

As they say it ain't over till it's over and for Chris Webber he called it quits on his NBA career when he announced his retirement near the end of last season. After toiling 15 years in the league for Chris Webber…. IT'S OVER. His knee injuries took its toll on a player that could be a Hall of Fame nominee.

The irony being that former NBA referee Tim Donaghy received only 15 months in a Florida prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and transmitting wagering information across state lines. A fixed games controversy exploded throughout the NBA with the most controversial being the Western Conference playoff series in 2002 where unbelievable calls were made and the end result was the Kings were robbed of going to the finals after losing the series in seven games.

What stood out the most were games 6 and 7 which the Lakers won after the Kings had a 3-2 series lead. With such a result as the Donaghy conviction you would think that something would be done to correct the inequities where the Lakers with inferior teams won three straight NBA titles (2000, 2001 & 2002).

In the Olympics gold medals were returned and Marion Jones who also served time in prison for cheating. Yes it was for cheating with drugs but cheating is cheating with either gambling or drugs. When Laker Derek Fisher was asked during last seasons playoffs about the matter he said he wasn't going to give his championship rings back.

Though Donaghy said other refs were involved and it's hard to believe that they were not. How could only one ref control the outcome of so many questionable calls in games? The real tragedy of it all is that so many great players will join Charles Barkley as having great careers without winning an NBA title. Alan Iverson and Reggie Miller. All had great careers but were not members of an NBA title winning team. We will cover their careers in our series but now the spotlight is on Webber.

After being drafted first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1993 NBA draft he was traded to the Golden State Warriors. It was a disappointment for Webber who was looking forward to teaming up with Shaquille O'Neal. Though he had an impressive rookie season averaging 17.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg. he had communication problems with coach Don Nelson.

I wrote a story about Webber during that time. He was friendly and transparent regarding the questions I asked particularly his disappointment of being traded to the Warriors and not having the opportunity to play with the Magic and team up with Shaq. But with one question I had the feeling that I was treading on dangerous ground when I asked about his relationship with Nelson.

Webber sidestepped the query and I later found out why, the conflict was Nelson wanted to make Webber a center. Webber's was known for his superb passing ability and good ball handling skills for someone his size at 6'10" (2.08 m) tall but he also disliked playing a substantial amount of time at center, given Nelson's propensity towards smaller, faster line ups. Webber had the same problem in college but Juwon Howard layed the center position though being only 6"9" thus an inch smaller than Webber.

After playing just one season with the Warriors, Webber was traded to the Washington Bullets. He continued to have strong seasons during his four years there. Then a big trade to the Sacramento Kings was made whereupon he became the integral part of a team in development and teamed with Vlade Divac. By the time they reached their pinnacle and that infamous series with the Lakers the squad included Predrag Stojakovic, Mike Bibby, Doug Christie, Divac, Bobby Jackson, Hidayet Turkoglu and Scott Pollard. They were solid and deep with talent off the bench. That season the Kings finished first in the Pacific Division with the league best overall record of 61-21.

After two more season with the Kings Webber was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers where he spent two half season and one full season. Injuries took its toll and his productivity declined. The Sixers waved him January 11, 2007. He was picked up by the Detroit Pistons as a free agent January 16, 2007. After a half season there the Pistons chose not to resign him.

After missing the first half of last season the Golden State Warriors signed Webber on January 29, 2008 for the remainder of the season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the San Francisco Chronicle reported that he signed to receive the pro-rated veteran's minimum of $1.2 million (approximately $570,000). That offer came after a rejected offer by the Los Angeles Lakers who were trying to coax Webber in with two, 10-day contracts so they could decide afterwards if they wanted him the rest of the season.

Prior to entering the NBA Webber attended the University of Michigan for two years. While in college at Michigan University, he led the group of players known as the Fab Five, which included himself, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson. This group, all of whom entered Michigan as freshmen in the fall of 1991, took the basketball team to the NCAA finals twice, losing both times.

The Fab Five, sporting long, baggy shorts and black shoes, became immensely popular as they were seen as bringing a hip hop flavor to the game. Four of the Fab Five (Webber, Rose, Howard, and King) made it to the NBA, and two of them (Webber and Howard) are still playing today.

Webber has always put up big numbers. His career averages are 20.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. The bottom line is Webber gave his all to the sport and the NBA with his talent and suffered physically. The result being due to crooked referees he left the game and the league without what he fought so hard to win. He gave it his all but it is most likely that what he was working for was taken away from him.... an NBA TITLE and NBA TITLE RING.